Sustainability and Clean Energy

Guiding Principles

Develop a resilient community for energy and other utilities using clean energy technologies, reducing consumption, and reusing local resources onsite.
Implement infrastructure solutions that are flexible and scalable over 50 years, including developing the site to be adaptable to future technological needs.
Deliver a model of efficient energy and water usage that minimizes Rice Creek Commons’ impact on the environment.
Create an economically competitive and attractive environment for developers and businesses to create a vibrant community with multi-modal transportation options.

Current Status

Through a Request for Proposals process in late 2023, the JDA selected the consultant team of Ever-Green Energy and LHB to analyze implementation strategies for the JDA’s Green Energy Vision. The consultants worked over the year to understand the feasibility of developing a sustainable, carbon-free community. Their work consisted of a comprehensive analysis of the energy demands of the planned development, a review of strategies to reduce that energy demand (primarily through energy-efficient building design), and a study of renewable energy technologies to meet the remaining energy demand. As a part of this process, consultants and staff met with project developers to discuss these strategies and financing solutions to support them.

After a review of sustainability certification systems, in August the JDA approved the Energy Advisory Committee’s recommendation to pursue LEED for Communities certification for the project. This globally recognized standard establishes benchmarks for energy efficiency and sustainability. Achieving this certification will guide the project in meeting its ambitious energy and environmental goals while ensuring accountability through independent third-party verification.

Ever-Green Energy and LHB presented an energy analysis at the October 2024 JDA work session and a final report, the Clean Energy Analysis Report, was accepted by the JDA at the November 2024 meeting. The report outlines potential options for clean energy solutions to power the site, including geothermal, solar, and community district energy systems. One key finding is that it is technically feasible for the development to be all-electric (installing no natural gas connections), which would enable it to be a carbon-free community. It also identifies strategies for minimizing building energy use, incorporating additional sustainability measures, and financing options.

Based on these findings, in November 2024 the JDA approved a Clean Energy Policy Statement: Rice Creek Commons seeks to be an all-electric, carbon-free community. The JDA also directed staff to identify steps to implement this policy and provide updates back to the JDA. As such, staff worked with consultants to finalize Sustainability Design Guidelines which describe specific ways for developers to meet these ambitious sustainability and clean energy goals. The Sustainability Design Guidelines were approved by the JDA in January 2025.