Local climate action and adaptation is a relatively new planning consideration. Carefully planned and implemented, it can strengthen local economies, create local jobs, increase county and city tax revenues, and improve essential services.  Local planning is essential because of local differences that cause large local deviations from statewide average energy usage patterns, transportation infrastructure, renewable resource opportunities, environmental concerns, and demographics.

Cities and counties can change the future course of local energy supply and usage.  But they need to have a plan they are committed to implement.  They also need energy expertise on staff.  While analysis can be outsourced, planning must always be done by people who will execute the plan.  The plan needs to account for technology and cost shifts that open pathways for local action to decarbonize electricity and fuel supply and usage.

Timely progress requires strategies for affordable action, that is also beneficial to local economies because residents and businesses will be investing time, making decisions, and bearing the costs under post-COVID economic conditions.