Charlottesville, VA: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Baseline
The City of Charlottesville has compiled a greenhouse gas emissions inventory using software tools provided through the ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability organization. This “baseline” is an inventory of the activities within our community that contribute to our greenhouse gas emissions, and emissions of criteria air pollutants. Establishing a baseline enables us to set targets for reducing our emissions and our energy costs in the future. In the year of 2000, Charlottesville was responsible for nearly 900,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions. That was enough for about 5 full hot air balloons per person!
The next step is the development of the Charlottesville Climate and Sustainability Action Plan. For more details, please contact greencity@charlottesville.org
Link:
http://www.charlottesville.org/Index.aspx?page=2098
admin Sustainability
In 2003, the Town of Blacksburg became one of the first municipalities in the Commonwealth of Virginia to implement an Energy Performance Contract to install energy efficient equipment and systems in Town facilities. This effort included a comprehensive retrofit of all interior lighting systems, the installation of energy efficient HVAC systems and energy management systems, the installation of programmable thermostats, and the installation of LED lights in all traffic signals town wide.
In 2004, the Town of Blacksburg joined the U.S. Green Building Council to participate in their Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) program and enhance the Town’s knowledge of green buildings. In 2005, the Director of Public Works became a LEED Accredited Professional. In 2006, the Parks & Recreation Department initiated a conceptual design for a proposed Nature Center as a potentially LEED Platinum rated building. In 2007, the Blacksburg Town Council approved a plan to renovate the Blacksburg Motor Company building in accordance with LEED green building rating system standards and this project is anticipated to be completed in early 2009.
In late 2006, the Town of Blacksburg signed the U.S. Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement to commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the community. In 2007, energy use data was collected as part of a comprehensive community greenhouse gas inventory in support of a newly formed Mayor’s Task Force on Climate Protection & Sustainability. In 2008, workgroups will be focusing on identifying measures to further reduce energy use in Town government operations and within the community.
For more information, call the Town of Blacksburg’s Environmental Manager at (540) 558-0786 or email sgarrison@blacksburg.gov.
Link:
http://www.blacksburg.gov/Index.aspx?page=400
admin LEED, Sustainability
According to the U.S. Green Building Council, energy use associated with the design, construction and occupancy of buildings accounts for over 62% of total U.S. energy consumption and 30% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The Town of Blacksburg is committed to reducing energy use in its facilities and assisting the community with implementing energy conservation measures in their homes and in the work place.
In 2003, the Town of Blacksburg became one of the first municipalities in the Commonwealth of Virginia to implement an Energy Performance Contract to install energy efficient equipment and systems in Town facilities. This effort included a comprehensive retrofit of all interior lighting systems, the installation of energy efficient HVAC systems and energy management systems, the installation of programmable thermostats, and the installation of LED lights in all traffic signals town wide.
In 2004, the Town of Blacksburg joined the U.S. Green Building Council to participate in their Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) program and enhance the Town’s knowledge of green buildings. In 2005, the Director of Public Works became a LEED Accredited Professional. In 2006, the Parks & Recreation Department initiated a conceptual design for a proposed Nature Center as a potentially LEED Platinum rated building. In 2007, the Blacksburg Town Council approved a plan to renovate the Blacksburg Motor Company building in accordance with LEED green building rating system standards and this project is anticipated to be completed in early 2009.
In late 2006, the Town of Blacksburg signed the U.S. Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement to commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the community. In 2007, energy use data was collected as part of a comprehensive community greenhouse gas inventory in support of a newly formed Mayor’s Task Force on Climate Protection & Sustainability. In 2008, workgroups will be focusing on identifying measures to further reduce energy use in Town government operations and within the community.
For more information, call the Town of Blacksburg’s Environmental Manager at (540) 558-0786 or email sgarrison@blacksburg.gov.
http://www.blacksburg.gov/Index.aspx?page=400
admin LEED
What is the Purpose of the EECBG Program?
To assist eligible entities in implementing energy efficiency
and conservation strategies—
- to reduce fossil fuel emissions created as a result of
activities within the jurisdictions of eligible entities;
- to reduce total energy use; and
- to improve energy efficiency in the transportation,
building, and other appropriate sector
www.usmayors.org/climateprotection/documents/eecbghandout.pdf
admin EECBG Energy Strategies, Sustainability