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Closures of City Infrastracture or Buildings

Four closures of City infrastructure had a high probability of being weather related in fiscal year 2024. Examples of closures include facilities, roads, and services like electricity and water. This is the first year city-owned infrastructure closures were tracked for these purposes and we are updating our tracking methodology to increase reporting consistency across the [...]

Carbon Emissions

Before COVID, carbon emissions from City operations were trending downwards and on track to meet our 2% annual reduction goal, but not the 4% annual reduction goal. As employees have shifted back to office-based work, and the number of City employees has increased, emissions have increased. Employee commute, electricity use, and fleet fuels are all [...]

electrify buncombe logo

Electrify ABC

Electrify Asheville-Buncombe County is a pilot program supporting home energy efficiency and electrification upgrades as one way to move toward the City supported goal of powering Buncombe county with 100% renewable energy by 2042.

text over emergency lights that says September is Emergency Preparedness Month

September is Emergency Preparedness Month: Blue skies actions help to build resiliency for neighborhoods and families

As changes in climate continue to impact our local weather patterns, the Asheville region expects more frequent and more intense weather events. There are actions we can take individually and as a community that will help build our resilience during emergency events and that will also support in “blue skies” times.  Blue-skies actions, meaning the good [...]

trees and houses

City of Asheville launches Tree Inventory as part of Urban Forest Master Plan

The City of Asheville is embarking on a comprehensive tree inventory as part of its Urban Forest Master Plan to safeguard and enhance the urban forest. Over the next several weeks, arborists will conduct a thorough assessment of public trees located in the right-of-way, typically the area between the sidewalk and street. This public [...]

house under construction

Sustainability Department shares results of sustainability rebates survey

Thanks to everyone who took our sustainability building rebates survey! We are writing to give a quick update on the findings of the survey.  We received a total of 34 responses and 65% of respondents don’t currently participate in the rebate program, mostly because they didn’t know that the program existed.  Regarding potential changes to the rebate [...]

white styrofoam cup and green plastic bag with word plastic reduction initiative

Single-use plastic reduction initiative comes to a close

It is the City of Asheville’s mission to support a thriving local economy and a clean, healthy environment. Community cleanliness was identified by City Council as an area of concern and in October 2022, Asheville City Council directed the Sustainability Department to take a phased approach to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic.  The first phase [...]