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Home My WebLink About01/08/2008, - SOLVING GLOBAL WARMING ONE CITY AT A TIME SIERRA is CLUB 1FOUNDED 1892 Cool CITI Sidiving, Gl Explore,enjoy and protect the planet 'A ® ! • Warmingat • me a ' f tj' ' Cool Cities Acknowledgements Written by Glen Brand and Brendan Bell, Sierra Club's Global Cool Cities Ma 3 Warming and Energy Program Four Steps to Become Special Thanks to John Byrne Barry, Dan Becker, Glen Besa, Pete a Cool City.......................................4 Connolly, Aloma Dew, Kurt Ehrenberg,Annie Finch, Kim Haddow, Dave Hamilton, Cesia Kearns,Jill Miller, Brian O'Malley, Ayrianne 0 0 Parks, Colleen Sarna, Emily Templin,Jenn Tuttle, and Christa Wagner. Charlotte, NORTH CAROLINA.......................6 Houston,TEXAS...................................6 COVER PAGE PHOTOS: Marion County, FLORIDA.......................7 1.Skyline of Chicago,one of the more than 200 cities that have pledged to Washington, DC................................7 reduce local heat-trapping pollution.PHOTO BY ROBERT GLll9C 2.Iowa's Waverly Light&Power is the first municipal utility to install its own wind turbines.PHOTO BY WAVERLY LIGHT&POWER 3.Investing in clean energy not only saves taxpayer dollars and protects the environment,it also creates good jobs for the future.PHOTO BY APOLLO AC.LIANCE Salt Lake City, UTAH............................9 4.The Western Area Power Administration's 4-kilowatt photovoltaic array at its Scottsdale,ARIZONA.............................9 Rocky Mountain Customer Service Center building east of Loveland,Colorado. P1 010 BY WESTERN AREA POWER ADMINISTRATION Twin Falls, IDAHO...............................10 You can find this guide and more information about our Cool Cities campaign St. Paul, MINNESOTA..............................l O at sierraclub.org/coolcities Fort Collins, COLORADO........................12 Columbia, MISSOURI............................12 Waverly, IowA...................................13 • • • The Sierra Club's members are 750,000 of your friends and neighbors.Inspired by nature,we work together to protect our communities and the planet.The Sierra Club is America's oldest,largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. SIERRA CLUB FOUNDED 1893 This report was funded by a grant from The Sierra Club Foundation. 85 Second St.,Second Floor,San Francisco,CA 94105,(415)977-5500 408 C St.NE,Washington,DC 20002,(202)547-1141 sierraclub.org Cool Solving Global Warming CITIES One City ata Time INTRODUCTION— i Re-Energizing Our Cities o _ 0 t� 111 over America, cities, The strategies that these and other Cool counties and states are Cities are pursuing fall under three categories: launching an exciting grassroots movement to Cleaner Vehicles, Energy Efficiency, and help solve one of our country's most pressing Renewable Energy. Every one of these local problems: global warming. Frustrated by stalling solutions is already saving taxpayer dollars and on the federal level, local leaders are moving for- improving public health by reducing energy ward with innovative energy solutions that cut waste and pollution. By taking innovative our dependence on oil, benefit public health, actions, forward-looking cities are re-energizing and save taxpayer dollars.These mayors, county our nation, proving that we can solve global commissioners, and governors are leading the warming one city at a time. way toward a safer and more secure future. The purpose of this guide is to provide a resource for citizens and local officials who are ready to take real action to reduce energy waste and heat-trapping global warming pollution in their communities. In the following pages, you Every one of these local solutions is will find inspiring city success stories from a broad range of cities, from larger metropolitan already saving taxpayer dollars and centers such as Salt Lake City, St. Paul, and improving public health by reducing Charlotte to smaller cities like Twin Falls, Idaho, and Waverly, Iowa. energy Waste and pollution. I Cool CIITIIIES I GLOBAL WARMING— Statement: Global Response to Climate Change,"June The Time to Act is Now 2005—royalsoc.ac.uk/documentasp?id=32221 The scientific community has concluded Cities Take the Lead that burning fossil fuels—oil, coal, and natural The good news is our cities have not become para- gas—to power our cars, homes and businesses lyzed by the threat of global climate change. Instead, is causing global temperatures to rise.This they are taking the lead with the "U.S. Mayors Climate heating of the earth poses a serious threat to Protection Agreement" initiated by Seattle Mayor Greg our health, safety, and environment. Nickels. Introduced on February 16, 2005—the same The national science academies of the United day that the Kyoto Protocol international global warm- States, England, France, Russia, Germany, ing treaty took effect in 141 nations—the agreement is Japan, Italy, Canada, Brazil, China and India gathering support around the country and has earned issued the following joint declaration in June the backing of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.To date, 2005: "The scientific understanding of climate more than 200 mayors representing more than 42 mil- change is now sufficiently clear to justify lion Americans in 38 states have signed on, pledging to nations taking prompt action."The world's reduce global warming carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution leading scientists ask us to "recognize that citywide to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012. [Go to delayed action will increase the risk of adverse seattle.gov/mayor/climate for more information on the environmental effects and will likely incur a mayors climate protection agreement.] greater cost." [Source: "Joint Science Academies' How will these cities accomplish these ambitious goals in the next seven years? And how can your city become a Cool City? Seattle: Cool City Model a ` ` '- T• The city of Seattle is on the forefront of global warm- , ing local solutions. Under Mayor Greg Nickels' leader- e _ ship, the city government has already reduced its own j global warming pollution by more than 60 percent by constructing green buildings and operating alternative fuel vehicles. Seattle City Light is the only electric utility in the country producing zero net greenhouse gas emis- sions, and the city is working to expand transportation choices, recycling, and urban forest restoration. lilt,, Mayor Nickels has also created a Green Ribbon rs •— 1 t�Ebrl�: aw Commission on Climate Protection, composed of busi- ness, environmental, government, community, and labor leaders. The Commission is developing a plan for Seattle to meet its global warming pollution reduction targets, and identifying key economic opportunities for Seattle's i transition to a clean energy future. "By making smart choices like building sustainable i buildings, replacing old vehicles with a Clean and Green' fleet, and setting strict `no-net-emissions' goals for Seattle City Light, the City has shown we can take Keeping Warm, Keeping COOT—In Klamath local action on global problems," said Mayor Nickels. Falls,Oregon,a geothermal district heating system keeps the sidewalks clear and dry at the Basin Transit LEARN MORE station.The 22,000 square-foot garden on the To find out about Seattle's Climate Initiative, see "green"roof of Chicago's city hall cools the building ci.seattle.wa.us/environment/climateinitiative.html during the city's hot summers. Cool CITIES! Cool Cities Across America WASHINGTON OREGON WISCONSIN NEW YORK NEW HAMPSHIRE RHODE ISLAND Seattle Portland Ashland New York Nashua Providence Tacoma Eugene Greenfield Albany Keene Pawtucket Bainbridge Island Corvallis La Crosse Rochester Manchester Warwick Bellingham Lake Oswego MINNESOTA Madison Hempstead VERMONT MASSACHUSETTS Lynnwood Apple Valley Washburn Mt.Vernon Burlington Boston Edmonds Wauwatosa Buffalo Cambridge Redmond Ede Prairie Ilis Ithaca Medford Issaquah ° MONTANA Minn apolis I N Niagara Falls Malden Kirkland ° oc<vl e ntre ' Renton ° Missoula St.Pa 1 An o Sc en �� Newton Southfie 1} ° Somerville Vancouve �LORADo Grand Ra i W� ins Lacey o Worcester Olympia , spen MI o A_ ° vy I CONNECTICUT BurienBoulder NEBRASKA on BridgeportSalt La e Ciry Flo'ssant hicag Auburn ver Bellevue ° OHIO NGTON,D.C. Easton Moab Tell ride P NSAS Kao s Ci Schaum urg Toled S Fairfield Park ry _'C'3ood Carol St amo YLVANIA CALIFORNIA ,X NEVADA o T St.Lou ' Klan Park, n delphia Hamden Apple Valle O HOMA Sunset ills ke xGarf ghts Hartford Aliso Viejo Las as o rmanBro Mansfield Arcata o Universi City INDI KE CKY C' D ARE Middletown Berkeley ARKANSA Ga ' ille mington New Haven Burbank "- ° Little k CO MARYLAND Stamford San4;eandro E exinq Capitola San NEW MEXICO TEXAS North L le F rt Way e t° r Annapolis NEW JERSEY Chino Santa Barbar Albuquerque Denton �c chiga City Baltimore Bayonne Cloverdale Santa Cruz Hurst Chevy Chase Bloomfield Cotati San Luis Obispo Austin LOUIS NA, ° VIRGINIA Elizabeth Del Mar Santa Monica Laredo New deans Alexandria Hamilton Dublin Santa Rosa inney o A n ri FLORID Virginia Beach Hope Fremont Sebastopol Miami `' ORiHCAROLINA Hopewell Hayward Sonoma Port St.Lucie Asheville Kearny Healdsburg Stockton West Palm Beach ° urham Newark Hemet Sunnyvale Gainseville Chapel Hill Plainfield Irvine Thousand Oaks Pompano Beach SOUTH CAROLINA Robbinsville Lakewood Vallejo Tamarac Charleston Westfield Long Beach West Hollywood Sunrise Sumter Los Angeles Windsor Hollywood Monterey Park HAWAII Holly Hill GEORGIA Morgan Hill Honolulu Lauderhill Atlanta Novato Maui Pembroke Pines Athens Oakland Hilo Miramar East Point Palo Alto to Q Tallahassee Macon Petaluma Key Biscayne Richmond y Key West Rohnert Park Hallandale Beach Sacramento San Bruno San Francisco San Jose As of February 27, 2006, 208 mayors from 38 states representing more than 42 million Americans have pledged to reduce global warming carbon pollution in their cities to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012. "With the passage of significant international accords and adoption of this statement by U.S.mayors,we have hope that the global community can successfully join together,as nations did to solve the problem of ozone depletion,to prevent the jmost devastating consequences of global climate change." —Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson J ® Cool CIITIIESL 4 PUTTING GLOBAL WARMING SOLUTIONS INTO ACTION Four Steps to Become a Cool City r9' Getting your city to become part of the fight against global warming is as simple as the four steps outlined below.These steps are modeled on the Cities for Climate Protection program, a successful initiative run by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives ` (ICLEI) to help cities reduce global warming pollution. Encouraging your city to join ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection program is an excellent way to fulfill the Cool Cities pledge. But any city can start making a difference by putting existing smart energy solutions to work today. `q Visit iclei.org for more information on the Cities for Climate Protection program. "Minneapolis has set high standards for CO2 reduction Step 1:Take the"Cool Cities"Pledge and we're meeting them—a strategy that has earned our city The first step towards curbing global warming pollution tremendous environmental and economic benefits.Climate disrup- in your community is to ask your mayor to sign the U.S. tion is a global problem but we feel the effects locally.We are thrilled Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.This agreement with Seattle and Mayor Greg Nickels'initiative and will work hard to sets the goal of reducing citywide global warming carbon challenge our nation through our example." dioxide (CO2) pollution to 7 percent below 1990 levels by —Minneapolis Mayor R.T.Rybak,in front of his hybrid car 2012. See seattle.gov/mayor/climate. Step 2:Conduct a Global Warming Emissions Inventory The next step is to conduct an inventory of your city's Step 4: Implement and Monitor Progress current global warming emissions.This information will identify the city's major CO2 sources (and the greatest Of course, a plan alone cannot-cut global warming pollu- opportunities for reductions), and will provide a baseline tion. It is essential that your city put the plan into action and to judge the city's progress towards its goal. Cities can monitor its progress periodically. With a strong commitment, receive technical assistance to conduct a global warming a sound plan, and real action, your city will be on its way toward meeting the goals of the U.S. Mayors Climate emissions inventory from a variety of sources including state and federal agencies as well as ICLEI through its Protection Agreement. Cities for Climate Protection program. Step 3:Create a Solutions Plan After completing its global warming inventory, your city will be ready to develop a solutions plan that can reduce emissions while lowering energy costs for the city. ❑ While every city's energy solutions plan will be unique, there are three important strategies: Green Vehicle Fleets, With a strong commitment, Energy Efficiency, and Renewable Energy. In some com- a sound Plan, and real action, bination, these solutions, which are illustrated with specific success stories later in this guide, will form the foundation your city will be on its way toward of your city's comprehensive energy-saving plan. meeting the goals of the U.S. Mayors For examples of Cool City Solutions Plans, visit sierraclub.org/coolcities Climate Protection Agreement. Cool CITIES Green Vehicle Solutions The technology exists today to significantly For a model green fleets ordinance, see the reduce global warming pollution from city of Denver's ordinance at America's cars, trucks, and SUVs. Improving www.greenfleets.org/denverrevised.html automobile fuel economy is the biggest single step to curbing global warming, since every Solution #2—Hybrid Vehicle gallon of gasoline burned creates 28 pounds of Incentives heat-trapping carbon dioxide pollution. [Source: Oak Ridge National Laboratory: U.S. In addition to purchasing hybrid vehicles Department of Energy.] for city fleets, local governments can encourage Because transportation is a major source of citizens and businesses to buy hybrid vehicles global warming pollution, numerous cities are with a wide range of incentives. Some cities are g gas-electric hybrid vehicles and already providing incentives such as free park- incorporatinother fuel-efficient vehicles into their fleets. By fee inlaor nd taxred vehicles and lower registration s. using less gasoline, hybrid vehicles release a fraction of the global warming pollution emit- Solution #3—Clean Buses ted by conventional vehicles while saving City residents have long had to endure the money at the gas pump. Cities are also switch- ing away from polluting diesel city and school sight and smell of black smoke belching from buses to cleaner alternatives like compressed dirty diesel-engine buses. Now many cities are natural gas (CNG) powered vehicles. replacing these polluting old buses with buses that run on cleaner compressed natural gas (CNG) or with hybrid-electric diesel engines. Solution #1—Green Fleets Governments of all sizes regularly purchase – ------ automobiles to help provide a wide range of "Increasingly,cities are providing the answers taxpayer services. Recognizing an opportunity to some of America's toughest problems.So it's fitting for action, many cities, counties, and states are that were leading the way on global warming as well." saving taxpayer dollars and reducing air pollu- —Madison,Wisconsin,Mayor Dave Cieslewicz tion by "greening" their fleets with hybrid gas- electric as-e ectric and other vehicles that go farther on a gallon of gas. . Currently, 48 U.S. towns and cities in 36 states have green fleets programs, as do 26 county and 17 state governments. From police departments and school districts to administra- tive agencies and taxi services, green fleets are a winning city solution. [Source: greenfleets.org] For a general overview and step-by-step advice for writing a green fleets ordinance in your city, go to greenfleets.org/stepone.html NOTE:You can find all links referenced in this report at sierraclub.org/coolcities. Cool CITIEfi J In April 2005,Bill White,the mayor of the nation's 4th largest city, announced plans to convert a substantial portion of the city of a r rl Houston's fleet of cars,pickup trucks,and sport utility vehicles to ' r .�t) hybrids by the year 2010.The city estimates that 80 percent of all —` new vehicle purchases and over 50 percent of the city's fleet could t`' y •, i� ,��.,. � � `+'-=" be hybrid vehicles by the year 2010. ' ahn Considering the size of the city's light duty fleet(more than 3,500), Houston's investment in hybrids will pay big dividends down the road.Over its projected five-year life-cycle,the Toyota Prius hybrid should provide net savings of almost$1,900,in comparison to a "* conventional gasoline-only full-sized sedan,according to a city of Houston study. Because hybrids are so fuel efficient,they release a fraction of the global warming pollution Gentlemen,Start Your emitted by conventional vehicles.Over the lifetime of the vehicle,a hybrid Toyota Prius will Hybrid Engines—Houston release 43 fewer tons of global warming pollution compared to an average sedan. Mayor Bill White announces "This makes economic sense,it makes environmental sense and it is going to set an example" I the greening of his city's fleet. said Mayor White."We're going to save on fuel costs and we're going to help save our air quality." LEARN MORE Details on the city of Houston's greenfleets program are available at: houstontx.gov/mayor/press/20050408.html RrOJEM E' ' 0 When Charlotte's fleet managers found that hybrid gas-electric vehicles are less expensive to operate than conventional cars,Mayor Pat McCrory and Council members Susan Burgess and John Tabor took action.Working with city staff and with the cooperation of Mecklen- burg County,the City Council supported a plan to bring the total number of hybrids in the fleet to over two dozen by the end of 2006—more than tripling the city/county's current number of hybrids. Although they typically cost more initially than standard _ gasoline-fueled cars,gas-sipping hybrids save on gasoline, have lower maintenance costs,and retain a higher resale r value at the end of their useful life,according to Charlotte's I Fleet Environmental Analyst David Friday. Mr.Friday estimates that switching from a gas-only Ford Taurus to a hybrid Toyota Prius or Honda Civic would save city taxpayers approximately$800-$1200 annually per vehicle, including over$400 in annual fuel costs. "This results in a payback of the extra purchase cost within 2.5 to 5.5 years,depending on the model chosen and miles driven;said Friday.[Source:"Ford Taurus to Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Prius Comparative Analysis,"David Friday,Charlotte Fleet Environmental Analyst, May 2005] LEARN MORE Charlotte's Fleet Environmental Analyst David Friday can be reached at dfriday@ci.chaHotte.nc.us. Cool CITIES --Marl*When gas-electric hybrid vehicles hit the market,Wyatt Earp,Director of Fleet Management for =E the Marion County Sheriff's Office in Florida,did some cost analysis to see whether it would be - a good idea to pay a little more up front for a car that gets superior mileage.The answer? - "It costs a little more to start with,but operating expenses are less,"says Earp."Plus,we'resMERifF working for the environment and showing people that we don't need to be so dependent on foreign oil" You Have the Right to Get The Toyota Prius vehicles are used by the department to deliver subpoenas,transfer prison- Good Mileage—For Wyatt Earp,director of fleet manage- ers,and run administrative errands.In addition,trained civilians use one of the hybrids to ment for Marion County sheriffs cruise the county checking out bridges,pipelines,and other potential terrorist targets as Department in Florida,purchasing part of the department's"Homeland Security Patrol". fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles and reducing dependence on oil make "We work to conserve as much energy as we can—that's our obligation to the American sense for the environment— people,"said Earp,a descendent of the legendary frontier lawman."We spend taxpayers' and the county budget. money wisely,and that means we don't run experiments.We've got a good car here.Hope- fully American car companies will offer something similar,soon" Earp also manages the annual procurement of cars for the Florida Sheriff's Association, which negotiates wholesale rates for about 5,000 city and county agencies.Last year it bought 100 hybrids."Now the word is getting around.I think we'll have 10 times more orders than we had last year,Earp says. LEARN MORE Visit the Marion County Public Affairs department's Web site at: marioncountyfl.org Vt/a-shingt0 ----------- The millions of visitors who visit our nation's capitol each year to see the monuments and museums can breathe easier because of the city's clean,natural gas buses which improve air quality and cut global warming _ pollution. THISBUS IS 3z RUNNING Over the past four years,the Washing- IANNp1ypV` ton Metropolitan Area Transit Authori- ty has replaced 414 of its polluting diesel buses with cleaner burning, compressed natural gas buses.Every natural gas bus replaces the need for I nearly 10,000 gallons of diesel fuel each year.Since natural gas buses release 25 percent less global warming emissions than diesel,these cleaner buses result in real cuts in global warming pollution. Natural gas buses also help to reduce smog.Compared to traditional diesel buses,the city's natural gas buses release over 50 percent less smog-forming nitrogen oxides and 85 per- cent less soot pollution. LEARN MORE Visit the Washington's transit authority Web site at: wmata.com/about/met_news/pressroom/archived_releases/pr_cng.cfm Cool CITIESU EnergyEfficiency Solutions Energy efficiency means using less costs and reducing pollution. energy through better technology to power The U.S. Green Building Council has also developed buildings, light streets, and industry. Reducing LEED standards for existing buildings. The standards pro- energy use is one of the most cost-effective and vide guidance on improving the energy efficiency of fastest ways to save energy and reduce global building operations and other systems without making warming pollution. major changes to the interior and exterior of the build- Every city can make substantial energy effi- ing. Cities around the country have made major strides ciency improvements by putting policies in in improving the energy efficiency of police and fire sta- place to promote efficient technologies and tions, city office buildings, and schools. integrating them into planning decisions. The policies outlined below represent some of the Solution #3—Energy Efficient Street Lighting most effective steps currently being taken on Street lighting and traffic signals can use a significant the city and local level. amount of energy. By replacing traditional light fixtures Solution #1—Making New Buildings with super-efficient light emitting diode (LED) bulbs, MoreEnergy Efficient cities are reaping energy and cost savings. . Incorporating energy efficiency requirements Solution #4—Public Benefit Funds into municipal building codes increases the Cities with community-owned, local municipal utili- overall energy efficiency of new buildings. Many ties can integrate energy efficiency into the city's overall cities have chosen to adopt the Leadership in energy plan. If your city has a municipal utility, it can Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) set up a local Public Benefits Fund (PBF), where a small standards created by the United States Green surcharge on consumer energy bills is used to create a Building Council (usgbcorg). LEED standards fund to finance energy efficiency projects in the utility provide energy efficient design guidelines for a service area, thus lowering the overall energy costs for variety of building types and developments. consumers. Austin Energy (austinenergy.com) and the Sacramento Solution #2—Energy Efficiency Municipal Utility District (smud.org) are examples of Retrofits to Existing Buildings municipal utilities that have used public benefit funds to In addition to improving the energy effi- lower energy use and costs through energy efficiency. ciency of new buildings, cities can make sub- stantial energy efficiency improvements to Solution #5—Combined Heat and Power existing buildings. Modernizing lighting, heat- Cities and businesses can also benefit from energy ing, cooling, and other operations can reduce efficient combined heat and power (CHP) systems. the energy requirements of existing buildings These systems produce both electricity and steam for in a cost-effective manner, lowering energy heating and cooling from a single power plant located near consumers. As a result, CHP systems recover heat that is normally wasted at power plants and funnel the heat into surrounding buildings.This reduces energy - - - - --^ costs and lowers pollution by eliminating the need for "The International Panel on Climate separate fuel sources for electricity and heating. Change has warned-that New Orleans is the North American city most vulner- ableto the effects of climate change. The rise of the Earth's temperature,causing sea level increases that could add up to one foot over the next 30 years,threatens the very exis- tence of New Orleans.We will continue to col- laborate and support efforts on global warming:" —New Orleans Mayor C.Ray Nagin Cool CETIESL9 C JL Salt Lake City has dramatically reduced its energy costs by aggressively pursuing energy efficiency measures.Currently,the city saves over$32,000 a year on its energy costs as a result of installing 861 light emitting diode(LED)traffic signals.The city plans to expand this program to all of its 1630 red and green lights,which is expected to save over 500 tons of heat-trapping carbon dioxide(CO2) Pol—lution each year with annual cost sav- ings of$53,000.The city has also found that LED signals require less mainte- nance than conventional lighting. _ " ( In addition,the city has replaced the 4 r�M� I conventional incandescent bulbs in its e city and county office buildings with more energy efficient compact fluores- cent bulbs(CFLs).These bulbs use much less energy and last significantly longer,saving the city over$33,000 a year and reducing CO2 emissions by 344 tons per year. These energy efficiency measures are a part of a city wide action plan to protect the envi- ronment and reduce global warming emissions. l LEARN MORE Read Salt Lake City's plan at slcgov.com/environment/actionplan.htm 5-I_o-ttbU01e The city of Scottsdale has been a a ,x leader in the Southwest on energy f _ efficiency for buildings.In 1998, i Scottsdale introduced Arizona's first green building program which helps builders and home ownerso- T 0 learn about how to integrate ener- i /� ` gy efficiency and water saving fea- tures into new homes.Between 1 1998 and 2003,the green building '` program worked with 99 builders _ and issued 230 permits for green . building projects in the city. In March 2005,Scottsdale became the first city in the nation to require 0 that all new city buildings and renovation projects meet LEED GOLD standards for energy Harnessing the Desert Sun— efficiency and sustainability-one of the highest LEED ratings. New energy-efficient homes in LEARN MORE S Scottsdale use both renewable tech- nologies like solar panels,as well as Read about Scottsdale's green building program at scottsdaleaz gov/greenbuilding = thick adobe walls that cool the house in the summer and keep it warmer in the winter. Cool DUMB 10 00 ' Twin Falls Like many other school districts around the country with growing numbers of students and decreasing budgets,the Twin Falls school district began searching for creative ways to reduce costs.School officials realized that the district could reduce energy costs and cut pollution by increasing the energy efficiency of its 11 schools.The upgrades included more efficient lighting and improvements to the heating,ventilation,and air-conditioning sys- tems.The upgrades are expected to generate$3.5 million in energy savings. In an innovative financing agreement,the school district signed an energy savings perform- ance contract with Minnesota-based Honeywell Corporation.Under a performance con- tract,a private company pays to make energy efficient improvements and is then reim- bursed with the money saved through lower energy bills over the lifetime of the project. According to Dr.John Miller,the Director of Operations for the Twin Falls School District,the performance contract gave the school district"the capital to accomplish in months,what would have normally taken us a decade to complete because of budget constraints." j LEARN MORE The Twin Falls school district project Web site is available at newsiteschoolfadlities.com/cd_1695.aspx $t. Paul During the long,cold Minnesota winters,the majority of the buildings in downtown Saint Paul m stay warm using District Energy's energy-efficient 'j combined heat and power(CHP)system.Provid- ing electricity to the grid and heating service to �I more than 80 percent of downtown Saint Paul ;' j _ i i and adjacent areas,including the Minnesota State f Capitol and nearly 300 homes,the system uses heat drawn from a biomass-fired power plant Ilgl located in the heart of the city. v Ilgi n rt_� _ JJ By using a renewable resource as its primary fuel °J _ _I and by capturing ambient heat that would other- LL r wise have been wasted,St.Paul's CHP system �.M reduces overall energy consumption,costs,and - pollution. LEARN MORE Details of Saint Paul's CHP system are available at districtenergy.com/currentactivities/chp.htmi Heat and Power— By producing both heat and electricity from one power plant, the District Energy plant helps save money and cut pollution. ® Cool CUTI ES > > Renewable Energy Solutions By harnessing natural sources of energy Solution #3—City Utility Contracts like the sun and the wind, renewable ener- Some cities are incorporating renewable gy sources can replace our reliance on outdated, energy requirements into their contract polluting power plants that rely on fossil fuels. renewals with privately owned local utilities. Today's solar panels efficiently transform sun- For example, Denver, Colorado is working light into electricity while blending into the with its local utility, Xcel Energy, to establish design of homes and office buildings. Modern modest renewable energy goals as part of the wind turbines rise high above the ground, cap- city's contract. turing the strongest winds to produce reliable electricity. Currently, dirty fossil fuel power plants account for over a third of the nation's total A. global warming emissions. Meeting our energy .' needs with clean, renewable energy can move the country towards a brighter, cleaner, and cheaper energy future. "►' Cities around the country are discovering that investing in innovative renewable energy sources c ' reduces global warming pollution and creates a 4 �. reliable source of clean, homegrown electricity. r Solution #1—Renewable Energy Standards A renewable energy standard requires an increase in the percentage of electricity from clean, renewable energy sources (such as wind and solar power) in a city or utility area by a spe- z cific target date.These standards are phased in over time so that renewable energy capacity can rr..,, ! be built and incorporated into the necessary energy management and reliability plans. For I .� instance, a 20 percent Renewable Energy 't Standard could be phased in over ten years, ^ requiring an additional 2 percent of electricity generation to come from renewable sources each year. Cities that operate municipal utilities have ' been able to set renewable energy standards for their community-owned utilities. Clean Energy,Good Jobs—Clean energy invest- Solution#2—Solar and Wind ments not only save taxpayer dollars and protect the Installations environment,they also create good jobs for the future. One example is the rooftop solar panels powering Some cities are moving forward by financ- Northeastern University's Eli Student Center in Boston. ing the construction of renewable energy proj- ects themselves. In some cases, cities are work- ing with local municipal utilities to construct wind turbines. In other cases, cities are work- ing with privately owned utilities and renew- able energy developers to construct solar arrays on city buildings, schools, and homes. i Cool CITIES 12 00 Fort-Co `tFTS o o • o Sitting along the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountain Front,the city of Fort Collins has e- Y embraced renewable energy and energy efficiency as key components to meet the city's energy needs.In 2003,the City Council adopted the Electric Energy Supply Policy which aims to"maintain high system reliability,maintain competitive electric rates,and reduce the environmental impact of electricity generation" This program sets strong clean energy targets and is working to produce 15 percent of the city's electricity with renewable energy by 2017 and reduce per capita energy consump- tion 10 percent by 2012.Over the full time frame of the program,Fort Collins expects to reduce its global warming carbon dioxide emissions by 472,000 tons. Clean energy is not only reducing global warming emissions in Fort Collins,but it is also saving money by reducing costs.According to the city's municipal utility,the cost of meeting energy needs through energy efficiency is about 1.7 cents per kWh,while the t' cost of providing energy is about 3.7 cents per kWh.That means that in Fort Collins ener- gy ner gy efficiency is meeting citizens'needs at half the cost of energy coming from existing - power plants. According to Michael B.Smith,Fort Collins'Utilities General Manager,"We are pleased that some of our future energy growth will come from renewable energy sources.The Electric Energy Supply Policy is a positive blueprint for the future" Funding for the city's efficiency and renewable energy programs comes from a 2 per- cent increase in customer rates.Even with these increases,Fort Collins continues to enjoy electricity rates below the state average,and will see lower energy costs as a result of the energy efficiency programs. LEARN MORE Read Fort Collins'Electric Energy Supply Policy at ci.fort-collins.co.us/utilities/energypolicy.php Coi m-b ' mmum Last year,with 78 percent of the vote,the citizens of Columbia,Missouri overwhelming- ly approved a plan to require the city to increase its use of renewable energy sources, like wind and solar power,over the next 20 years.The measure will create a Renewable Energy Standard that requires that the city's municipal utility obtain 2 percent of its power from renewable energy by 2007,ramping up to 15 percent by 2022. Columbia's successful ballot initiative is part of a growing national trend of voter-driven policies to increase the use of clean,renewable energy sources.Voters in Colorado recently approved a statewide Renewable Energy Standard that requires utilities in the state to produce 10 percent of their electricity with clean energy sources like wind and solar power by 2015. LEARN.MORE Additional information about Columbia's renewal energy standard is available at dsireusa.org/documents/incentives/MO04R.htm oo . Cool CIITEES 13 Waverlyo Wind energy is not only generating pollu- tion-free energy to the town of Waverly, �®c�,acr but it is also providing local economic j . development.As the first municipal utility in the United States to install its own wind turbines,Waverly Light&Power serves 4,300 customers in a 33 square-mile area. y ~ra The utility has constructed wind turbines on land leased from local farmers,creating �� •r,^ '' electricity for the city and additional income for the farmers.. � K Waverly Light&Power's Board of Trustees has set a goal of increasing wind produc- tion to 10 percent of the total local power supply,and is advancing quite well towards that target.Currently,the city's wind tur- bines generate 5.52 percent of the area's _ total electricity generation,and provide enough electricity to meet the needs of 761 homes each year.That translates into a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 6,850 tons per year. LEARN MORE Read more on Waverly Light&Power's Web site at waverlyia.com "This is not only an environmental protection issue,but also an economic development and sustainability issue. Protecting our environment,we are protecting our resources and preserving them for future generations to come." —Hallandale Beach,Florida,Mayor Joy Cooper CONCLUSION— Re-Energizing Your City As the success stories in this guide prove, cities are making real progress cutting global warming pollution. No longer waiting for , the federal government to act, mayors and " other local leaders are putting into place +' winning energy solutions right now. By using the innovative technologies of cleaner cars, energy efficiency and renewable energy, cities across America are protecting our health and environment, while saving tax- t payer dollars. As the news of these successful city solu- tions spreads, more cities are joining in the Cool Cities movement.Together, they are { helping to lead our country and our world into a new energy future. And that's cool. Now it's your city's turn. 1• •t' j. I Ing LEARN MORE:sierradub org/cooldties TAKE ACTION: 1.Join the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement to reduce global warming pollution 2. Green your city's vehicle fleets with hybrid and other cleaner cars 3. Modernize city buildings with money- saving energy efficiency technology 4. Invest in clean and safe, renewable energy