5. Green Iniatives - LMC documentFO
LEAGUE of CONNECTING & INNOVATING
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AAINNESOTA SINCE 1913
CITIES
Cities Display Green Leadership
The following are examples of some of the "green" initiatives Minnesota cities have engaged in to
increase energy efficiency and take better care of the environment. This is not a comprehensive list
of activities or cities, but city leaders can use this list to generate their own ideas and network with
other communities to get more details.
Alternative fuels for heating and cars. Cities are using a variety of alternative fuels, including
biodiesel, ethanol fuel, and electricity (hybrid) for cars, and geothermal energy to heat facilities.
• Barnesville, population 2,300
• Elk River, population 22,500
• Minneapolis, population 388,000
• Prior Lake, population 21,400
• Richfield, population 34,000
• St. Paul, population 287,000
Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. CFLs use 75 percent less energy than a traditional
incandescent light bulb. Many cities are now using CFLs in their city facilities, and some even
give CFL bulbs to their residents.
• Anoka, population 18,000
• Barnesville, population 2,300
• Elk City, population 22,500
Composting. Many organic materials that traditionally have gone to the landfill can be turned into
compost and used as a soil conditioner and fertilizer. At least one Minnesota city is offering an
incentive to residents to separate organic materials (including certain types of cardboard, paper
goods, food, and yard waste) from other garbage. These materials are then taken to a compost
facility. This program has resulted in a 47 percent reduction in landfill deposits.
• Hutchinson, population 14,000
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Energy/water use reduction. This could happen in a number of ways, including turning off street
lights at an earlier hour; requiring computers to be shut down when buildings are closed;
maximizing use of natural light; limiting the amount of time city vehicles can sit idling; and
installing programmable thermostats, water -efficient fixtures, motion -sensor lights, and high -
quality insulation.
• Anoka, population 18,000
• Apple Valley, population 50,000
• Minneapolis, population 388,000
• New Ulm, population 13,700
• Prior Lake, population 21,400
• Rushford Village, population 800
Green roofs. This is a roof that uses living plant material as part of the roofing system. A green
roof affords many environmental benefits, including lowering heating and cooling costs.
• Minneapolis, population 388,000
LED lights. This type of lighting uses about 97% less energy than a traditional incandescent light
bulb. They also use less energy than CFLs, but they are not as bright and they cost much more.
Their use was limited to only certain types of light until recently. Some cities are now using LED
lights for such things as Christmas decorations, street signals, and cooler doors.
• Lakeville, population 51,800
• Minneapolis, population 388,000
• New Ulm, population 13,700
LEED-certified buildings. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green
Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), provides a
suite of standards for environmentally sustainable construction. The USGBC offers a certification
for buildings it deems meet the standards, and some Minnesota cities' building have been awarded
the certification.
• Elk River, population 22,000
• Minneapolis, population 388,000
• Savage, population 24,700
No -waste or "green" events. These include events such as picnics in which participants bring
food in all reusable containers, resulting in as little trash as possible. Some cities have had sporting
events in which environmentally friendly practices were observed, such as recycling, reusing, or
composting all refuse.
Edina, population 47,500
Farmington, population 18,000
Richfield, population 34,000
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Planting and protecting trees/green space. The value of trees and green space is indisputable.
Some cities have engaged in innovative initiatives, such as giving tree seeds to residents,
preserving land for green space rather than development, and planting new trees.
• Lakeville, population 51,800
• Minneapolis, population 388,000
• Minnetrista, population 5,500
Recycling. Most cities now have a basic recycling program, but some have taken it a step further.
For example, some cities have additional programs for recycling large quantities of corrugated
cardboard or large items such as computers and TVs, while others have groups that pick up
recyclable materials from the grounds of public places.
• Barnesville, population 2,300
• Farmington, population 18,000
• Prior Lake, population 21,400
• St. Paul, population 287,000
• Waseca, population 9,700
Refuse -derived energy. Some cities have facilities in which they can process trash to generate
such energy sources as fuel and electricity.
• Elk River, population 22,500
• Farmington, population 18,000
Resident/business incentive programs. Some cities offer incentives to residents or businesses to
do such things as recycle materials, use hydroelectric heating, and other things that conserve
energy and natural resources.
• Barnesville, population 2,300
• Minneapolis, population 388,000
• Oakdale, population 27,500
• St. Louis Park, population 44,400
• St. Paul, population 287,000
Solar power. Some cities are now using this alternative energy in a variety of forms, including
solar tube lighting and solar panels on buildings.
• Lakeville, population 51,800
• Minneapolis, population 388,000
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Water reuse/stormwater management. Cities have invested in a variety of ways to reuse water
(such as backwash water from water treatment plant filters) as well as manage and reuse
stormwater. This is done through the use of such things as rain gardens, underground storage
tanks, and drywell systems.
• Apple Valley, population 50,000
• Burnsville, population 61,000
• Elk River, population 22,500
• Lakeville, population 51,800
• Minneapolis, population 388,000
• Mound, population 9,800
• New Auburn, population 500
• Prior Lake, population 21,400
• Richfield, population 34,000
• Sartell, population 13,200
• St. Anthony Village, population 8,400
• St. Paul, population 287,000
• Wells, population 2,500
Wind -powered electricity. Some cities are now generating wind energy through the use of wind
turbines.
• Apple Valley, population 50,000
• Barnesville, population 2,300
• Duluth, population 85,000
• Elk River, population 22,500
• Mountain Lake, population 2,000
• Northfield, population 19,400
Fall 2008