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Greening Brighton

Greening Brighton. Sandra L. Frankel Supervisor Town of Brighton www.townofbrighton.org www.colorbrightongreen.org. © Town of Brighton. Local Municipal Green Initiatives. Sustainable Business and Green Building Conference

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Greening Brighton

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  1. GreeningBrighton Sandra L. Frankel Supervisor Town of Brighton www.townofbrighton.orgwww.colorbrightongreen.org © Town of Brighton

  2. Local Municipal Green Initiatives Sustainable Business and Green Building Conference The Rochester Green Business Network (RGBN) and the Center forEnvironmental Information (CEI) 2nd AnnualTriple Bottom Line Conference and Expo Tuesday, April 29, 2008 Clarion Hotel Rochester, New York

  3. “It’s not easy being green…” Kermit the Frog on Sesame Street • Sesame Street’s Kermit the Frog wisely focused on what it means to be green. • Adaptation, which is essential for survival, means change. Change isn’t easy, but it’s easier being green than we think. • We must change our thinking, our behavior, and our culture to sustain a healthy environment and protect our planet’s future.

  4. Presentation Outline • Task force history • Internal government actions • Government-community interface • Community programs • Future plans

  5. First Steps Town-sponsored showing of An Inconvenient Truth and panel discussion Establishment of Green Brighton Task Force Endorsement of Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement Membership in ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainabilityand its Cities for Climate Protection program

  6. Green Brighton Task Force Mission The mission of the Green Brighton Task Force is to empower and encourage the Town of Brighton and its residents and institutions to use resources efficiently with an eye toward long-term sustainability and stewardship of our local and global environment.

  7. Task Force Organization

  8. Steering Committee Dennis Adams: Town of Brighton Conservation Board Chair, Corbett’s Glen Advisory Council Dr. Karen Berger: Town of Brighton Conservation Board, Green Brighton Task Force (GBTF) Chairperson, Environmental Scientist Rome Celli: Brighton Chamber of Commerce Vice President, Brighton School Board, REALTOR®-Broker Cheryl Frank: Musician, GBTF Education Committee Chair Steve Kittelberger: Chemical Engineer, GBTF Operations Committee Chair Tom Low: Town of Brighton Commissioner of Public Works. GBTF Code Committee Chair Dr. Chris Manaseri: Brighton School Superintendent James Vogel: Brighton Town Board Public Works Committee Chair

  9. 2007 Community Energy Consumption Percent of Total Energy Consumption Electricity (kWh)Natural Gas (thm) Municipal 1.1% 5.5% Industrial 0.1% 0.4% Residential 62.2%47.9% Commercial 36.7%46.2% Based on data from Rochester Gas and Electric

  10. Operations: Opportunities for Municipal Savings • Energy efficient street lighting • Energy efficient indoor lighting • Energy efficient heating/cooling systems • Use of alternative fuels, more efficient vehicles and energy-saving policies • Waste reduction and recycling • Water conservation and recycling • Use of energy efficient STAR appliances, equipment, and computers; energy-saving practices

  11. 2005 Municipal Energy Usage Inventory completed using ICLEI software

  12. Operations: Governmental Action • Streetlights ($351,000): • In conversation with RG&E • Vehicles ($234,000): • Getting free CO2 Reduction Study from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Center for Integrated Management Studies (CIMS) • Alternative fuels • Alternative vehicles • Operational procedures • New infrastructure

  13. Operations: GovernmentalAction • Buildings ($194,000): • New York Power Authority (NYPA) free energy audit results pending • Investigating better insulation • Approved Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to phase installation of energy saving windows at Town Hall • Investigating geothermal heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrade for Town Hall • Replaced incandescent light bulbs with compactfluorescent bulbs; installed new energy efficient exit signs in Town Hall

  14. Action*…Already • Designated Tree City U.S.A. for 6 years, adopted Tree Preservation Law and Urban Forestry Plan • Created 400 acre town-wide park system to preserve green space, protect environmentally sensitive areas, and provide active and passive recreation • Developed town-wide trail system to promote pedestrian and bicycle travel • Turned off computers at the end of the workday unless necessary for operations • Adopted Town Board policy on vehicle idling • Installed energy efficient exit signs in Town Hall • Replaced incandescent light bulbs with energy saving compact fluorescent bulbs

  15. More Action*…Already • Purchased flex fuel police vehicles • Recycled composted yard debris as free mulch for residents • Led regional coalition to comply with Federal Phase II Stormwater Regulations • Approved wetlands and water course protection in the Comprehensive Plan, Town Code, and SEQRA process • Offered electronic equipment recycling service for the community • Cleaned up “brownfields” • Participated in Monroe County paper, metal and glass recycling program * As of April 29, 2008

  16. Code: Government-Community Interface • Mission Statement: The goal of the Code Committee is to empower and to encourage Brighton’s governments, residents, businesses, and institutions to use resources in an efficient and sustainable way, through the Town’s policies and regulations over building and land development.

  17. Code: Sample Reference Materials Green Building Council’s “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” (“LEED”) standards U.S. Mayors’ “Climate Action Handbook” Global Green’s “Developing Green Building Programs” Town of Irondequoit’s Environmental Sustainability Task Force’s final report

  18. Code: RegulatoryAction • Encourage green building practices • Adopt LEED certification as an amenity in Incentive Zoning regulation • Develop a regulatory guideline for use of sustainable technologies • Expand Environmental Impact Statements under SEQRA to consider energy use, carbon footprint, and sustainability concerns • Provide information on green building practices upon application for approval in the development review process • Develop green specifications for bid documents • Meet with contractors

  19. Code: Future Regulatory Action • Investigate incentives or requirements for LEED certification in commercial and/or residential buildings • Develop bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly regulations • Encourage consideration of alternative transit accessibility in all new developments • Create list of sustainability principles for incorporation in the Comprehensive Plan

  20. Code: Future Regulatory Considerations • Solar collection systems • Range of reasonable alternatives • Off-street parking regulations • Forestry Plan • Commercial lighting • Mass transportation • Comprehensive Development Regulations • Public construction projects • Private projects funded with public dollars • Rain Garden

  21. Education: Community Programs 10% Challenge Climate Change Café Brighton Clean Sweep Green Energy Fair Curb Your Car Week Green Business Award Brighton Farmers Market

  22. The 10% Challenge • Kicked off on January 7, 2008 with community meeting and energy exhibit • Approved 10% Challenge for town government operations • Encourages residents and businesses to pledge • 212 households, 16 businesses to date (5/12/08) • Periodic surveys establish baseline and monitor results • Website includes table of quantifiable reductions, tips, and blogs

  23. Climate Change Café • Held on March 16, 2008 • Based on David Gershon’s Low Carbon Diet: How to Lose 5,000 pounds in 30 days • Attended by 47 people, including 12 children • Created eco-teams to build community and support efficiency efforts • Anticipate holding more cafés in the future jointly with other organizations

  24. Brighton Clean Sweep • Earth Day town-wide clean up and beautification project • Removed litter and recycled • Involved more than 500 people • Partnered with schools, civic organizations, the faith community, businesses, sponsors, and county and state government • Built community spirit and pride

  25. Green Energy Fair • Sunday, May 4, 2008, noon - 4pm at Buckland Park • Approximately 300 to 400 people attended • Features: • Tables with businesses and non-profits • Student projects • Educational presentations • Children’s bicycle parade • Door prizes • Food and entertainment

  26. Curb Your Car Week May 18-23, 2008 Participants register and agree not to drive a car or to commute alone to work at least once during the week Approximately 360 people registered (5/11/08) “Breakfast on the Green” for participants Possible supporting efforts include: Working with Human Resources departments to support telecommuting Working with RGRTA for discounted bus passes Raffles for participants

  27. Green Business Award In partnership with the Brighton Chamber of Commerce Criteria for Award: Located in the Town of Brighton Completes the Color Brighton Green 10% Challenge pledge form Has implemented its green programs, procedures or improvements between September 1, 2006 and March 31, 2008 Complies with all Brighton town zoning and building codes Completes online nomination form

  28. Brighton Farmers Market • Goals *encourage locally-produced food *build community • Opening June 1st, 2008 • Promote access by walking, bicycling, and mass transit with central location at Twelve Corners • Support sustainable farming practices

  29. Future Plans • Present final report with recommendations of the Operations and Code committees to the Town Board by September 2008 • Public information meeting on final report • Ensure representation of green views in Comprehensive Plan (beginning fall ’08) and Town Code updates • Create an Environmental Sustainability Committee appointed by the Town Supervisorto review the following: • Sustainability in building projects • Town budget and capital plans

  30. Past, Present, and Future • Create a culture of conservation • Town government • Schools • Community • Continue to foster citizen engagement through the 10% Challenge and other Color Brighton Green programs • Network with other communities and organizations to educate about and support green efforts

  31. Opportunities • Develop a plan • Seek energy conservation and environmental protection grants/block grant funding (EEBG program) • Monitor New York State Environmental Assessment Form adjustments • Consider LEED-EB (existing building) standards • Partnerwith schools, municipalities, Chambers of Commerce, Realtors, home buyers, commercial developers, colleges and universities • Create new green jobs

  32. Thank You for Thinking Globallyand Acting Locally! By working together, we will have a clean and healthy environment, save money, benefit national security, and grow green jobs. • Triple Bottom Line • Green Brighton Task Force • Community members who engage in energy conservation and carbon footprint reduction • Brighton Town Board • Brighton Town Staff

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