EPA has refreshed and updated Local Action Framework: A Guide to Help Communities Achieve Energy and Environmental Goals. Local and tribal governments are doing the hard work of implementing energy and environmental programs on a community level: reducing air pollution, improving air quality, lowering energy costs, supporting local economic development, improving public health, and increasing energy system reliability. This guide is intended to help make that hard, complicated work a little easier.
The guide is designed to help local and tribal governments plan, implement, and evaluate new or existing energy or environmental projects. It is intended for small and medium-sized communities and tribes, although the information may also be relevant for larger jurisdictions or states embarking on similar projects. And while the guide is focused on the project level, the information may also be relevant for programs or policies.
This guide is based on best practices identified by EPA through the Agency’s extensive work with local and tribal governments. EPA recognizes that each local and tribal government is an expert in its own community; however, given the Agency’s experience working with many local and tribal governments, it is well-positioned to share information and lessons across the country. EPA solicited feedback on this guide from a range of state and local government stakeholders.
The guide covers six energy and environmental project implementation phases:
Engage and Communicate
Develop a Greenhouse Gas Inventory
Set Goals and Select Actions
Obtain Resources
Take Action
Track and Report
Check it out for yourself: https://www.epa.gov/statelocalenergy/local-action-framework-guide-help-communities-achieve-energy-and-environmental