Protection of Natural Resources

Apex and its surrounding areas offer spectacular beauty. It is my goal to preserve this beauty for future generations of Apex residents. To achieve this, we need to establish strong policies and zoning requirements that prioritize resource conservation and guide development accordingly.

 

Environmental Protection

To promote conservation I will promote enhancements to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) in the following areas:

  • On-site resource conservation ⁃ Expand requirements for on-site resource conservation areas (RCAs) to protect natural resources in developing areas.
  • Increase buffer requirements - Preserve mature green spaces through extended tree buffers, in particular around wetlands.
  • Limit impervious surfaces - Strengthen requirements that limit the maximum buildable area within new developments and seek alternatives to building practices or materials to minimize water run-off.
  • Improve stormwater management - Raise standards for on-site stormwater management to preserve water quality and prevent flooding of lower-lying areas.
  • Increase public green spaces - Encourage the development community to include green spaces, parklets and/or greenways in their site plans. Supplement with town investments in greenway connectivity and new or revitalized public parks.

These measures capitalize on progress made in recent years and help ensure Apex retains its beauty despite its growth and planned developments.

 

Fossil Fuel Replacement

Approximately 51% of the electric power purchased by Apex from Duke Energy is derived from fossil fuels. Additionally, the majority of vehicles on Apex roads are powered by gasoline. Decades of research have left little room for doubt that the burning of fossil fuels significantly contributes to climate change. Fortunately, viable alternatives exist. I am supportive of policies aimed at reducing fossil fuel consumption, increasing renewable energy generation, and curbing peak energy demand.

 

To promote renewable energy generation, I advocate for widespread installation of solar panels on residential, commercial, and public buildings. Additionally, I propose investing in town-owned solar farms to supplement or replace the power obtained from Duke Energy. In parallel, I endorse policies and investments that enhance the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, making EVs a more feasible alternative to gas-powered vehicles. Recently, I successfully advocated for stricter UDO requirements regarding EV charger installations, particularly for high-density residential developments. However, I still believe that the current UDO requirements fall short of meeting the long-term needs of Apex residents.

 

In addition to sustainable power generation, it is crucial to address power demand and the consumer behaviors that drive it. Currently, Apex employs a single flat rate for electricity, which offers no incentive for residents to be mindful of their power usage throughout the day. To address this, I propose implementing an alternate "time-of-use" rate structure. This revised structure would entail higher electricity rates during peak hours and lower rates during off-peak hours. By encouraging residents to shift power usage, such as EV charging, to off-peak times, they can take advantage of lower rates and reduce their electric bills. This approach would help to distribute power usage more evenly throughout the day and alleviate peak loads on the electric system. Consequently, Duke Energy could scale back its generation capacity, beginning with coal and gas-powered plants.

 

I firmly believe that the combined impact of implementing these measures will significantly reduce our reliance on "dirty" electricity and contribute to a healthier and more sustainable environment.