Creating the City of Appleton’s Sustainability and Resilience Master Plan

Over the past decade, Appleton has accelerated its sustainability efforts. The city achieved its goal of reducing municipal energy use by 25% earlier than planned, installed solar and geothermal systems in key facilities, and introduced renewable energy at the wastewater treatment plant through biogas boilers and waste heat-to-power technology. Plans are now underway to transition Valley Transit to zero-emission buses with supporting clean energy infrastructure.

In 2019, Appleton's City Council adopted a climate action resolution and created a volunteer-led Sustainability Advisory Panel to drive community engagement in environmental initiatives. While these accomplishments are significant, the city sees the need for a unified strategy. Appleton is developing its first Sustainability and Resilience Master Plan to coordinate projects, track progress, and prioritize investments. This plan, supported by consultants at paleBLUEdot, aims to prepare the city for challenges like extreme weather, flooding, and public health impacts.