June 6, 2024
A life in the Sierra is a life of adventure, full of outdoor recreation opportunities, exploration, and connection to the forest ecosystem. Yet, today’s climate challenges present unique hurdles, such as a dwindling snowpack and a heightened risk for wildfires. As residents and visitors of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding region, safeguarding our communities and the environment is imperative.
Collectively, we can contribute by adhering to fire district recommendations, being mindful of our power consumption, fortifying our homes, and transitioning to electrified living spaces. Community leaders are doing their part as well.
The Climate Transformation Alliance (CTA) initiates dialogue and action by uniting businesses, organizations, and individuals in forging solutions. Governed by partner agencies that include the Town of Truckee, the Truckee Tahoe Airport, and the Truckee Donner PUD, the CTA, developed in 2021, is a regional public-private partnership committed to fostering resilience, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (a leading cause of rising global temperatures), and promoting sustainable economic development.
The group acknowledges the distinctive challenges faced by the Truckee/North Lake Tahoe region, as emphasized in the Sierra Nevada section of California’s 4th Climate Assessment. This assessment underscores the prevalence of intense wildfires, shifts in precipitation patterns, and consequential impacts on ecosystems and water supply within our area.
“Most other regions are not worried about wildfire, but we really are. So that had to be part of our vision because it has such a huge impact on us here,” said Anna Klovsadt at a CTA meeting at the Lift Workspace, where she explained CTA’s mission and vision. “That is one example of why [our approach] is so much more multi-layered than just carbon reduction.”
Anna was integral in launching the CTA, along with David Diamond of the Truckee Tahoe Airport board and Christa Finn of the Truckee Donner PUD board.
The CTA’s mission is to achieve net carbon neutrality in the Truckee North Lake Tahoe region by 2045, a focused goal reliant on community partnerships. With the help of the Sierra Business Council, they are creating opportunities for collaboration to reduce regional GHG emissions, enhance climate resilience, and engage in joint data aggregation, policy analysis, and public education.
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTION
The alliance’s initiatives comprise Technical Support and Capacity Development, Research and Knowledge Management, and Public Education and Advocacy. Here’s a look at what they are doing.
Engaging Builders
The Truckee Tahoe Building Decarbonization Program
Building decarbonization is the process of reducing or eliminating the carbon emissions produced by buildings. This typically involves transitioning away from using fossil fuels like natural gas or oil for heating, cooling, and powering appliances and using cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
Launched in 2023, CTA’s Building Decarbonization Pilot Program educates and trains the building workforce through outreach and complimentary electrification coaching. The program received a $500,000 grant from a private benefactor to help in its execution. The goal is to unite local HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and general contractors and builders in achieving a carbon-neutral community, as they play an essential role in designing building elements that align with decarbonization efforts.
Learn more about free training and incentive opportunities for Truckee Tahoe contractors by emailing cta@sierrabusiness.org.
Engaging Community Members
Accelerator and Community Event
Local groups have already been engaged to help further CTA’s goals. Last November, the CTA’s Accelerator event brought community members together to brainstorm and collaborate on potential projects that support CTA’s goal.
At the event, teams pitched their climate-resilience program ideas, which were honed through multiple meetings and with the assistance of coaches. Presentations included networked geothermal systems, the establishment of a local carbon offset market, and a carbon accounting initiative tailored for natural and working lands. Winners took home a share of $50,000 — generously donated by the Tahoe Truckee Airport District — to execute their programs.
The winning team, Wood Is Good, received $20,000 to support the Northstar Community Services District’s proposed biomass facility to process woody fuel into heat for local buildings. CTA supports the initiative. “We have all this fuel, and we need to use it,” said Anna.
The Waste Diversion Divas won 2nd place focusing on food composting, pitching ideas for public education and outreach. Their Food Waste Diversion in Truckee-Tahoe project won $10,000 to facilitate local at-home composting opportunities.
Town of Truckee Dark Sky Incentive Program
Launched at the beginning of April during International Dark Skies Week, the Town of Truckee Dark Sky Incentive Program includes rebates for dark sky-compliant and energy-efficient outdoor lighting for Truckee residents and businesses. The SBC worked with the Town under the CTA umbrella to initiate the program.
Engaging the Region
Regional Resilience Grant Program Award
Along with the Sierra Business Council, Nevada County, and the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe, CTA governing partners are expanding climate resilience efforts to the Central Sierra Region. The Office of Planning and Research granted funding through the Regional Resilience Grant Program for the collaborative Building Climate Resilience in the Central Sierra Region project. Initiatives include expanding CTA’s programs, establishing a climate collaborative in western Nevada County, formulating a Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan (CARP) for Nevada County, and providing unrestricted funding for the Nisenan Tribe to build capacity and climate resiliency, participate in the new western county climate collaborative, and help develop the CARP by embedding Indigenous knowledge.
Get Involved
CTA membership is open to local governments, community organizations, businesses, and citizens who endorse their charter, which can be found at sierrabusiness.org/archives/climate-transformation-alliance.
The CTA meets on the 2nd Friday of each quarter from 9–11 a.m., with 9–9:15 a.m. designated for networking and refreshments. Join them on July 12 and October 11 at the Truckee Tahoe Airport.
To learn more about the Climate Transformation Alliance, contact Sierra Business Council’s Climate and Energy Project Managers, Kaeleigh Reynolds and Tallulah Pellissier Lloyd, at cta@sierrabusiness.org.
