A2Zero Carbon Neutrality Plan

We’ve had plenty of hot days this summer, but what happens to the environment when concrete and asphalt surface temperatures heat well into the 100’s? Keenan Gibbons and his team at SmithGroup wanted to find out and used drones to study heat patterns along Huron Street in Ann Arbor. The research on heat islands has led to some determinations about how to mitigate impact and help move the city towards its carbon neutrality goals. Gibbons joined WEMU's David Fair to explain the research and its findings.

Rental properties in Ann Arbor will soon have to meet new energy efficiency standards. Ann Arbor City Council approved the Green Rental Housing Ordinance on July 16th. Some landlords and housing advocates raised concerns that it will drive rental prices even higher. Missy Stults is director of the city’s Office of Sustainability and Innovations. She says that’s not the case and explains why in her conversation with WEMU's David Fair.

Ann Arbor City Council has made a significant step towards its A2Zero initiative as the Green Rental Housing Ordinance and the formation of the Sustainability Commission have been given the green light. WEMU’s Ana Longoria reports.

Ann Arbor has launched a new program to help people reduce the amount of food they waste at home. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert has this report.

The City of Ann Arbor is looking to merge its Energy and Environmental Commissions into one Sustainability Commission. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert has this report.

City densification, affordable housing, commercial development, sustainable energy — Ann Arbor is contending with a number of important issues that are keeping city officials very busy. WEMU’s Caroline MacGregor talked with Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor about the city’s goals moving forward.

In June of 2020, the City of Ann Arbor adopted its A2Zero Plan. Its goal was to move the city to full carbon neutrality by the year 2030. Under the best of circumstances, it presented a difficult task. With the new administration enacting funding cuts and some new local challenges, it may be nearly impossible to hit the target date. WEMU's David Fair talked with Ann Arbor Energy Commission member John Mirsky about what comes next.

Ann Arbor city operations are now powered by 70% renewable energy — a significant jump over the past five years. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.

The City of Ann Arbor has a new 10-year deal with DTE to replace its gas franchise agreement with a new heating franchise. Negotiators say it’s the first in the nation to include climate and carbon reduction goals. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

The City of Ann Arbor has opened registration for Washtenaw County residents to receive free tree seedlings for their home landscaping. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.