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www.GoGreenVA.org. Jay Fisette Member, Virginia Municipal League Vice-Chair, Arlington County Board. Why Should We Care?. Climate Change “ The environmental issue of this and the next generation.“ – Gov. Tim Kaine Energy Security = National Security Community Sustainability
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www.GoGreenVA.org Jay Fisette Member, Virginia Municipal League Vice-Chair, Arlington County Board
Why Should We Care? • Climate Change “The environmental issue of this and the next generation.“ – Gov. Tim Kaine • Energy Security = National Security • Community Sustainability • Cost Savings
What is Climate Change? Source: Carbon Mitigation Initiative: www.princeton.edu/~cmi
Main Climate Impacts Changes in Precipitation Ice Cap Melting Ocean Circulation Upheaval Clouds Climate Change Process Average Temperature Rise Abrupt Climate Changes Carbon Cycle Disturbances Greenhouse Effect Increase in Impermeable Surfaces Urbanization Increase in Sea Level Land Use Changes CO2 Floods Heat Waves N2O Deforestation CH4 Droughts Fossil Fuel Burning Disasters Economic Losses Transport Diseases Spread Agriculture Housing Industry Famines Casualties Human Activities Major Threats Source: Carbon Mitigation Initiative: www.princeton.edu/~cmi
Global Average Temperature Source: Steven Chu – U.S. DOE (March 2009)
Virginia: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections Source: DEQ Presentation to Governor’s Commission on Climate Change; March 2008
World Fossil Fuel Usage Source: Carbon Mitigation Initiative: www.princeton.edu/~cmi (2005)
World Oil Consumption Source: Energy Information Administration, US DOE April 2008
Trends: US Oil Production, Imports, & Consumption Source: Energy in the United States: 1635-2000, USDOE
Oil Dependence:U.S. Imports by Country Source: Energy Information Administration, US DOE April 2008
Sustainability of Our Communities • Wikipedia on Sustainability: “A characteristic of a process or state that can be maintained at a certain level indefinitely.” • Challenges: • Rising energy costs of facilities • Rising gas costs for fleet vehicles • Congestion, sprawl development, pedestrian safety • Waste management, storm water management mandates • Capacity and aging of waste water treatment plants • Loss of tree canopy • Inability to attract/retain quality employees • Short-term Cost Savings • Longer term Cost Avoidance and Protecting the Quality of Life
Local Governments Respond • NLC, NACO, ICLEI • VML’s Go Green Virginia Initiative • Challenge • Forums • Website/Resources • Model for Other States • North Carolina & Michigan
Green Government Challenge 11 Categories: • Government Policy Adoption • Energy Efficiency • Green Buildings • Waste Management • Vehicles • Land Use/Transportation • Water/Air Quality • Employee Incentives • Education/Community Participation • Schools • Innovation
Green Government Challenge • A Friendly Competition • Easy Registration: www.GoGreenVA.org • Extensive Background on Website - fuller description - examples/links - helpful resources • Submit the Challenge online by Sept. 30 • Receive certificate and/or cash award at annual VML conference in October
Town of Dayton Wins 2nd PlacePopulation: 1,400 “The Town of Dayton is grateful to VML for sponsoring this contest. It motivated our town to implement new policies and improvements to reduce carbon emissions and protect our natural resources. While investing in energy efficiency measures, we not only help to save the earth’s environment—we also save financially in operating costs. The more we all contribute now, the greater the rewards for generations to come.” - Mayor Judy Way
Green Government Challenge 2008 Winners Population over 90,000 1st Place (tie) -- Loudoun County 1st Place (tie) -- City of Roanoke 3rd Place -- City of Alexandria Loudoun County Population 15,001 - 90,000 1st Place -- City of Charlottesville 2nd Place -- Town of Blacksburg 3rd Place -- James City County Charlottesville Population under 15,000 1st Place -- City of Williamsburg 2nd Place -- Town of Dayton 3rd Place (tie) -- City of Falls Church 3rd Place (tie) -- Town of Abingdon Abingdon
Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) $60.7M to Virginia • Formula City & County Program • ($44,574,600 – VA Cities & Counties) • Every city and town w/ a population of 35,000+ • Every county with a population of 200,000+ • In Virginia: 28 cities/counties • State Energy Office • ($16,145,300 – VA DMME) • State passes through at least 60% to remaining cities and counties ($9.7M) • State decides how to award these funds Cities/Towns: Alexandria, Arlington, Blacksburg, Charlottesville, Chesapeake, Danville, Hampton, Harrisonburg, Leesburg, Lynchburg, Manassas, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Richmond, Roanoke, Suffolk, Virginia Beach Counties: Albemarle, Chesterfield, Fairfax, Hanover, Henrico, Loudoun, Prince William, Roanoke, Spotsylvania, and Stafford
EECBG Eligible Activities Activities Eligible = Green Government for EECBG $$ Challenge Actions Action #2: Create an Energy Improvement Plan Action #4: Conduct an energy audit of 2+ government facilities Action #5: Purchase electric power from renewable sources or install renewable energy technology (solar, wind, or geothermal) for use in government facilities. Action #13: Establish a community-wide recycling collection program Action #14: Adopt a “Green Fleet” policy Action #19: Develop/implement a plan for tree preservation & planting Action #22: Provide employee benefits for ride sharing, walking, biking, or taking transit to work
Something to Think About “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” ~ Native American Proverb
Thanks! Let’s Get Going… For more information contact: Go Green Virginia c/o Virginia Municipal LeagueP.O. Box 12164, Richmond, VA 23241 Email: info@GoGreenVA.orgTelephone: (804) 649-8471