Canton council approves climate action plan. Here’s what to know

• Canton city officials have adopted a new climate action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• The plan focuses on making municipal buildings and transportation more energy efficient.
• A community survey revealed that many residents are already feeling the effects of climate change.
• Electricity use is the largest source of emissions, both municipally and community-wide.
• The plan is designed to evolve over time, with progress measured by emissions trends and program participation.

CANTON – Many residents say they feel the effects of climate change right in their backyard: extreme temperatures, droughts, unusual weather patterns and poor air quality. 

City officials are hoping to do their part in curbing climate impacts through a newly adopted plan, what officials call the logical next step to “go green.” 

The 2026 Canton Climate Action and Sustainability Plan primarily focuses on what city officials can do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with an emphasis on municipal buildings and transportation.  

At a March 16 council meeting, members approved the document, which will be implemented as an amendment to the city’s comprehensive plan. The plan was guided by Canton Director of Public Service John Highman in conjunction with Nutter Consulting. Council members John Mariol and Robert Fisher also played a part in development.  

“This conversation is not going to go away anytime soon and I think it’s a great thing for the city,” Mayor William V. Sherer II said of the plan at the March 9 city council meeting. 

Here are four things to know about the 150-page plan: 

1. Canton officials outline climate goals  

In the plan, goals to be achieved in the next year or two are outlined. The plan touches on a range of topics from solar energy to community gardens, green spaces and electric vehicles.

Mariol said the overall goal is to offset the impacts of climate change in Canton, while making things more affordable for residents.

“This is about lowering the costs that our residents pay, alleviating the pressure on their pocketbooks,” he said. “In turn, by doing that, we also do our part to hopefully slow down this change of climate.”

Here’s some near-term priorities, according to the plan:

• Boost participation in renewable energy programs, research aggregation and large-scale solar and make municipal buildings more energy efficient.
• Buy more city electric vehicles, install additional chargers and improve access to public transportation.
• Increase recycling access, expand composting programs and educate residents and businesses on waste reduction.
• Plant more trees, maintain existing parks and plan green infrastructure and reuse projects.
• Research water-saving practices for city operations, educate on efficient water use and improve stormwater infrastructure.
• Expand fresh food access and support community gardens.
• Provide air quality information and alerts for residents. Consider air quality in transportation and energy initiatives.

At the March 9 council meeting, Canton Planning Administrator Matt Bailey outlined some of the ways Canton has already worked toward reducing emissions. For example, the city has converted to LED lighting, installed electric vehicle chargers and purchased the city’s first electric vehicle in March 2024. 

2. More than 200 community members helped shape the plan 

The plan’s development began in September 2024 when Canton hired California-based Nutter Consulting for $132,530. 

Since then, officials have conducted workshops for stakeholders and residents, as well as a community-member survey.  

The survey, which launched in August 2025, asked residents 16 questions. The city received 211 responses, which revealed many community members said they already feeling the impact of climate change. 

Respondents observed extreme temperatures (61%), shifting weather patterns (47%), longer dry periods (42%) and increased days with poor air quality (40%).  

One-third of respondents also reported personal impacts, including health issues and storm-related power outages (19%). 

3. Most emissions are coming from electric use 

The plan outlines where most greenhouse gas emissions in the community come from, pointing to electric-use as a major factor.

On a municipal level, a majority (71%) came from municipal building electricity use. The next highest was gas, diesel and other fuels at 10%.  

Community-wide, industrial facilities are the top category in emission productions at 64%, then residential (18%) which tied with commercial (18%). 

About half of the community-wide emissions came from electricity use.

Highman has said electricity bills at water and sewer facilities in Canton have increased drastically over the past year, contributing to the recent need for consumer rate increases. The Water Reclamation Facility’s electric bill increased by $700,000 in 2025. Other water operating facility’s eletric bills went up $230,000 in 2025.  

4. The plan will evolve over time  

Officials describe the climate plan as a living document, subject to change over time. 

Progress will be measured by community-wide greenhouse gas emission trends and participation in environmental programs. The city plans to provide regular public updates. 

At the March 9 council meeting, Councilman Bill Smuckler asked if there would be federal grants available for climate-related causes, given recent federal roll backs for climate-related programs.

Mariol said for now, the city can start small. For example, the city may be able to provide grants to help insulate residents’ houses. When summers get hotter, reducing energy needed to cool a house also means reducing emissions. 

Additionally, planting more trees in the area would help lower surface temperatures throughout the city. A lawn mower exchange program could allow residents to trade their old gas mowers in for a newer electric one. 

If federal funds do become available, the city will be equipped to properly apply for grants that would enable it to tackle larger projects.

“Little things like that can make an impact in our community,” Mariol said. “It can help lower costs for our residents, and it can improve air quality and just our experience with our everchanging climate.” 

Contact Abreanna Blose by email at ablose@usatodayco.com or by phone at 330-580-8513.