Student fellow presents Marquette climate action plan framework; public engagement and greenhouse‑gas inventory planned

A student selected for a rural leadership fellowship presented a draft framework for a Marquette climate action plan at the March 30 commission meeting and said the plan will center on a government‑operations greenhouse‑gas inventory and seven focus areas.

"A climate action plan is a strategy document that sets goals and outlines a set of initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions," Anna Tsley told commissioners. She said the plan will align with the city’s 2050 climate resolution, include an executive summary and emissions inventory, and present a matrix analyzing cost‑effectiveness for recommended actions.

Tsley said she is funded through a rural leadership fellowship and that the work uses free EPA tools and Energy Star resources. She outlined planned public engagement: an online survey of roughly 30 questions, open‑draft comment periods, open houses, and targeted outreach such as school‑event tabling to increase participation.

Commissioners praised the work and asked about funding and where findings will be presented; staff replied the fellowship provides a stipend, Northern Michigan University and its foundation support the effort, and the completed plan will be reviewed by city staff and brought before the commission for adoption.

Outcome: Presentation accepted; staff and the fellow will conduct the greenhouse‑gas inventory and public engagement and return a draft for staff review and subsequent commission consideration.