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To commit to working with the City's Administration to [development and implement] develop a [comprehensive] City-wide energy efficiency program that [reduces the] advances equitable reductions in energy burden [and cost of living for vulnerable households, supports small businesses, assists in the preservation of housing and the stabilization of neighborhoods, and makes meaningful], accelerates progress [towards the City's climate goals] toward Richmond's 2050 net-zero goals, and institutionalizes interdepartmental coordination across housing, utilities, and community development. (As Amended)
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WHEREAS, [the] Upon information and belief of Council [recognizes the ongoing housing affordability crisis facing residents, in part due to rising home prices and a lack of affordable units available to rent or own, especially for low-income residents], Richmond residents are facing rising housing and energy costs that place increasing financial pressure on low-income households, renters, and residents of older housing stock; and
[WHEREAS, the Council understands that Virginia residents are at the forefront of increasing energy demands and rising energy costs, driven by the rapid growth of data centers, population growth, economic development, and increased reliance on natural gas, among other things; and]
WHEREAS, upon information and belief of [the] Council, approximately 28,000 households in Richmond, or nearly one-third of all households, are energy-burdened, [defined by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy as spending over 6% of their income on energy costs, compared to an average household spending of 3.1 percent; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 2020-R024, adopted June 8, 2020, the Council recognized the effects of global warming caused by human activity and established a climate action goal to achieve a 45 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 from the 2008 basel...
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