Grand Forks, ND "G3 Environmental Initiative"

Type: Policy

Status: Ongoing

Source File: http://www.grandforksgov.com/gfgov/home.nsf/GreenPages/12-Point+Plan

Description:

Green³ Grand Forks

Energy and environmental issues have been an increasing concern for many years and will be for years to come. Cities around the country have taken the position that they will work in partnership with the federal and state government on addressing these concerns but also have the ability to assume a leadership role at the local level.

The actions available at the local level, while perhaps not singularly a significant impact on the global condition, do provide tangible and attainable energy solutions that save money for local residents, reduce greenhouse emissions of the city/community, increase energy efficiency, and promote a “can-do” collaborative effort that unites individuals, families, communities.

Fleet management, use of biofuel and hybrid vehicles, HVAC adjustments, fixture and building retrofitting, and public information campaigns are tools cities can employ on a local level with local impact. Seldom do opportunities come along that are so clearly the right thing to do.

Therefore, the City of Grand Forks, a proud participant in the Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement, committed to being a “Green City”, and in full resolve to:

• Lower CO2 Emissions,
• Increase Energy Efficiency and Play a Role in effort to reduce National Energy Dependence, and
• Lower Costs to Local Taxpayers,

does hereby propose the following “Green Grand Forks” plan with 12 points for consideration:

1. Inventory global warming emissions in City operations and in the community, set reduction targets, create an action plan and support federal/state efforts to assist cities implementing efficiency measures.

2. Adopt and enforce land-use policies that reduce sprawl, preserve open space, and create compact, walkable urban communities.

3. Promote transportation options such as bicycle trails, commute trip reduction programs, incentives for car pooling and public transit.
Greenway
Cities Area Transit (CAT)

4. Increase the use of clean, alternative energy by, for example, investing in “green tags”, advocating for the development of renewable energy resources, recovering landfill methane for energy production, and supporting the use of waste to energy technology.

5. Make energy efficiency a priority through building code improvements, retrofitting city facilities with energy efficient lighting and urging employees to conserve energy and save money.

6. Purchase only Energy Star equipment and appliances for City use.

7. Practice and promote sustainable building practices using the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program or a similar system.

8. Increase the average fuel efficiency of municipal fleet vehicles; reduce the number of vehicles; launch an employee education program including anti-idling messages; convert diesel vehicles to bio-diesel.

9. Evaluate opportunities to increase pump efficiency in water and wastewater systems; recover wastewater treatment methane for energy.

10. Increase recycling rates in City operations and in the community. Grand Forks Recycling

11. Maintain healthy urban forests; promote tree planting to increase shading and to absorb CO2.

12. Help educate the public, schools, other jurisdictions, professional associations, and business about reducing global warming pollution.