Plastic Waste, Part 2

Following up on a suggestion made by former Mayor David Brown last summer, I'm pleased to report that the City of Charlottesville is taking steps as of this week to actively reduce the consumption of bottled water by City employees and by participants in City meetings. Water pitchers are being ordered for all City and school meeting rooms and staff are exploring alternatives to plastic bottles in City vending machines.

Why is this good news for our taxpayers and our environment? See www.thinkoutsidethebottle.org.

Plastic Waste

I've recently been working to reduce my use of plastic shopping bags and viewing this slideshow has motivated me to try even harder. While the City of Charlottesville does not (currently) have the authority to ban plastic bags, we can certainly do a better job of promoting alternatives. Click here to see why:

http://www.poconorecord.com/_flash/soundslides/20080505plasticbags/soundslider.swf (h/t Gary O'Connell)

And in case you missed it when the story first came out in February, check out this very disturbing article from the The Independent about all the plastic garbage that's floating in our oceans (including one "plastic soup" of waste in the Pacific that's twice the size of the continental U.S.):

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/the-worlds-rubbish-dump-a-garbage-tip-that-stretches-from-hawaii-to-japan-778016.html

Somehow, "gross" just doesn't seem strong enough a word.

Taking "Bike-Friendly" Literally

In keeping with our recent designation as a "Bike-Friendly Community," there's an effort underway (thanks to my clever pal Shawn Strubbe and the Alliance for Community Choice in Transportation) to recruit and develop Bike Friends -- er, "Bike Mentors," that is.

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Be a Bike Mentor!

Help New Cyclists Learn To Bike Commute
* Route selection to work, stores or the pub
* Bike and helmet check/fitting
* Escort for first bike commute

Volunteers Needed For
* Escorts
* Education
* Program development

Volunteer meeting: July 22 at 7pm
City Space at the Community Design Center -- 100 5th ST NE above the Downtown Post Office

Alliance for Community Choice in Transportation

Questions? Contact Shawn Strubbe 882-1562, Strubbedo@juno.com
Zachary Shahan 295-6554, info@transportationchoice.org

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Great idea!

Bike-Friendly Cville

It's official. Charlottesville has been declared "Bicycle Friendly" by the League of American Bicyclists -- only the second community in Virginia to be so honored (Arlington being the other). We even have the sign to prove it (see here). Fitting that David Brown received the award on behalf of the City, since he (unlike the current Mayor) actually is a regular bike rider. Practice what you preach and all that.

When you read the fine print you see that we only received a "Bronze" designation this year with regard to our Bicycle-Friendliness (i.e., only a step up from fair-weather friend). Highest is "Platinum" (aka best friends forever). Let's aspire to Platinum next time. Here's how to get there.

"Postcards from Charlottesville," Show #7

In the spirit of Earth Day, local activisits Stratton Salidis and Elena Day join me to talk about ecological health and the kinds of decisions we make as a community to either undermine or support our commitment to environmental sustainability. Two projects in particular -- the proposed expansion of the North Anna nuclear power plant, and the proposed Meadowcreek Parkway -- draw much of my guests' ire and compel them to promote more ecologically sound alternatives.

Click here to see the show:

http://charlottesville.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=95

Peter Kleeman Blows Up Monticello...

...to demonstrate a point about mountaintop removal coal mining.* Click here.

(* I have been assured by Peter than no actual historical landmarks were harmed in the making of his blog post.)

Week 1; or, the Week of Acting Locally

Today wraps up my first week as Charlottesville Mayor -- you can hear the audio account of Monday's Mayoral election here or read the text version here.

It's been a busy week.

Particularly exciting have been all the steps we've taken this week on the environmental front. On Monday, Council gave the green light (pun intended) to the boldest green-building tax incentive program in the state; we adopted a 50% recycling rate goal for the City (up from approx. 38% today); we agreed to launch an ambitious public education/outreach campaign on energy conservation & energy efficiency, including the distribution of thousands of donated CFL bulbs and the raffling off of 20 home energy audits; we decided to explore the idea of leasing City rooftops for third-party renewable energy generation via solar photovoltaic panels; we gave our thumbs up to the latest set of recommendations from the Metropolitan Planning Organization regarding far-reaching expansions in our public transportation system; and we announced that Charlottesville had won a corporate award (and Kristel Riddervold, our Environmental Administrator, had won her own individual award) for our efforts to reduce pollutant run-off into the Chesapeake Bay. On Tuesday I went to Richmond to personally submit our Clean Energy Resolution into the record as the State Corporation Commission accepted public comment on a proposed new coal-fired power plant in Wise County. At a work session on Thursday, Council agreed to move forward on the development of a sustainable stormwater management program for the City that will help us get a much better handle on stormwater runoff, stream protection and water quality issues, and provide substantial incentives for property owners to adopt innovative stormwater management practices like green roofs, permeable paving, swales, rain gardens, rain barrels, etc. We also celebrated the launch of two new green-oriented websites this week (Better World Betty and Charlottesville's "Green City" Page), and I got a personal tour from Roger Voisinet of several new green-built City homes (including 104 Chisholm Place and the ecoMOD3).

Now, I'm not trying to take credit for any of these things (all of them were in the works well before my becoming Mayor), and it's largely happenstance that so many positive and interesting eco-friendly initiatives got started or moved forward during my first week in the Mayor's seat. But it is heartening to know that this Council -- and, more importantly, this community we call home -- is willing (if not eager) to move beyond the green rhetoric and actually do what it takes to make this a truly Green City. (Maiaoming makes a similar point here.) I look forward to seeing us take many more such steps in the months and years to come!

Another Green-Living (Green-Dating?) Website

As promised, introducing...
Cville Veggie Singles
(www.CvilleVeggieSingles.blogspot.com)
This new Web site is a forum for promoting social activities for Charlottesville-area singles of the vegetarian, vegan or veg-friendly persuasion. Come help get things started with a Veggie Singles Happy Hour at Mono Loco (200 W. Water St.) on Thursday, Jan. 24 from 6-8pm. Sounds fun. For more info.: cvilleveggiesingles@hotmail.com

New Green Websites

Tomorrow (Thursday, Jan. 10) from 7-9pm at South Street Brewery is the launch party for two new websites of interest to local greenies (and would-be greenies):

1) Better World Betty -- www.betterworldbetty.com -- a wonderful new on-line guide to green living in the Charlottesville/Albemarle area, created by my good buddy Teri Kent

2) City of Charlottesville's "Green City" Page -- www.charlottesville.org/greencity -- an information-rich new site about the City's extensive efforts to promote environmental sustainability, created by the dynamic duo of Sarah Edwards and Kristel Riddervold

Come by the party and join in the fun. We'd love to have you!

p.s. here's a related teaser -- two other local Web sites currently under development, also to be unveiled soon: a greening your congregation/greening your spirituality guide for people of faith, by the visionary Tricia G. (aka the Zebra lady), and a site to organize social activities for Cville-area singles of the vegetarian/green-living variety (sign me up!)

"Postcards from Charlottesville," Show #3

The third edition of my new TV show, "Postcards from Charlottesville," aired last Friday (Dec. 14) and featured a discussion on clean energy and mountaintop removal coal mining with two Charlottesville residents who are leading the charge on these issues: Hannah Morgan of Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards/Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and Mike McCoy of Appalachian Voices. Click here for an on-line video version of the show:

http://charlottesville.granicus.com/ASX.php?publish_id=71&sn=charlottesville.granicus.com

Clean Energy for Cville & Beyond

At our City Council meeting next Monday, Dec. 17, we'll be considering a resolution that would bolster efforts to promote renewable energy and energy conservation & efficiency in Charlottesville and throughout the Commonwealth. The resolution also calls for a moratorium on the development or expansion of new coal-fired or nuclear facilities in Virginia, given the enormous environmental threats posed by each -- and given the fact that they could be rendered completely unnecessary if we just got a little smarter when it comes to conservation and efficiency. (It doesn't help that Virginia ranks LAST in the country in per capita utility spending on energy efficiency. First place? My mother's home state, Vermont.)

For more information on what you can do to help in the effort to curb "dirty energy" in Virginia, here are two sites to visit (note that the deadline for submitting public comments on the Wise County mountaintop removal coal-fired plant is TODAY):

Wise Energy for Virginia
No New Nukes

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Here is the text of the proposed City Council resolution:

RESOLUTION COMMITTING THE CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE TO THE PURCHASE AND PROMOTION OF CLEAN ENERGY ALTERNATIVES

WHEREAS, the City of Charlottesville has demonstrated its commitment to addressing the critical challenges of climate change and increased dependence on non-renewable, polluting energy sources by, among other actions:

• Implementing an Environmental Management System since 2003 with goals of compliance, pollution prevention, environmental improvement, and sustainability;
• Pursuing and promoting energy conservation and efficiency in City operations, resulting in substantial cost savings to City government and City schools;
• Signing on to the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement in 2006; and,

• Adopting a resolution endorsing the development of renewable energy resources, including wind turbines, in Virginia in 2007; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement specifically commits signatories to:
• reduce global warming pollution;
• increase the use of clean, alternative energy;
• advocate for the development of renewable energy resources;
• make energy efficiency a priority in municipal operations; and,
• “help educate the public, schools, other jurisdictions, professional associations, business and industry about reducing global warming pollution”;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Charlottesville shall:

1. Express to the Virginia Energy Purchasing Governmental Association (VEPGA)/Dominion Virginia Power its interest in purchasing electricity from renewable energy sources generally, and from the Highland New Wind project specifically; and,

2. Explore creation of a municipal aggregation program to demonstrate community demand for renewable energy alternatives; and,

3. Explore creative options for development of local Renewable Energy Generation Projects (defined by Dominion Virginia Power, which seeks to partner in the development of such projects, as “energy projects derived from sunlight, wind, falling water, sustainable biomass, energy from waste, wave motions, tides, and geothermal power”); and,

4. Redouble its efforts to promote energy conservation and energy efficiency within City and School operations; and,

5. Develop and implement a high-profile campaign, similar to the “Fresh Aire” initiative in Arlington, which promotes energy conservation and energy efficiency within the community at large; and,

6. Petition the Commonwealth of Virginia to create a mandatory Renewable Portfolio Standard for public utilities and, further, to place a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants (such as proposed for Wise County) and expansion of existing nuclear power plants (such as proposed for North Anna) until there has first been a significant expansion of investment in energy conservation and energy efficiency efforts and development of renewable energy alternatives. Through these kinds of investments we can obviate (or at least substantially delay) the need to increase our reliance on non-renewable, polluting energy sources.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of December, 2007.

Mountaintop removal coal mining, in all its destructive glory

Climate Action Conference Recap

Today's 2007 Virginia Climate Action Conference was a big success. I think we had as many as 175 people at the event at some point or another, and all corners of the state were represented. Participants appeared to come away feeling renewed and energized in their desire to take action on the climate change issue, which was precisely our hope; one specific campaign that grabbed a lot of people's attention is the recently-launched effort to block a new 585 megawatt coal-fired power plant in Wise, Virginia. I could give a long litany of reasons why this power plant is a bad, bad idea (for one thing, that one plant alone would far more than negate [from a carbon emissions standpoint] all of the tree-planting, CFL-buying, building-retrofitting, hybrid-vehicle-purchasing, etc., that the City of Charlottesville intends to do in the next decade or two), but I'd just be duplicating what you can already read here.

One of the many cool people I got to meet today is Miles Grant, whose eco-themed blog ("The Green Miles") I've long admired. Miles "live-blogged" the conference at Raising Kaine -- see here.

I was pleased and proud that Charlottesville was able to play host to this first-of-its-kind (in Virginia) gathering. Several speakers noted and commended Charlottesville's own efforts to address climate change locally, which was gratifying to hear, but we clearly all have a long way to go if we're going to make much of an impact on the overall problem of global warming and climate change.

10/28/07 UPDATE: Seth Rosen has a good write-up on the conference in today's Daily Progress.

Local Climate Action Events this Saturday

It's not too late to register for the 2007 Virginia Climate Action Conference this Saturday at UVa -- it's shaping up to be a tremendous event. Seth Rosen did a nice write-up on the conference in Sunday's Daily Progress and City Council last week agreed to kick in $2,000 toward scholarships so students & others of limited means can attend for free. If you want one, contact VaClimateAction@hotmail.com.

The conference will wrap up with an energetic Step It Up! rally at the UVa Amphitheater from 4:45-5:45pm. Music, speakers, info., refreshments -- it'll be quite festive and family-friendly. Even if you can't make it to the conference, feel free to come just for the rally. Paul Ferguson (Chair of the Arlington County Board of Supervisors), Mike Tidwell (founder of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network), and Kathy Selvage (co-founder of Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards) are just three of the conference presenters who will also be speaking at the rally. You won't want to miss it!

Green Awards

Congratulations to Kristel Riddervold, Ernie Reed, RiverBluff and AltEnergy for receiving the 2007 Commonwealth Environmental Leadership Awards yesterday from the Charlottesville Waldorf Foundation. Well-deserved in each case!

Solar-Powered Cville?

I've long felt that if we could figure out a way to generate solar power on a marketable scale here in Cville, there are enough residents and business owners (not to mention the City itself, hopefully) who would opt to pay a little more for clean, renewable, locally-produced energy that solar could become a viable source of electricity. With the help of a local solar-energy entrepreneur, new renewable energy targets adopted by this year's General Assembly, and existing federal tax credits for solar energy production, it seems like we may finally be heading in that direction. Stay tuned...

Toward a More CFL-Friendly Cville

Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs) are 4 times more efficient and last up to 10 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, resulting in a $45 average savings to the consumer (i.e., you and me) over the life of each bulb. Furthermore, acccording to eartheasy.com, "Replacing a single incandescent bulb with a CFL will keep a half-ton of CO2 out of the atmosphere over the life of the bulb. If everyone in the U.S. used energy-efficient lighting, we could retire 90 average size power plants." That's powerful.

The one downside to CFLs is that they typically contain tiny amounts of mercury. When you consider the amount of mercury that a power plant emits to produce the electricity needed to run a normal incandescent bulb, CFLs still present a less-toxic choice. However, CFLs contain enough mercury that consumers are often urged to dispose of them at community hazardous waste collection sites (which in Charlottesville means a trip to the Ivy landfill) rather than including them with their household trash.

Who is realistically going to drive all the way out to Ivy to dispose of some lightbulbs though? Most of us will just throw our used-up CFLs in the trash, despite the toxic mercury that may be released into the environment as a result.

Good news: Now we have a better choice! Starting Oct. 22, the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority will begin collecting used CFLs at the McIntire Road Recycling Center for proper breakdown and recycling of the bulbs' contents. A special drop-off container will be available for this purpose, and consumers are asked to place the CFLs gently into the container to avoid bulb breakage.

Charlottesville is one of the first communities in Virginia to offer this service and I commend RSWA for taking this small but significant step. Special thanks to John Cruickshank and the Piedmont Group of the Sierra Club for pushing this idea along and thereby making it easier for all of us to do the right thing on behalf of our environment -- and our pocketbooks.

Congratulations, Mr. Gore!

An apt and awesome honor.

Want to get involved in this Nobel Peace Prize-worthy cause? See post below. (Note that Stephen Smith, Gore protege and founder of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, is the keynote speaker at this event.)

In Which Cville Becomes the Epicenter of Climate Change Activism in Virginia (At Least for One Day)

I am excited to announce that on Saturday, October 27, Charlottesville will be playing host to the largest climate action event of its kind in Virginia history. On that day, hundreds of grassroots activists, concerned citizens and local officials from across the state will be converging on our fair city for the 2007 Virginia Climate Action Conference, which will take place from 8:30am-4:45pm at Clark Hall at UVa.

The organizers of this event (full disclosure: I am one of them) have recruited a stellar cast of speakers and presenters and we hope that Charlottesville sets a good example by turning out a good number of attendees. Registration (before Oct. 20) is only $30, which includes breakfast and lunch, so please do come. To register, or for more info., go to www.VaClimateAction.org. Hope to see you there!

Curbside Composting in Cville?

San Francisco has set an ambitious goal for itself: divert 75% of its waste materials from the landfill by 2010. And the city is well on its way to achieving that goal; a few months ago, Mayor Gavin Newsom announced that San Francisco had already reached a 69% recycling rate for 2007. Since over 35% of San Francisco's wastestream was organic material (mostly plant trimmings and food scraps), the city launched a curbside composting program a few years ago, which has been a huge boost to its waste-diversion efforts. "If it came from something that was once alive, you can compost it," says the city's website. Each day, 300 tons of food scraps, leaves, grass, etc. are taken to a facility where they are turned into nutrient-rich organic compost.

Perhaps Charlottesville should consider starting its own curbside composting program. Right now our City's recycling rate is 38%, and our Citizens Committee on Environmental Sustainability is soon going to urge Council to set a 50% goal for 2008. That's ambitious, but I think it's good to aim high. Removing recyclable/reusable materials from the wastestream is not only good for our environment, it also saves us money (one of the many ways in which being green can save you green). We've been making great strides lately with our City's recycling efforts and I would like to think that between our expanded curbside recycling program, our new system-wide recycling initiative in the City schools, and a new curbside composting program, we could easily achieve that 50% goal in a fairly short time period. And who knows, maybe someday we could find ourselves aiming even higher -- San Francisco, here we come!

Cville Gets More National Props

This month's issue of Public Management magazine (trade journal of city-manager types -- c'mon, we know you read it from cover to cover each month) features a cover story on "Using Energy Efficiency to Create a More Sustainable Bottom Line", which highlights Charlottesville's efforts to make our municipal buildings, schools and local govt. operations more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly. It's pretty impressive to read what Cville has been doing over the past few years in this regard, and much of the credit goes to City Manager Gary O'Connell (recently named to the Leadership Advisory Committee on Sustainability for the International City/County Management Association) and our tireless and brilliant Environmental Administrator, Kristel Riddervold. Congratulations to both on the well-deserved recognition.