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Bob Blanchard

2006 - Present

100 Santa Rosa Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95404

707-543-3020

ci.santa-rosa.ca.us

The Santa Rosa City Council passed a resolution on August 2, 2005 that set a target reduction of the green house gas emissions from it’s municipal operations of 20% below 2000 levels by 2010.  The City has since initiated many programs to accomplish this.  Major efforts include: retrofitting all City buildings with high efficiency lighting and appliances, cool roofs, buying hybrid and alternatively fueled vehicles, longstanding and aggressive water conservation measures for residential, commercial, municipal and industrial users,  implementation of the Santa Rosa Build It Green (SR BIG) Program, installation of 5 large solar energy (PV) arrays, adoption of the Environmentally Preferred Purchasing Policy, and injection of 11 million gallons of recycled water into the Geysers Steam fields.  The Geysers Project produces over 85 megawatts of clean green energy each year.  This represents a portion of what we do to save money, reduce greenhouse gasses, and generate clean, renewable energy. 

Snapshot of Cool Achievements

• 2007: Environmentally Preferred Purchasing (EPP) Policy adopted by Santa Rosa City Council on March 20, 2007.  The EPP Policy directs staff and those bidding on City of Santa Rosa contracts to get the most environmentally friendly products and services.  This includes an emphasis on recycled and recyclable products, reduction of packaging, earth-friendly materials, green building supplies and practices, energy efficient appliances and locally produced products.  We spend over $26 million dollars a year on goods and services and by emphasizing the environmental aspects in our purchasing process we can change the market by making these products more easily available to everyone in our community at a competitive price.
• 2007: Algae to Biodiesel project.  This project has recently begun at our Laguna Treatment Plant.  We are growing oil-rich algae in our treated wastewater to produce biodiesel for our growing biodiesel fleet of service vehicles. Algae helps to polish this reclaimed water by removing nitrates, phosphates, and some metals. Algae is also an easily harvested non-food crop which, when grown in wastewater, requires no additional fuel or fertilizer to produce.  It also does not drive the cost of cornflakes up!
• 2005: Santa Rosa Build It Green (SR BIG) Program.  SR BIG began in 2005 and is going strong.  This project helps the environment in many ways by reducing energy demand, ghg emissions and using durable, earth friendly materials.  We are partnered with regional and state efforts in green building to maximize our efforts and provide consistent data.  This will allow us to grow responsibly.
• 2003: Solar Projects  2003 to present.  The City of Santa Rosa has 4 in-place solar energy generators totaling over 100 kilowatts of power generated by the sun.  We have a 5th project coming on line very soon. 
• 2002: Geysers Recharge project 2002 to present.  This truly unique project sends over 11 million gallons a day of our reclaimed water to geothermal steam fields north of town. The water we send each day increases the production of this clean green energy production facility by 85 megawatts per year.  This is a critical piece of our role in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions in our community.
• 1992: Water Conservation 1992- present.   This continuing project has been extremely successful in reducing the amount of potable water we use in domestic, commercial, agricultural. municipal and industrial activities.  It is estimated we conserve over 1.3 million gallons of water each day.  This is critical as it reduces the amount we have to treat.  Reduction in treatment results in significant energy and greenhouse gas reductions.
• 1992: Internal energy efficiency projects 1992- Present.  This on-going project embraces all energy use in offices and other city buildings and accounts for significant savings in energy, ghg emissions and money.  In addition, we have shifted all of our traffic signals to LED lights.  This saves us $400,00 per year in energy costs and reduces our ghg emissions by 1,100 ton per year.

A Cool Quote

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Michael R. Bloomberg

2002 - Present

City Hall
New York, NY 10007

212-NEW-YORK

www.nyc.gov/mayor

From the get-go, Mayor Bloomberg’s business know-how has helped him put New York City on course to becoming the world’s most climate-friendly city. With forward-thinking investments in energy efficiency and green buildings, he has saved the city millions, while substantially reducing its carbon footprint.

In 2007, he took climate planning to an exciting new level. The mayor announced PlaNYC, the nation’s most aggressive and comprehensive climate action plan with 127 cross-sector proposals. It’s what he calls "the broadest scale attack on the causes of global warming and environmental degradation that any city has ever undertaken."

Snapshot of Cool Achievements

• 2007: Announces PlaNYC, the world’s most comprehensive and advanced climate action plan
• 2006: Creates an Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability
• 2006: Opens the New York City Office of Emergency Management's new headquarters, the city's first green agency headquarters
• 2005: Signs U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement
• 2005: Adopts Local Law 86, making New York the first municipality in the country to mandate energy conservation and environmentally conscious design in public building projects
• 2005: Signs law requiring additional hybrid vehicles in the city’s fleet
• 2003: Signs energy efficient purchasing laws

A Cool Quote

"As a coastal city, we're on the leading edge of one of the most dramatic effects of global warming: rising sea levels and intensifying storms. The science is there. It's time to stop debating it and to start dealing with it. Of course, no city or country can address this issue alone. But that doesn't mean we can walk away from the responsibility to do our part and to show others it can be done in ways that will strengthen the economy's long-term health."

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James Brainard

1996 - Present

One Civic Square, City Hall
Carmel, IN 46032

317-571-2401

www.carmel.in.gov

Mayor Brainard is focused on better land use planning that encourages
instead of discourages walking and alternative transportation.  Zoning has been “automobile focused” since World War II, and as a result most suburban residents cannot walk anywhere they need to go.  However, Carmel is a leader in “new urbanism” with both greenfield  and redevelopment projects that include mixed use housing, and walking and biking paths where a resident can live, shop, play and work within a ten minute walk.

Doubling in size in less than a decade, Carmel is home to nearly forty new roundabouts and many reconstructed streets and boulevards with many new trees. New E85 and bio-diesel stations mark cleaner auto emissions opportunities, for the public, schools, and private use.  Park land during the Mayor’s terms has increased from 40 acres to 700 at present.  A 2005 Executive Order requires new City vehicles purchased to be alternative fuel or hybrid vehicles when such are reasonably available in the marketplace.

Wind Energy is at the forefront of current projects as a meteorological
tower is being erected for specific measurements to determine the
number and size of wind-driven electric generators.  A solar-powered
dryer which also uses 80% waste methane gas from the city wastewater treatment plant to help dry waste solids for other uses is new.  A new bus route will provide transportation for Carmel workers in and out of the City, and Mayor Brainard is Chairman of a regional multi-city mass transit committee which is looking at transportation alternatives including light rail options.   Green and LEED housing and commercial building projects are presently being considered for the future of Carmel, along with solar panel and roof options.

The Mayor and other City officials drive hybrid vehicles and flex fuel
vehicles.  The supply of alternative fuels will increase dramatically over
the next year as new plants under construction in Indiana become fully
operational.

Snapshot of Cool Achievements

• 2007: A bus transit system expanded to transport Carmel workers to and from the major business centers will begin in the fall.  Soy bio-diesel fuel (B20) has become the standard diesel fuel for public school buses and city fleet vehicles, providing substantially cleaner exhaust emissions.  $400,000 in new trees have been planted in the City of Carmel.  A new central and local water and exercise park  center directly accessible by citizens walking or biking via the Monon Trail linear parkway was opened in the spring.
• 2006: The first E85 fueling stations opened for use in flex-fuel vehicles, which are expected to be used widely in the mid-western United States.  A city-wide smoking ban was implemented in the City of Carmel as one of the objectives of cleaner air and healthier citizens.
• 2005: Mayor Brainard issued an Executive Order requiring all new City vehicles purchased, be alternative fuel or hybrid vehicles when such vehicles are available in the marketplace.
• 1998: Beginning of major efforts to install intersection Roundabouts which increase traffic flow, reduce emissions and accidents, and require less energy for traffic signal infrastructure. Also, incorporating new urbanism guidelines into developments and planning and overlay zoning became a focus.
• 1996: Dramatic expansion of the park acreage, and movement to complete the Monon Trail linear park for walking and biking paths.  Efforts to develop a City Center with cultural facilities that could be accessed by walking and biking began. 

A Cool Quote

“My sincere hope is that Carmel, Indiana will be known as one of the
best American cities in which to live; that it will have world class facilities which enhance its quality of life and family-friendly environment, while still being affordable and maintaining low taxes for its citizens, and while providing such benefits in a clean and healthy environment for its highly motivated and educated citizens.”

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Frank Van Buer

2005 - Present

200 South Fourth Street
DeKalb, IL 60115

815-748-2099

www.cityofdekalb.com

In an effort to enhance the quality of life within the City of DeKalb, the DeKalb City Council adopted the strategic goals of encouraging the use of alternative energy sources whenever possible and promoting quality and sustainable development. To this end, many of DeKalb's traffic signal bulbs have been changed from incandescent to LED resulting in savings of 80 percent in electrical energy, while a significant portion of DeKalb's asphalt street paving construction is with recycled materials in the asphalt mixture.

Snapshot of Cool Achievements

• 2007: The City of DeKalb adopted a plan for the revitalization of the Fourth Street Corridor, a State highway that is a major gateway to the City's center. The plan, funded entirely by the IEPA, had the duel focus of improving economic conditions on the corridor while promoting environmental sustainability. Among the plan’s primary recommendations was narrowing Fourth Street from four lanes to three in order to provide room for substantial tree planting and other streetscaping. Together, the reduction of hard surfaces and tree planting will substantially reduce the "heat island" effect in the surrounding neighborhoods. This same strategy of reducing overly wide streets is now being applied throughout downtown DeKalb as part of the Downtown Redevelopment Plan.
• 2007: The DeKalb City Council recently amended their municipal code to allow  the use of geothermal heating and cooling systems for climate control.  In addition, the DeKalb City Council approved the first project in which this system will be used in the proposed DeKalb County Community Outreach Building.
• 2007: The City of DeKalb is currently drafting new design standards to pursue energy conservation best practices.
• 2006: Under the Federal Section 5307 transit grant, the City of DeKalb purchased a Hybrid SUV for use by City staff.

A Cool Quote

"For the past several days, the City of DeKalb has been experiencing the impact of climate change with continuous heavy thunderstorms.  The worst of it hit during the return of over 5000 university students to their dorm rooms to begin the new school year.  I have just issued a local emergency proclamation.  While our local resources have been stretched, we have met the challenge.  Such an occurrence brings home the fact that each citizen has an important role to play in changing our style of living in order to arrest the deleterious effects of climate change.  City government must continue to implement the best practices of recycling, green conscious construction and building codes, and energy conservation."

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Roger W. Chase

2001 - Present

P. O. Box 4169
Pocatello, ID 60115

208-234-6163

www.pocatello.us

The City of Pocatello has always been forward thinking.  For example, in the early 1980’s the City started generating power from process methane gas, which directly reduces greenhouse gases and supplies additional power to the grid.  In 1991, the City began a neighborhood recycling drop-off program to reduce landfill volumes.  However after attending the Sundance Summit in 2006, Mayor Chase challenged municipal employees and the general public to do even more. 

The Mayor asked City Department Heads to take an inventory of their facilities and fleets to see how the City could improve energy and water conservation, make changes in purchasing policies and increase the City’s “green” presence.  Mayor Chase also encouraged citizens to be proactive.  They shouldn’t wait for a detailed environmental plan from local, state or federal government but come up with simple ways to make a difference on their own.

Snapshot of Cool Achievements

• 2007: The City of Pocatello expanded its volunteer drop-off recycling program to seven locations around the city.  These sites accept newspaper, cardboard, plastic bottles, steel cans and aluminum cans.  For calendar 2005, the City accepted 339 tons of newspaper, 152 tons of cardboard, 30 tons of PET plastic, 11 tongs of HDPE plastic, 12 tons of steel cans and 6 tons of aluminum cans.  These materials represent 550 tons of materials that were not placed in the Bannock County Landfill.  Current trends for 2007 indicate a similar trend for recycled materials.
• 2007: Pocatello has instituted a test protocol for the use of Biodiesel (B20) in portions of the City fleet.  Fifteen diesel vehicles from five City departments will exclusively use the B20 biodiesel product for up to six months.  During the winter months, test vehicles will use B10 blend to reduce cold flow issues with the fleet.  City Transit buses, Fire Department vehicles, Sanitation trucks, Street Department trucks and Water Department trucks will be part of the test protocol.  Following completion of the test protocol, the City will evaluate issues and potential concerns with switching the entire City diesel fleet to biodiesel. 
• 2006: After attending the 2006 Sundance Summit, Mayor Roger Chase signed the U. S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement making him the second Mayor in Idaho to realize the importance of this agreement.
• 2005: Since 2005, Pocatello has been upgrading street lights, traffic lights and pedestrian crossing lights from standard bulbs to lower wattage or LED bulb.  Street lights are being changed from 400 watts to 200 watts, and this process is approximately 50% complete.  Traffic light conversion is from 169 watt bulbs to 9 watt bulbs and is essentially complete.  Pedestrian crossing signals are being converted from 69 watt to 15 watt bulbs, and the project is essentially complete on all City signals. 
• 2005: With support from Mayor Chase, City employees organize and host, with help from other governmental and private agencies, the first Environmental Fair.  The fair provides a forum to educate and inspire citizens to take responsibility for making the community a better place.  Education information about alternative ways of consuming, personal wellness and living environmentally conscious is always presented.  The goal is to encourage participants to make daily and long-term choices that will positively contribute to a healthier environment.
• 2004: Pocatello has been investigating the feasibility of establishing a wind turbine farm near the city for the last two years.  We are currently negotiating a contract with an engineering firm to evaluate the commercial potential of the wind site, on which two years data has been collected.  The wind farm, which would be located on a combination of private and federal lands, has the potential to produce up to 10 megawatts of greenhouse gas-free energy for distribution through the grid.

A Cool Quote

"Little steps can accomplish big things.  By taking small steps, such as turning off lights, occasionally walking/biking to work, or recycling, we can change the world for the better.  Every person can make a difference."

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Martin Chavez

1993 – 1997; 2001 - Present

City/County Building, 11th floor
Albuquerque, NM 87103

505-768-3000

www.cabq.gov

Mayor Chavez has been hailed the greenest mayor in America, and it’s no wonder. Chávez is creatively fostering an industry sector that is centered on alternative fuels and energy conservation. In the process, he’s offering up local and national solutions to climate change and energy dependence.

Under his watch, City Hall’s carbon footprint has been reduced by 64 percent, and Albuquerque ranks number four in the nation for alternative fuel usage. Bagging top honors as Forbes' "Best city for business and career," Chavez is demonstrating that being green is good for business.

Snapshot of Cool Achievements

• 2006: Earns World Leadership Award following successful execution of his sustainable water vision, "Securing a Priceless Future"
• 2006: Issues executive order to only purchase alternative-fueled city fleet vehicles
• 2006: Joins the Community Rights Counsel with an Amici Curiae brief before the U.S. Supreme Court pursuing EPA enforcement of greenhouse gas emissions as a pollutant
• 2006: Gets appointed to the newly created USCM Mayors Council on Climate Protection (MCCP)
• 2006: Authors USCM Resolution No. 50 and together with mayors from Chicago, Seattle and Miami, successfully urges adoption of the 2030 Challenge
• 2006: Becomes the first Mayor in New Mexico to sign U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and one of first signatories nationally

A Cool Quote

"Even if one disregards the science behind global warming, the fact of the matter is that we desperately need to reduce our exorbitant reliance on fossil fuels in order to better protect our wildlands and reduce our addiction to foreign oil."

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Robert N. Cluck

2003 - Present

101 W. Abram St.
Arlington, TX 76004-0231

817-459-6122

www.ci.arlington.tx.us/mayor

Small wonder this classic, old-style Texan comes at emissions from a public health perspective. Before his entrance onto the Texas political scene, he was a doctor for 23 years. Dr. Cluck is out to prove that when you cut greenhouse gas emissions you also deliver a powerful co-benefit, reducing other pollutants that can trigger asthma attacks and other health problems.

In just four years, Dr. Cluck has slashed Arlington’s energy consumption by 26 percent; helped compel TXU to withdraw applications for eight new coal plants as a member of the Texas Clean Air Cities Coalition; and now has his sights set on another opportunity to improve Arlington’s air quality, public transit.

Snapshot of Cool Achievements

• 2006: Participates in the Texas Cities for Climate Protection Meeting

• 2006: Announces the formation of the Alliance of Texas Cities for Clean Air, a coalition of mayors, to promote the development of alternatives to coal-burning plants

• 2006: Convenes a meeting of mayors and representatives from 23 Texas cities to discuss global warming, in light of TXU’s plans to build 17 new coal plants

• 2005: Signs U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement

A Cool Quote

"I come at this totally driven by the public health aspect and understanding what clean air means to people in the broader scheme of their chances to lead happy, healthful lives. That’s been my complete focus when it comes to global warming. As the earth warms we’re seeing greater incidences of what used to be regarded as purely tropical diseases afflicting populations here – West Nile, dengue fever – and I believe we could very well start to see outbreaks of malaria."

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Dan Coody

2000 - Present

113 West Mountain Street
Fayetteville, AR 72701

479-575-8330

www.accessfayetteville.org

As mayor of one of the fastest growing regions in the U.S., it's no wonder Mayor Coody has placed an emphasis on planning for responsible growth. His City Plan 2025 has won him international accolades for encouraging infill and alternative modes of transportation, while discouraging sprawl and auto-dependency. 

Mayor Coody developed the first public-sector sustainability department in Arkansas; belongs to the U.S. Conference of Mayors Sustainability Task Force; and was one of first to sign the Mayors Climate Agreement. Right now he's working hard to put Fayetteville on course to becoming a center for emerging technologies in the sustainability movement through the Genesis Technology Incubator and other initiatives with the University of Arkansas.  These successes have helped to make Fayetteville one of the most livable and forward-thinking cities in the nation.

Snapshot of Cool Achievements

• 2007: Coody's City Plan 2025 earns him Congress for New Urbanism International Award for encouraging infill, revitalization, an enduring green network, and alternative transportation.
• 2007: Hires Arkansas’ first sustainability coordinator.
• 2007: Builds a biofuel station for fleet vehicles that provides 60,000 gallons per year of Arkansas biofuel.
• 2007: Hosts ICLEI’s Summer Workshop: "The Economics of Local Climate Action"
• 2006: Commits to purchasing a prototype hybrid Solid Waste Truck and a plug-in hybrid.
• 2005: Signs U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.
• 2004: Opens the Fayetteville Public Library, the City’s first LEED-certified silver building.

A Cool Quote

"You mayors in California have it easy being cool.  If you really want a challenge try being cool in Arkansas."

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T. M. Franklin Cownie

2004 - Present

675 Harwood Drive
Des Moines, IA 50312

515-283-4944

www.ci.des-moines.ia.us/mayor_council/

As mayor in a state that ranks first in the nation in corn and soybean production, Frank Cownie knows the macro benefits of cleaner-burning, renewable biofuels, greater energy independence, and fewer emissions. And he knows there’s money to be made. Though he’s only officially part-time, he’s been working around-the-clock to tackle climate change in ways that make dollars and sense.
 
To date, Mayor Cownie has worked to green the city’s buildings and its fleet of vehicles, and has recently appointed a key stakeholder task force to find ways to tackle emissions in the city. With Iowa poised for economic rebirth as a hub for renewable energy expertise, it’s clear this is just the beginning for Mayor Cownie.

Snapshot of Cool Achievements

• 2006: Persuades ICLEI to designate Des Moines as the fourth city in the United States to land a Regional Capacity Center that will help measure city-level emissions and test ways to reduce them
• 2006: Sets up an Energy and Environment Task Force for Des Moines 
• 2005: Signs U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement
• 2005: Becomes one of a handful of mayors from around the U.S. to attend the First Sundance Climate Summit in Utah

A Cool Quote

"I do this because I have a moral compass that tells me it’s the right thing to do. It’s not about me. In my heart and in my head I know it’s the right thing for the future of our children, for our city, for our state and for this country, if not the world."

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Jim Doody

2005 - Present

250 N. 5th Street
Grand Junction, CO 81501

970-244-1504

www.gjcity.org

The Grand Junction City Council believes that as responsible citizens and stewards of our community, the City must take a leadership role in conserving resources. 

To date, Grand Junction has formed an energy conservation team, GJ CORE (Conserving Our Resources Efficiently) to assess and monitor the progress of proposed initiatives and current conservation practices, work to introduce new practices, and explore new conservation opportunities from other communities and outside entities.  The purpose of GJ CORE is to promote and monitor waste reduction, energy conservation, water conservation, alternative transportation, and pollution reduction and prevention in all City operations.

Snapshot of Cool Achievements

• 2007: As its fleet vehicles come up for replacement, the City of Grand Junction has been replacing the majority of them with flex fuel models.  It currently has 34 flex fuel vehicles in its fleet and this replacement practice will continue.  Alternative fuels are somewhat difficult to find there so it will be installing its own E-85 fueling station early next year so that our vehicles can be alternatively fueled and we can begin to reap the benefits of the flex fuel vehicles.
• 2007: The city changed over all incandescent traffic signal lights to LED traffic signals.  The city received a rebate from Xcel Energy in the amount of $19,250 and to date our monthly bill for power for the signals has dropped by $4,000 ($48,000 annually). It also anticipates an estimated $2,569 in labor cost savings every year. 
• 1994: The city installed new “Fine Bubble” aeration system at its wastewater treatment facility, eliminating twenty-two 16 Hp motors resulting in $130,000 annual electrical savings.

A Cool Quote

"We enjoy a high quality of life here in Grand Junction and that is something we can never take for granted.  The water, the land, and the air all contribute to the reason so many of us call this our home.  It is not only our desire as City leaders to maintain that quality of life – it is our responsibility to maintain it, for ourselves and our future generations.  The City cannot do this alone.  We must all work together, community leaders and citizens alike, to do our part to sustain that which we have."

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Shirley Franklin

2002- Present

55 Trinity Avenue Atlanta
Atlanta, GA 30303

404-330-6004

www.atlantaga.gov/Mayor

Mayor Shirley Franklin is the first to admit Atlanta’s early on in moves to curb its GHG emissions. But if this dynamo’s past efforts are anything to go by, you’d better watch closely.

First she cleaned up the water supply, now she’s tackling air quality and embarking on an Environmental Action Agenda. For her, this is all part of a far-reaching quality of life vision that will far outlast her mayoralty. Fortunate too, she and her Green Team seem to know no bounds when it comes to thinking big on how to tackle climate protection, air quality, and sprawl in the nation’s third largest metro area and one of the most car-dependent cities on the planet.

Snapshot of Cool Achievements

• 2007: Announces Greener Atlanta initiative
• 2006: Adopts The 2030 Challenge
• 2005: Signs U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement
• 2005: Implements the New Century Economic Development Plan that includes public transportation improvements and the Beltline
• 2005: Signs law requiring additional hybrid vehicles in the city’s fleet
• 2003: Passes an ordinance requiring all new city-financed construction to be LEED silver-certified

A Cool Quote

"I have a chance to serve in office for eight years. I have to judge what decisions I can make now that will influence Atlanta’s future. We are working to make Atlanta one of the most livable, green cities in the world."

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Daniel Gardner

2004 - Present

City of Oberlin
Oberlin, OH 44074

440-213-6025

CityofOberlin.com

With Oberlin College’s internationally prominent Environmental Studies program as a backdrop, Mayor Gardner believes that modeling collaboration between the private, public and education sectors is Oberlin’s contribution to solving the global climate crisis. 

Prior to assuming office, he was the founding Chairman of a community non-profit that supported the Youth Energy Squad (YES!), a project which paired high school and college students in energy efficiency upgrades in low-income households and introduced energy efficiency into the public schools’ curriculum.  One of the program’s student leaders now operates a rapidly growing bio-fuels conversion, generation and fueling business in Oberlin.  Gardner also mentored three college students who would become developers of a high performance $17 million mixed-use, mixed income redevelopment project in Oberlin’s downtown.

Snapshot of Cool Achievements

• 2007:  Oberlin and Oberlin College receive the Clean Energy Community of the Year award from Green Energy Ohio (GEO) at the National SOLAR 2007 Conference
• 2007: City Council creates permanent "Sustainable Energy Fund: out of proceeds on the sale of green energy to Oberlin College.
• 2007: Mayor Gardner introduces legislation mandating LEED certification for municipal building and renovation projects, requiring conversion of city fleet to E-85 and bio-diesel engines, and revising building code to adopt DOE recommendations for climate zone insulation R-values.
• 2006: City Council provides funding for business start-up Full Circle Fuels to modify fuel island and tank to pump bio-diesel blends.
• 2005: City Council provides funding for Wind Energy Feasibility Study
• 2005: City Council approves TIF agreement with Sustainable Community Associates, LLC, to foster a $17M redevelopment project in Oberlin’s Central Business District.  The project was selected to participate in the US Green Building Council’s new LEED-neighborhood development pilot program.

A Cool Quote

"Energy conservation is a social justice issue not only for future generations but in the here and now.  Why should our working poor spend a grossly disproportionate amount of their income on energy costs? Why should we send our young men and women to distant lands to protect oil supplies when we can engage them in creating the new domestic energy economy?  We are the leaders we’ve been looking for."

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Gary Haakenson

2000 - Present

121 5th Ave. N.
Edmonds, WA 98020

425-771-0247

www.ci.edmonds.wa.us/climate_prot.stm

Mayor Haakenson formed the Citizens Committee on Climate Protection in the summer of 2006 after signing onto Mayor Greg Nickels’ U.S. Climate Protection Agreement in April 2005. The committee’s mission is to:

1. Encourage citizens to be a part of the solution
2. Encourage City staff and citizens to conserve current resources
3. Work with the City Council to implement ideas
4. Effectively address the impacts of climate change

Steps have been taken toward energy savings in the areas of public works, land use, transportation, and public education activities, including: switching to B-20 biodiesel fuel in city vehicles, using energy-efficient LED lighting in traffic signals, retrofitting plumbing systems for water efficiency, supporting rapid transit, and offering public education on solid waste reduction and recycling. Staff is working to determine baseline and intermediate data to determine the City’s CO2 footprint in order to reduce that number by ten percent by 2019.

Snapshot of Cool Achievements

• 2007: The Mayor formed a staff task force to research all pertinent and available energy-usage data within the maintenance and operation of the City, including city-owned facilities and vehicles. The committee determined that 1999 will be the baseline year for data gathering and analysis, and 2019 as the target year for reducing the City’s CO2 footprint by ten percent. This staff task force will provide ICLEI’s data analysis to the Mayor and the citizens committee, who will in turn determine the best ways to address energy reduction and implement steps toward meeting our 2019 goal.
• 2007: The Mayor proclaimed April 14 – 22, 2007 as "Earth Week in Edmonds" in conjunction with Step it Up National Day of Climate Change and the 37th anniversary of Earth Day.
• 2006: The Mayor proclaimed October 4, 2006 as “Change a Light Day” in Edmonds to encourage citizens to switch to energy-efficient light bulbs in their homes.
• 2006: The City Council formally expressed support for the Kyoto Protocol by Resolution No. 1129 and joined ICLEI by Resolution No. 1130.
• 2006: Mayor Haakenson formed the Citizens Committee on U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.
• 2005: Mayor Haakenson signed onto Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels’ U.S. Climate Protection Agreement.

A Cool Quote

"Local leadership has the opportunity to bring citizens of like mind together for a single purpose, such as climate action. Working in unison, the group possesses the will and the energy to accomplish their goals. Then they are able to share their success with other local groups and eventually make a difference at the national level. We are lucky to have committed volunteers in Edmonds to take on the challenge of climate action."

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C. Nelson Harris

July 2004 - Present

215 Church Ave., SW
Roanoke, VA 24011

540-853-2224

www.roanokeva.gov/green

Mayor Nelson Harris has been a climate visionary in Southwest Virginia. The city of Roanoke was the first local government in the area to begin the shift to biodiesel in its fleet of vehicles. And that's just one initiative taking root in a town dedicated to climate action. As a member of ICLEI, he'll be completing a greenhouse gas emissions inventory, formulating an action plan for mitigation, and implementing cross-industry measures.

And Mayor Harris is advancing climate solutions in ways that make business sense. In July 2007, a reduced real estate tax rate went into effect for energy-efficient buildings, while his Solar Energy Ordinance has encourage growth in the city's use of solar technology.

Snapshot of Cool Achievements

• 2007: Effective July 1, the City of Roanoke offers a reduced real estate tax rate for energy-efficient buildings.
• 2006: Begins purchasing bio-diesel fuel for its fleet of vehicles and school  buses, making it the first local government in Southwest Virginia to move forward with the purchase.
• 2005: Adopts Solar Energy Ordinance, which makes certified solar equipment, facilities and devices a separate class of property and grants exemption from taxation on such solar products. 

A Cool Quote

“Protecting the environment is one of the most important issues in Southwest Virginia and in America today. Realizing behaviors have an impact not only on their own citizens but on neighboring communities, Roanoke has implemented environmental initiatives that work in concert with its participation in ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection Campaign to reduce our carbon footprint. City leaders are committed to creating a sustainable environment for our community. Our hope is that these efforts will inspire other local governments to consider similar initiatives, and move toward becoming green communities.”

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George Heartwell

2004 - Present

300 Monroe NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

616-456-3168

www.grcity.us

The City of Grand Rapids adopted and signed the U.S. Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement in 2005 at the suggestion of Mayor Heartwell. Since then, the city has implemented a number of climate mitigation strategies. These include commiting to purchase 20% renewable energy from Michigan sources by 2008; requiring LEED certification for new city facilities greater than 10,000 sq.ft; and partnering with USGBC, the City of Seattle and others in the “Playbook for Green Buildings and Neighborhoods” project, creating a toolbox for cities wanting to reduce their carbon footprint.

Snapshot of Climate Achievements

• 2007: The City of Grand Rapids was designated by the United Nations University as a Regional Centre for Excellence in Education for Sustainability. To date, Grand Rapids is the only U.S. city so designated.
• 2007: The Grand Rapids Art Museum became the first newly constructed LEED certified Art Museum in the world.

A Cool Quote

"My sixth grandchild, Gabriel was born last year.  The miracle of a child embodies hope for the future.  At the same time these little ones serve as reminders that we are accountable today to generations yet to come.

We must leave them with a sustainable world; one that provides opportunities for: economic prosperity, quality of life, enjoyment of the beauty and bounty of the natural world, and a government that works.  In other words, we must meet our needs today in a sustainable way with an eye on the needs of future generations.  This requires that we look at the bottom line with three questions:  Does it build social equity?  Does it provide environmental value?  Does it create economic prosperity?"