Greensboro, NC Green Initiatives

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Greensboro, NC, US

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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