Team Co-chairs: Mark Owens, Jim Hurm, Keith Barnes

Team Members: PLEASE JOIN (WRITE YOUR NAME HERE)

Mission

Develop and manage the Comprehensive Energy Saving Plan by implementing programs to encourage alternative energy use and conservation which will result in Austin / Mower County reaching State goals on greenhouse gas emission levels.

Goals

   A) Implement the Four Steps to becoming "Cool City, County or Community."

      Step 1: Take the "Cool Cities" pledge to sign the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

      Step 2: Conduct a Global Warming Emission Inventory for the City of Austin residential, commercial and government sectors.

      Step 3: Create a Solution Plan as a comprehensive energy-saving plan for same.

      Step 4: Implement and monitor progress

   Ð’) Coordinate Austin and Mower County activities to assist in meeting the greenhouse gas reduction targets set in the Global Warming Mitigation Act of 2007, calling for a reduction from 2005 levels of at least: 15 percent by 2015; 30 percent by 2025; and 80 percent by 2050.

Action Plan

  1. Establish a "local governments" GreenTeam which will then work with all sectors to accomplish THE ABOVE goals and THIS action plan of thIs PARTNERSHIP GreenTeam.

      a. Identify policies and procedures local governments have already adopted -- County, City, Austin Utilities, Schools.

      b. Build contacts in each Mower County city. Encourage each to be "Cool City" (Step 1).

      c. Identify and recommend "low hanging fruitв“ for each local government:

          i. Policies and activities that have clear cost savings i.e. ant-idling policy.

          ii. Local government buildings and operations, i.e. energy efficient lighting, LED traffic signals, hybrid autos, energy efficient electronics and appliances.   

          iii. Education of local government employees on saving energy.

     d. Include environmental stewardship in local governments' mission/vision.

  2. Work with the RENEWABLE ENERGY GreenTeam to research and work on issues with and for local governments, including:

     a. Wind generation  job creation and zoning issues.

     b. Solar energy - job creation and zoning issues.

     c. Use of small and large hydropower units.

 3. Assist local government TO conduct a citywide Greenhouse Gas Inventory (Step 2).

     a. Identify sources and likely areas of reduction.

     b. Seek assistance from the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI).

 4. Assist local governments with benchmarking government buildings through a cost free ENERGY STAR program associated with the National Association of Counties.

 5. Create and assist local governments to adopt a Solution Plan, a comprehensive energy savings plan, (Step 3) to help the State of Minnesota reach its greenhouse gas reduction targets.

     a. Green vehicle solutions

     b. Energy efficiency solutions

     c. Develop a Green Checklist (LEED Standard) for public buildings and projects.

     d. Renewable energy solutions.

 6. Work with the COMMUNICATION GreenTeam to promote and implement the Solution Plan and to report on progress to local government boards and to citizens ( Step 4).

Current Project Objectives

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