[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6487969,"mediaKeyId","5483525-2a86972c94052d7b2effcb479d69d91e","parentId",5483525,"title","GreenSense rebates rose after funding boost; staff report 776,388 kWh saved and 444 metric tons CO2e avoided","audioSeconds",624,"startMs",1375000,"endMs",1999000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5483525-2a86972c94052d7b2effcb479d69d91e&start=1375&end=1999","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5483525-2a86972c94052d7b2effcb479d69d91e/thumbnail_1375000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6487969/Denton-City/Denton-County/Texas/GreenSense-rebates-rose-after-funding-boost-staff-report-776388-kWh-saved-and-444-metric-tons-CO2e-avoided","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487969-40db1f9b2f5285764452b0ecc7dee361/orig.mp4?Expires=1770506925&Signature=I1d99WHisUlttePBgFe2YefHy7HhEDQFqKybhqph8eYFScEU6iTiluibpdTY2Xzp8l7y4ZUypdjLY9NMCng5qR05q4jv4i02VdYTNQ0sV1VJpXucIeJXJ1FxRobtBD5r5bTUh-VSGMPHdyxLZX4jRDYWF7lcHppTbpnqvKsBzg8lXjAlMAsCYnLVxgQHMmNjIjWCWoPc1Xnw5ItJfRuAqpGmGxeOa-tcW6bqP4fxp6e40wPsdpS4-YYfPJa8e4aih75LYSkb0j-JBhN~5y6IpFTZqfUIiS7E0jtQKuvu2aRVdIMhMM4czmXoKwKWgJyQohgqUMeuVEEtmUuve-XWnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Denton","date","2025-07-25T00:00:00Z","article","Caitlin Davis, an environmental services coordinator, presented results for Denton City’s GreenSense Energy Efficiency Incentive Program on July 25, reporting a significant increase in rebate awards and estimated energy and greenhouse-gas reductions after program changes in fiscal year 2023–24.

Davis said the GreenSense program, administered by the Environmental Services and Sustainability Division and funded through Denton Municipal Electric (DME), began in February 2009 and focuses on building-envelope and building-system retrofits. She told the committee the program’s annual budget grew from $250,000 to $1,000,000 for FY2023–24 and that incentive levels were increased for the measures with the largest estimated energy savings.

Davis reported that between FY2023 and FY2024 the total number of energy-efficiency rebates increased 118%, which staff attributed to the funding increase, higher incentive levels, improved online processing and stepped-up outreach including social media, utility-bill ads and flyers. Staff said the program added HVAC tune-up rebates, weatherization kits and dedicated funding for fan giveaways targeted to renters; EV and e-bike incentives have been moved to a separate framework fund this fiscal year.

On outcomes, Davis and staff presented the program’s energy and emissions estimates for two large retrofit categories. They reported a combined reduction of 776,388 kilowatt hours from HVAC and insulation retrofits in the measured period, which staff converted to an estimated 444 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent using U.S. EPA methods. Davis said staff used residential load calculations and DME rates to estimate annual bill savings.

Staff also presented cost-effectiveness measures: several high-impact retrofit types were compared by estimated cost per kilowatt-hour reduced. Staff noted the calculations are for the first year of equipment operation rather than lifetime savings and that further analysis is in progress.

Committee members asked for more granular cost-per-dollar impact data — for example, gross installed cost versus rebates and kWh reductions per dollar — so the committee can better target incentive levels. Members also asked about program reach: staff said most rebates went to homes built in 2009 or earlier and that landlords and small property managers (including some 10-unit properties) sometimes participate. Davis said GreenSense has worked with multiple installers and that outreach to HOAs, employer lunch-and-learns, neighborhood Facebook groups and targeted postcards were being used or considered to raise participation.

On spending, staff said they had spent about $600,000 through June 30 and roughly $700,000 including commitments since then; staff noted the FY24–25 figures exclude EV and e-bike incentives that were moved to the framework fund (about $140,000 of spend in the prior year). Staff listed next steps including tracking additional program metrics, improving data collection, and continuing to monitor budget discussions with city council. No formal action was taken.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Denton - Sustainability Framework Advisory Committee on 2025-07-25 1:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Caitlin Davis, an environmental services coordinator, told the Denton City Sustainability Committee that GreenSense rebates rose sharply after a budget increase from $250,000 to $1,000,000 and that staff estimate HVAC and insulation retrofits reduced electricity use by about 776,388 kWh and greenhouse-gas emissions by about 444 metric tons CO2e.","taxTitle","Denton City, Denton County, Texas","taxId",2787,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6487973,"Committee reviews Simply Sustainable Framework update, asks for clearer public framing and alignment with other plans",916,123000,1039000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5483525-2a86972c94052d7b2effcb479d69d91e&start=123&end=1039","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5483525-2a86972c94052d7b2effcb479d69d91e/thumbnail_123000.jpg","/articles/6487973/Denton-City/Denton-County/Texas/Committee-reviews-Simply-Sustainable-Framework-update-asks-for-clearer-public-framing-and-alignment-with-other-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487973-dcc75291c5245ad55389761e0bb5161f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770506925&Signature=otiCFMG-HL3IP~KiowBDCEVZPNs7TkMlJegCcgvN~s9Fm43Yx-xhKVFcAEprs0g~j35zgirTpW4jMuVYPEe4NVddf7eIQjDfYFIt6mDFjqxUrZJp-6UYmR1AG86wdQDTijX-hQbEgbIQB~fPaCSqhHoUfWQIJher9lXjgXwHnxGLA0Xj32FuKt8STkWTOwLxlh6laG7yacMTcZ5ewSwdme0yLVzy5N5Gu0l92GgMwD7pvs8IncmSE1qmb5ruFXFCfUn-FjjopngrYcvFTQW3tOw7z85chVpJHKjiv0dEBOd35yHdxoOTS93SQMjM2mV6AlN57Vr1qN8eqmLuUi8z~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Julissa Amador, senior program coordinator in the Environmental Services and Sustainability Department, presented an update to Denton City’s Simply Sustainable Framework on July 25, outlining a draft that reduces the framework to two core goals and seeks alignment with plans adopted since 2020.

The committee was shown that goal 1 is focused on municipal operations — reducing the environmental footprint of city operations, assets and facilities — and goal 2 on community impact, reducing barriers so residents can adopt sustainable behaviors. Amador said the draft is a working document intended to guide planning for the next five years: “we're gonna review the draft that was aimed at backup and receive feedback and talk about next steps,” she said.

Committee members pressed staff to add clearer, public-facing context in the draft. One member asked for the supportive “preamble” language that appeared in the previous 2020 framework — short vision and principles that help a casual reader understand the motivations behind the update. Another member recommended adding language tying municipal and community strategies more explicitly to the Climate Action Plan and other master plans so readers can see why the update matters.

Members also asked for specific edits and additions to the draft strategies. Questions and suggestions raised during the discussion included:

- Adding property tax exemption incentives for residents who install renewable energy systems and explicitly listing battery storage under those incentives; staff said they would include community-side incentives as feedback.

- Clarifying how municipal pilots — such as Parks’ electric lawn equipment trials and landfill-gas-to-energy work presented earlier by Solarbase — will be reflected in the municipal operations strategies.

- Cross-referencing existing plans with their own metrics (for example the Urban Forest Master Plan, the 2040 Mobility Plan, parks and water plans) so the framework does not duplicate effort but aligns with departmental targets.

On technical and programmatic items, committee members asked whether a previously scheduled city risk and vulnerability assessment was completed. Amador and staff replied the 2020 assessment was only partially completed; staff said a preliminary report exists and can be shared: “we have a preliminary report that we could forward to you,” she said, adding that the original effort was not finished because staff groups could not be convened to complete the work.

Members also questioned whether the city would adopt updated building-energy codes. Katharine Barnett, sustainability manager, said she and building inspections are “looking at the newest International Energy Conservation Code and those amendments that are approved with COB to adopt that, and maybe the 2024 version, I believe.”

Committee members recommended including the greenhouse-gas inventory explicitly as a tracking measure in the framework. Staff responded that the inventory is a separate analytic product and that work on the 2023 inventory will begin soon; the inventory will inform the Climate Action Plan progress measures.

Staff asked for written feedback on the draft and said they would incorporate the committee’s suggested edits and return with a revised draft and next steps. No formal action was taken on the framework during the meeting.","Denton City staff presented a draft update to the 2020 Simply Sustainable Framework focused on two primary goals — municipal operations and community impact — and committee members asked for clearer public-facing language, alignment with other plans and clarification on unfinished risk and greenhouse-gas work.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6487966,"Climate Action Plan dashboard shows progress; committee requests greenhouse-gas inventory updates and risk assessment details",1305,2731000,4036000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5483525-2a86972c94052d7b2effcb479d69d91e&start=2731&end=4036","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5483525-2a86972c94052d7b2effcb479d69d91e/thumbnail_2731000.jpg","/articles/6487966/Denton-City/Denton-County/Texas/Climate-Action-Plan-dashboard-shows-progress-committee-requests-greenhouse-gas-inventory-updates-and-risk-assessment-details","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487966-e2d32ee11d6ea9516a39a42f2b1b9ec3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770506925&Signature=e5gtXja2hV048gaM8Zv8HlS~vrAlnih95WgQxlK0RQ4K3nks-7BbhAahNsdQ8-XR~IIGy3HBMpeb3v3jfxH4FTzUCneh0e0KjmZbVfCnHsCncbfLu1fyQYgxiVwGHS~jSfcDbRsIbo6K1f0HsdH~cMrT6rgvcp44qUaLmmUcpVkBXoxl3cchQANPNygQW04owvrktY3UKIkTlXWqtZ3A4fniJky~L~GiVlSgqCyyMnPsw0KzI23~7~IEl9yR1pHEN9iO5HNcxP4d6Jv8TofYtqJ3ew2iHzkWq7BbqjhyibgaCi~jZ-LdSlbz5wZ5t6P~at73HAJjJBlObf4aF9vPYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Staff provided an update on the Climate Action Plan (CAP) dashboard and related sustainability measures at the July 25 Denton City Sustainability Committee meeting, reporting progress on several metrics while committee members requested follow-up on inventories, modeling and risk assessments.

Staff said rooftop solar capacity increased by about 3.2 megawatts from April 2023 through the end of fiscal 2024, solid-waste diversion rose to 24%, and social media engagement for sustainability messaging increased substantially. On municipal operations staff reported an electric usage decrease of 9.27% and a municipal water decrease of 34%, which staff attributed in part to parks irrigation improvements.

Transportation-related measures also featured in the presentation. Staff said the city added 11 electric vehicles to the municipal fleet and six e-bikes for police use during the year; staff noted funding is available to offset incremental vehicle costs when departments elect EV replacements. The presentation included a map of EV charging stations and a market assessment of EV models available in the market.

Committee members pressed staff to break out which rooftop solar installations were incentivized by the city’s rebate programs and which were market-driven; staff said they would contact Denton Municipal Electric to get a monthly breakdown. Members also asked for a clearer accounting of trails that function as transportation connections versus recreational loops; staff said they would work with the parks department to separate those categories.

On greenhouse-gas inventory and modeling, staff confirmed the 2019 inventory work was completed in 2023 and that a new inventory using 2023 data will begin soon. Members discussed the ICLEI modeling referenced earlier in CAP development — which had shown projected increases in excessive heat days and flood risk — and asked whether flood-risk and climate resiliency planning were adequately reflected in current materials. Staff said the risk and vulnerability assessment started in 2020 was only partially completed but that a preliminary report exists and staff would explore procurement options for completing an updated assessment; whether the assessment requires council-level procurement action would depend on cost and procurement rules.

Several members also requested that Denton Municipal Electric present to the committee when its integrated resource plan and renewable energy policy are complete, and asked staff to evaluate solar rebates, battery-storage incentives, and expanded charger strategies as federal incentives shift. No formal votes were taken on the CAP metrics; staff will follow up with the requested inventories, breakdowns, and procurement information.","Staff reviewed the Climate Action Plan dashboard and reported gains on rooftop solar, diversion rates and municipal energy and water reductions. Committee members asked for an updated greenhouse-gas inventory, clarification on EV and charging data, and for staff to share or pursue a city climate risk and vulnerability assessment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

GreenSense rebates rose after funding boost; staff report 776,388 kWh saved and 444 metric tons CO2e avoided

Committee reviews Simply Sustainable Framework update, asks for clearer public framing and alignment with other plans

Climate Action Plan dashboard shows progress; committee requests greenhouse-gas inventory updates and risk assessment details