Progress Report on the Environment
Monday, March 28, 2011
Julie Burch
Assistant City Manager
City Council Focus Area Plan
“Charlotte will become a national leader in environmental
initiatives to preserve our natural resources while
balancing growth with sound fiscal policy.”
Community
Safety
Economic
Development
Environment
Housing &
Neighborhood
Development
Transportation
City Council Focus Area Plan
2010 City Environment Initiatives
• Support sustainability by making wise decisions regarding growth
and development;
• Lead and support efforts to improve Charlotte and regional air
quality;
• Protect natural ecosystems and habitats, including trees;
• Lead by example in City facilities and operations;
• Collaborate with local and regional public and private partners and
neighborhoods
Key Drivers for Progress
• Council’s adopted Environmental Focus Area Plan and related policies
• Partnerships with business, industry, education
• Collaboration across Key Business Units, numerous other private-public
entities and community organizations
• Leveraging resources to achieve effective outcomes
Land Use and Transportation
• Centers, Corridors and Wedges growth
framework and Urban Street Design
Guidelines aim to ensure capacity,
mobility, and safety.
• LYNX average daily ridership of 15,602
exceeds the original projection of 9,100
daily ridership.
• 100% of rezoning decisions consistent
with adopted area plans.
Protecting Natural Ecosystems
and Habitats
• Charlotte has been named Tree City
USA for 31 consecutive years by the
National Arbor Day Foundation.
• Revised Tree Ordinance requires more
tree preservation on commercial sites.
• Charlotte is replenishing its tree canopy
by planting 2,000 trees throughout the City
this year.
• Environment Committee reviewing
proposed tree investment strategy and tree
canopy goal.
2011 Arbor Day Celebration at Old City Hall.
Waste Reduction
• Single-stream residential recycling has
resulted in 25% increase in materials recycled.
Leading by example…
• City buildings participating in recycling have
doubled.
• 395 tons of cardboard recycled at
Charlotte-Douglas Airport in 2009.
• Over the past two years 28.65 tons of
coffee grounds have been recycled from the
Starbucks at the Airport.
Sustainable City Facilities and Operations
• The Sustainable Facilities Policy incorporates environmentally responsible
elements in design, construction and operation of City facilities.
• Utilities Environmental Services Facility
is a Gold Certified LEED building.
• CMGC has been designated an Energy Star
facility for the past two years.
Solar Energy Pilot Projects
• Solar panels at CDOT Street Maintenance:
• generate electricity used by Duke Energy
• system has potential to produce 18% of energy
needed to power the facility.
CDOT Street Maintenance Facility
• Airport Operations’ solar roof
generates enough electricity
to potentially power 30 – 40%
of the facility.
Airport Operations Building
• Photovoltaic system will be
installed at CMGC Parking
Deck (NC State Energy Grant)
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The City is in the process of developing its first Greenhouse Gas
Emissions Reduction Plan
City Fleet and Purchasing Policies
Green Fleet Policy
• City vehicles operate at standards that protect air quality and conserve fuel.
Green Purchasing Policy
• Key Business Units focus on cost-effective,
environmentally-preferable goods and supplies.
EECBG Progress
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant
Completed Projects:
• Development of Energy Strategy
• City building energy audits
• Hiring of Energy & Sustainability Manager
•
Public education and outreach campaign launched
•
Beal-Wendover Bicycle Connection
EECBG Progress
Pending Completion Spring/Summer 2011
• Neighborhood Energy Challenge
• Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
• Purchase of Nissan Leafs
• Center City On-Street Recycling
• Energy-Efficient Computing
• Residential Energy Efficiency Improvements
• Vehicular Way Finding
• CMGC Energy Efficient Lighting
• CATS I-485 Park and Ride Energy Efficient Lighting
EECBG Progress
Completion Fall 2011/Winter 2012
• Old City Hall Retrofits
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities Retrofits
• Commercial Building Retrofits
• Charlotte Housing Authority Retrofits
Public Education and Outreach
The City’s efforts have been two-fold:
1. General promotion of environmental initiatives and
programs:
• Dedicated web page on charlottenc.gov
• Continue to promote the Pledge
• Queen City Limits where Council discusses issues
• Regular updates on City Source and promotion of
stories in Council Manager Memo
2. Successful launch of Power 2 Charlotte campaign
• Monthly newsletter
• power2charlotte.com
• Community events
• Media coverage
• Project Signage
• Billboard campaign
• Utility bill insert
Other Partnerships
Smart Energy Now (part of Envision Charlotte)
• Program initiated by Center City Partners, Duke Energy and Cisco to reduce
energy use in 65 downtown buildings by 20% in the next five years through a
smart grid.
• CMGC and Old City Hall have been selected for the program.
ECO Partnership
• Partnership with State of North Carolina, City, China and ENN (Chinese
Energy Company).
• City will participate by sharing information from the Neighborhood Energy
Challenge.
Progress for the Future
The City’s progress will continue to focus on:
• Becoming a more sustainable community
• Emphasizing collaboration, partnerships and leveraging of City resources
• Leading by example
• Informing citizens about what they can do and how they can be involved
Next Steps
• Environment Focus Area Plan approval April 11
• Includes new initiative related to growth of Clean Energy industry,
including the alternative energy sector.
• “Charlotte will become a national leader in environmental and energy
sustainability, preserving our natural resources while balancing growth with
sound fiscal policy.”