Greensboro, NC Green Initiatives
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Greensboro,
NC,
US
Type: Policy
Status: Ongoing
Source File: http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/citygovernment/greeninitiatives/
Description:
Protecting Our Environment: Green Initiatives
The City of Greensboro takes seriously its responsibility to protect the environment and to promote "green" initiatives. Below is a list of actions the City is taking to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability.
Land Use Policies
- Reduce sprawl and protect open spaces
- Infill development and traditional neighborhoods
- Sidewalk Construction Projects and promoting pedestrian travel
- Linking land use and transportation planning
- Activity centers
- Investment in downtown
- Brownfields, redevelopment, historic preservation
- Connections 2025: Comprehensive Plan, which directs City policy and actions to address challenges associated with protecting the environment and for managing growth
Alternate Transportation Options
- Bike lanes
- PART, HEAT, GTA and SCAT
- Properly timed traffic signals
- New engineering, such as roundabouts
- Off-Street Greenways, Paths, and Trails
- More online services
Energy Efficiency
- Motion-sensitive lighting
- Programmable lights and thermostats
- More energy-efficient lights and ballasts
- Energy-saving water heaters and boilers
- Energy-efficient enhancements at the Coliseum, Melvin Municipal Office Building, and other city buildings
- Use of Energy Star (ES) equipment and appliances
Sustainability
- Sustainable building practices using the LEED program for all new fire stations
- NeighborWoods program
- Tree planting for shade and to absorb carbon dioxide (Tree City USA)
- Landscaping requirements
- Stream restoration and reforestation
- Erosion and sedimentation control
- Adherence to environmental standards in parks
- Sustainable living education for children at libraries
- Environmental education programs
- Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library, with its focus on environmental education
- A user-friendly and comprehensive recycling program
- Use of recycled materials whenever possible
- Household hazardous waste disposal program
- Water quality standards and monitoring
Fuel Efficiency
- Bio-diesel in use since 2002
- First hybrid vehicles purchased in 2003
- Use of oxidation catalysts on large trucks and equipment
- Sharing of employee vehicles and consolidating work-related trips
- Adoption of policy requiring that the City purchase the smallest, most fuel-efficient vehicle practical for the job to be performed
- Methane recovered from landfills and sewage treatment, and converted to green waste
Air Quality
- Burn permits issued for controlled burning
- Triad Air Quality Early Action Compact
- Hybrid vehicles in City's fleet