What does a city do with billions of gallons of stormwater runoff?
That's the challenge for the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati as it nears its 2018 EPA Phase 1 mandated consent decree deadline to capture, treat or remove two billion gallons of annual overflows from its combined sewers. Plus, the city must eliminate the overflow of another 100 million gallons from sanitary-only sewers.
In addition to the U.S. EPA, the mandate comes from the state of Ohio EPA and the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO).
MSDGC is not only looking at traditional ways to meet its challenge, but novel ways to control and detain excess water while improving water quality in an innovative plan it calls the Lick Run Alternative, named for the Lick Run watershed that contains the district's largest CSO.
]]>AUSTIN, Texas -- The Austin City Council approved two new wind contracts totaling 291 MW and authorized Austin Energy to negotiate a third wind contract of an additional 200 MW, which if approved will bring Austin Energy's renewable energy portfolio to 30 percent of its generation needs by the end of 2012, well within reach of its 35 percent by 2020 goal.
The new wind projects are near the Texas coast and will produce their highest output during peak demand times in the afternoon throughout the year when generation is needed the most as opposed to West Texas wind that blows primarily during evening hours during the spring and winter. The location of the new wind projects also is in an area with sufficient transmission infrastructure and Austin Energy does not foresee transmission congestion issues similar to wind power from West Texas.
]]>Bicycle riders are a regular fixture in Corvallis - so much so that the city can now boast the largest percentage of bicycle commuters in the United States.
The U.S. Census Bureau announced in a recent release that 9.3 percent of Corvallis residents bike to work, the largest percentage in the nation. The finding was discovered through a American Community Survey conducted in 2009.
]]>The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Transportation Planning Capacity Building Program requests nominations for the 2012 Transportation Planning Excellence Awards. The award program, sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), in partnership with the Transportation Research Board, recognizes outstanding initiatives across the country to develop, plan, and implement innovative transportation planning practices. Nominations for individuals or organizations that used FHWA/FTA funding to develop a plan, project, or planning process that demonstrates excellence in planning will be accepted. Winners will represent a variety of planning organizations from across the county, and will receive awards at the Transportation Research Board Summer Meeting in 2012.
The application period will be open from October 1, 2011 through December 1, 2011. For more information, visit www.planning.dot.gov/tpea2012.
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State and local officials interested in additional information about developing and implementing cost-effective climate and energy strategies that help further environmental goals and achieve public health and economic benefits may visit: http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate.
Several Republican presidential candidates — Texas Gov. Rick Perry at the fore — are dismissing climate change as a concoction of misguided or self-serving scientists.
But a growing number of Main Street and regional business leaders, types often viewed as Republican-leaning, are taking the issue ever-more seriously, if not to save the world, at least to serve their bottom lines.
Each year the American Chamber of Commerce Executives, Partners for Livable Communities and the Institute for Sustainable Development give out "Green Plus" awards to local chambers and communities that have launched exemplary, communitywide efforts to "go green" with varieties of carbon-saving initiatives. Winners for 2011 include Cleveland, Chattanooga, Tenn., Savannah, Ga., North Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Gatlinburg, Tenn.
]]>Monday night was a big moment for sustainable transportation in Cleveland.
With a small group of helmet-toting onlookers in the wings, the City Council finally gave their nod to a complete streets ordinance — the culmination of more than five years’ struggle.
Finally, there was a sense that change was coming, that the value of traveling by foot, bike and bus was valued and understood.
]]>Back in June, the state Legislature further complicated Portland's plans for an Oregon Sustainability Center when House Republicans refused to authorize bonding for the project amid questions.
At the time, Portland leaders hadn't committed officially to its share of funding for the project, a joint venture with Portland State University.
Next week, however, Mayor Sam Adams will introduce an agreement that would bind the city to ownership of one portion of the project -- and authorize the Portland Development Commission to pay 50 percent of architectural and engineering costs, according to a press release issued by the mayor's office this morning. The vote is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 21.
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A high-powered investment coalition assembled by Richard Branson, the eccentric British billionaire, is offering Sacramento a shot at hundreds of jobs through a $100 million energy-efficiency program.
Sacramento is one of two cities chosen by Branson's nonprofit Carbon War Room group for a privately financed effort to retrofit office buildings and other commercial properties. The other city is Miami; the program would total $650 million.
Could Seattle’s sewer pipes provide energy for nearby buildings? King County government hopes to find out.
King County Executive Dow Constantine wants King County government to work with Seattle-based developer FreeHold Group LLC., to see if heat can be captured from sewage pipelines and redistributed as energy to heat and cool buildings in Seattle’s Interbay neighborhood.
]]>As rising sea levels eat away at the California coastline over the next century, the advancing ocean could cause hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to beach communities as tourism and tax revenue is swept away, according to a state-commissioned study released Tuesday.
As climate change warms and expands the ocean, increased storm damage and erosion will narrow the state's beaches and diminish their appeal to both tourists and wildlife, economists at San Francisco State predict.
]]>In its first month, Boston’s European-style bicycle sharing-system pedaled past expectations, attracting riders more than twice as fast as similar programs in Denver and Minneapolis.
As of Aug. 28, the one-month mark, the program known as Hubway had attracted 2,319 annual subscribers and witnessed 36,612 station-to-station trips. At its current clip, the system is on track to surpass 100,000 rides before Halloween.
The Bloomberg administration has selected Alta Bicycle Share to bring an ambitious bike-share program to New York, the city’s latest foray into transforming its streets to make them more hospitable to cyclists and pedestrians.
The announcement was made Wednesday afternoon at a press conference at a pedestrian plaza in the Flatiron district, where a sample bike station — a kiosk and a rack of sturdy, utilitarian bicycles — was on display.
]]>McKinstry is making energy improvements to 66 of the City of Boulder’s facilities which include solar PV and thermal systems, water conservation measures, building envelope and lighting controls improvements as well as mechanical retrofits and re-commissioning. The projects are part of a three-phase Energy Savings Performance Contract in partnership with the Governor’s Energy Office and McKinstry’s Colorado team.
The first two phases of the project will save, in total, more than $507,504 in utility costs, $47,191 in maintenance costs, and will avoid 5,772 tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year. By the time Phase 3 is completed in 2012, the city will have installed over 1.1 MW of solar PV and will be reducing its baseline energy consumption by nearly 25%.
The city is leveraging ARRA funds, Xcel Energy rebates and renewable energy credits, and other grants from the Colorado Carbon Fund to help fund the $15 million in improvements. Much of the work was performed by local workers - creating or preserving over 200 community jobs.
Boulder is well known for being a progressive city with a strong commitment to the environment, but the Mayor was deeply concerned with how to move the city’s sustainability plan forward. When McKinstry began working with the city two years ago, it became clear that the municipality’s values aligned with McKinstry’s Efficient + Smart+ Clean philosophy.
This synergy has enabled the municipality to fulfill its mission of creating a cleaner, greener city, and has catapulted McKinstry into the role of the city’s trusted advisor on issues of energy efficiency, renewable energy, greenhouse gas emissions and smart building solutions.
McKinstry’s work in Boulder demonstrates how heightened awareness of service and satisfaction, and the ability to solve problems improves a client’s willingness to conduct business while building a high level of trust in a short time. It is also a model for how a progressive municipality can leverage efficiencies and available financial resources to fund sustainability initiatives that actually save tax payers money.
On August 15, the City of Boulder hosted a “Greenovation” and ribbon cutting celebration for their new solar photovoltaic and solar thermal systems installed at the South Boulder Recreation Center.
Ash Awad, McKinstry’s vice president of energy and facility solutions, was on hand to congratulate the city on their accomplishments:
“The work done across the city is a great example of how, when we act on the principles Efficient + Smart+ Clean = sustainable future, we can achieve significant outcomes for the environment and the community,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Ash testified at a congressional field hearing before Colorado Senators Bennet and Udall and Congressman Polis about energy policy at the federal level and how the government can help support policies that allow other local governments to accomplish what Boulder has. Read Ash’s full testimony here.
Phase III of the project, to be completed in 2012, will include a $1 million smart building scope. Twenty-two of the city’s highest use buildings are on the Xcel energy smart grid, and use smart metering systems. McKinstry Smart Building Solutions group will integrate the meters into the KRC using the data collected for analysis and active energy management.
]]>This message announces the availability of nearly $155 million in current or upcoming funding opportunities for state, local, and tribal governments from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that can be used to support climate and energy initiatives, including energy efficiency, regional planning, and renewable energy. For full eligibility and application details, please visit the links provided below.
*** DOC Economic Development Administration Public Works, Economic Adjustment, and Global Climate Change Mitigation Programs Opportunity – Likely ~$25 million
Application Due: September 15, 2011
Eligible Entities: State and local governments, federally recognized tribes, nonprofits, private institutions of higher education
This grant program supports projects that foster economic competitiveness while enhancing environmental quality. The funds will be used to advance the green economy by supporting projects that create jobs through—and increase—private capital investment in initiatives to limit the nation's dependence on fossil fuels, enhance energy efficiency, curb greenhouse gas emissions, and protect natural systems. Available funding is likely to be near $25 million. For more info, including regional contacts, go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=58457.
*** HUD’s FY2011 Community Challenge Planning Grant Program– $28 million
Application Due: September 16, 2011
Eligible Entities: State and local governments, including U.S. territories, tribal governments, political subdivisions of state or local governments, and multi-state or multijurisdictional groupings.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s $28 million Community Challenge Planning Grant Program fosters reform and reduces barriers to achieving affordable, economically vital, and sustainable communities. Such efforts may include amending or replacing local master plans, zoning codes, and building codes, either on a jurisdiction-wide basis or in a specific neighborhood, district, corridor, or sector to promote mixed-use development, affordable housing, the reuse of older buildings and structures for new purposes, and similar activities with the goal of promoting sustainability at the local or neighborhood level. This program also supports the development of affordable housing through the development and adoption of inclusionary zoning ordinances and other activities to support planning implementation. For more information, visit http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/sustainable_housing_communities/HUD-DOT_Community_Challenge_Grants.
*** Model Forest Policy Program – 2012 Climate Solutions University: Forest and Water Strategies – $60K
Application Due: September 19, 2011
Eligible Entities: Local communities
The Model Forest Policy Program is now accepting applications for 2012 Climate Solutions University: Forest and Water Strategies. This program offers rural U.S. communities the opportunity to be part of climate adaptation solutions urgently needed across the country. Rural local governments are invited to apply. Six communities will be provided $10,000 scholarships. For more information and to apply, visit http://www.mfpp.org/csu/.
*** NOAA FY 2010-FY2011 Broad Agency Announcement
Application Due: Sep 30, 2011
Eligible Entities: Individuals, state, local and Indian tribal governments. Institutions of higher education, nonprofits, commercial organizations, and international or foreign organizations or governments.
The NOAA FY 2010-FY2011 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) requests proposals for special projects and programs associated with NOAA’s strategic plan and mission goals, as well as to provide the public with information and guidelines on how NOAA will select proposals and administer discretionary federal assistance under this BAA. This BAA is a mechanism to encourage research, education and outreach, innovative projects, or sponsorships that are not addressed through NOAA’s competitive discretionary programs. Funding for potential projects in this notice is contingent upon the availability of Fiscal Year 2010, Fiscal Year 2011 and Fiscal Year 2012 appropriations. Applicants are hereby given notice that funds have not yet been appropriated for any proposed activities in this notice. For more information, visit http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=L9nbTqxF2TYLQLdTypyqNnVsxpyNDXKnMWv5QJXQqF256Btmvqs4!1090492312?oppId=51101&mode=VIEW.
*** HUD’s Energy Innovation Fund – Multifamily Pilot Program – $25 million
Application Due: October 20, 2011
Eligible Entities: National, regional or local private or non-profit entities currently administering affordable housing development and rehabilitation programs; special purpose financing entities; nonprofit or for-profit organizations that own or control a portfolio of Eligible Multifamily Properties
HUD’s Office of Affordable Housing Preservation is issuing a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Multifamily Energy Innovation Fund. This fund provides a total of $25 million in grants to be used for the purpose of energy efficiency upgrades at multifamily properties. The overall objective of the Energy Innovation Fund is to help catalyze a home energy retrofit market in the United States by accelerating private investment in cost-saving energy efficiency retrofits in the residential sector. The Energy Innovation NOFA can be found at:
http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa10/grpeif.cfm.
*** EPA FY 2012 National Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant Program – $10 million
Application Due: November 4, 2011
Eligible Entities: State and local governments, U.S. territories, federally recognized tribes, others
EPA, states, tribes, and territories are working together to implement the Exchange Network, a secure, Internet- and standards-based way to support electronic data reporting, sharing, and integration of both regulatory and non-regulatory environmental data. The Exchange Network Grant Program provides funding to states, tribes, inter-tribal consortia, and territories to develop and implement the information technology and information management capabilities they need to actively participate in the Exchange Network. This grant program supports the exchange of environmental data and collaborative work within the Exchange Network. Grantees may also use grant funds for the standardization, exchange and integration of geospatial information to support work to preserve and improve the environment, natural resources, and human health. In FY 2012, EPA expects to award about $10,000,000 for 40 to 50 grants of up to $350,000. The exact number of grants will depend on the final amount of EPA’s appropriation for the grant program, the number of applications submitted to EPA by the application deadline, the amounts of proposed budgets, and the outcome of application reviews. For more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/exchangenetwork/grants/index.html.
*** HUD Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program Advance Notice – $67 million
HUD has released advance notice of funding for the Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program. This program supports metropolitan and multijurisdictional planning efforts that integrate housing, land use, economic and workforce development, transportation, and infrastructure investments in a manner that empowers jurisdictions to consider the interdependent challenges of economic competitiveness and revitalization; (social equity, inclusion, and access to opportunity; energy use and climate change; and public health and environmental impact. HUD is not yet receiving preapplications or applications. Specific questions regarding program requirements should be directed to sustainablecommunities@hud.gov or through www.hud.gov/sustainability. To download the advance notice of requirements, visit http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=ascrp01nofa.pdf.
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EPA State and Local Climate and Energy Program LogoState and local officials interested in additional information about developing and implementing cost-effective climate and energy strategies that help further environmental goals and achieve public health and economic benefits may visit: http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate.
Leaders in the Pittsburgh business sector have called for, led the design of, and are working with Sustainable Pittsburgh to launch the Green Workplace Challenge (GWC), a friendly
competition to demonstrate the triple bottom line business case for sustainable business practices. This proven business case shows that businesses who better manage their resources, such as energy, waste and water, cut costs and improve performance even in difficult economic times.
Beginning now, businesses and property managers can sign up to be part of the competition, which officially launches on September 14, 2011. Registration ends September 30, 2011.
The GWC features a number of measurable and verifiable actions for businesses and property owners to implement, which results in earning points. Actions cover a variety of topics, ranging from reducing energy and water usage to working with employees on such measures as incorporating more carpooling or bike riding into daily commutes. The fact that participants are required to measure these actions and provide verification is what sets the GWC apart from other U.S. regions that have hosted comparable competitions.
“What we’ve instituted with the Pittsburgh Green Workplace Challenge is a clear, demonstrable way for businesses to take credit for their efficiency activities,” says Matthew Mehalik, Program Manager of Sustainable Pittsburgh, the host organization for the competition.
The GWC showcases overall sustainability achievements of the region's participating businesses and provides a positive public platform for them to be recognized (via aggregate point scores) for going beyond regulations to implement voluntary measures that are good for business, the environment, and people too. During the course of the challenge, participants will receive periodic newsletters with advice, case studies, and resources relating to sustainability, as well as invitations to pertinent monthly workshops.
“To date, we’ve had a number of mid-size to large corporations indicate their interest in participating,” says Mehalik. “The GWC is a great opportunity for organizations to incorporate practical measures that accelerate their sustainability and emphasize corporate excellence, while earning public recognition for their achievements.”
The GWC provides a safe and secure environment for businesses to participate. All company data remain confidential; only broad characterizations of competition performance (in the form of competition “points”) are public.
By participating in the challenge, companies can:
Improve performance
Sustain a competitive edge
Better manage utility expenses
Capitalize on processes to save money by reducing waste, energy, and water use
Create a positive work environment
Gain public recognition for positive achievements.
Businesses interested in participating can sign up by creating an account on the GWC website and following the steps in the email confirmation they will receive.
Because buildings play such a significant role in sustainability, there are separate competition categories for Businesses and Property Managers. Both groups can track their current point totals using the GWC leaderboard, which appears on the competition website and is updated monthly.
The Pittsburgh Green Workplace Challenge (GWC) is an initiative of Sustainable Pittsburgh’s Business Climate Coalition, comprised of a 22-member steering committee representing a cross section of Pittsburgh’s business community. More information is available at http://greenchallenge.C4SPgh.org or by contacting Amanda Virbitsky at gwc@sustainablepittsburgh.org.
The Business Climate Coalition (BCC) aims to advance cost effective solutions for businesses in addressing energy usage and climate change. The BCC advises and advocates recommendations for the region’s business sector from the Pittsburgh Climate Action Plan. The BCC steering committee, comprised of 22 business leaders, is facilitated by Sustainable Pittsburgh via its Champions for Sustainability business network.
Champions for Sustainability (C4S), a network for sustainable business solutions, brings together companies large and small to put sustainability into practice. A program of Sustainable Pittsburgh, C4S provides value via education, technical assistance and consulting on operational needs, and serves as a catalyst for new enterprise and innovation for cementing the business case for sustainability.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Sustainable Pittsburgh (SP) affects decision-making in the Pittsburgh region to integrate economic prosperity, social equity, and environmental quality bringing sustainable solutions to communities and businesses. Over the past decade, SP has proven adept at building coalitions for change on issues that get at the heart of sustainability for
southwestern Pennsylvania.
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