Miami Valley Region Priority and Comprehensive Climate Action Plans

Climate Action Plan

Miami Valley Region plans bold steps to cut emissions and boost resilience

Client

Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission

Population

816,500

Schedule

2024-2025

The Problem

How can the Miami Valley Region dramatically cut emissions from all emitting sectors, and particularly from buildings and transportation while building a more resilient, affordable, equitable energy system?

The Problem

How can the Miami Valley Region dramatically cut emissions from buildings and transportation while building a more resilient, affordable, and equitable energy system?

20%

of households in the region struggle to pay their energy bills

28k

kWh average annual household energy use in Miami Valley, 2x the Ohio annual household average

The Solution

SSG worked with the Region to develop the Community First Energy Plan to target the region’s largest sources of emissions—buildings and transportation—while reducing energy costs in vulnerable communities and expanding rooftop and community solar energy. The Plan’s priorities were shaped by public input through surveys, focus groups, listening sessions and other events.  

The Plan outlines actions that support moving from planning to action, identifying ways that local governments, businesses, residents, neighbourhood associations, and other groups can contribute to achieving their collective vision for placing the Community First.  Key actions include improving building performance through standards, retrofits, and electrification programs, as well as adopting cleaner transportation options. These efforts are backed by a green finance strategy and strengthened through local leadership initiatives.

The Outcome

The project identified:

70%

of energy potentially supplied by solar

$3.6k

savings in annual household energy costs

106k

additional person years of employment

*by 2050, relative to a business-as-usual scenario, under full implementation of the Community-First Energy Plan.

Outcome

Key Takeaways

Climate action is good for business.

The Community First Energy Plan identifies major investment opportunities across sectors—from HVAC and construction to finance and design. About half of the total GHG emissions reductions deliver net financial benefits, meaning that the savings outweigh the costs. Additionally, 65% of the reductions will be achieved at a cost that is lower than the estimated damages caused by each ton of CO₂ released (social cost of carbon).

Making homes more comfortable boosts resilience and lowers energy bills.

In response to low-income residents’s concerns about drafty, old housing, a core focus of the plan is retrofitting the region’s aging housing stock. Directing investment towards improving energy efficiency such as better insulation, efficient appliances, and improved ventilation will cut energy costs, reduce indoor air pollution, and boost resilience to extreme weather and outages.

Improving transportation systems improves air quality.

Expanding accessible and affordable means of transportation was another key priority from public engagement sessions. Electrifying public transit, improving EV charging infrastructure, and improving active (walking and cycling) infrastructure will not only result in cleaner air — with more than 87% drop in PM2.5 emissions–, but also increase accessibility and connectivity between communities.

Contact Us

Have questions about our services or want to know more about how we can help you?