Jay Fisette Member, Virginia Municipal League Vice-Chair, Arlington County Board

Why Should We Care? Climate Change “The environmental issue of this and the next generation.“ – Gov. Tim Kaine Energy Security = National Security Community Sustainability Cost Savings

What is Climate Change? Source: Carbon Mitigation Initiative:

Greenhouse Effect Carbon Cycle Disturbances CO 2 CH 4 N2ON2O Land Use Changes Fossil Fuel Burning Average Temperature Rise Disasters Deforestation Urbanization Transport Housing Industry Agriculture Increase in Impermeable Surfaces Ice Cap Melting Abrupt Climate Changes Ocean Circulation Upheaval Changes in Precipitation Economic Losses Diseases Spread Casualties Famines Increase in Sea Level Clouds Human Activities Climate Change Process Major Threats Main Climate Impacts Floods Heat Waves Droughts Source: Carbon Mitigation Initiative:

Global Average Temperature Source: Steven Chu – U.S. DOE (March 2009)

Virginia: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections Source: DEQ Presentation to Governor’s Commission on Climate Change; March 2008

World Fossil Fuel Usage Source: Carbon Mitigation Initiative: (2005)

World Oil Consumption Source: Energy Information Administration, US DOE April 2008

Trends: US Oil Production, Imports, & Consumption Source: Energy in the United States: , USDOE

Oil Dependence: U.S. Imports by Country Source: Energy Information Administration, US DOE April 2008

Wikipedia on Sustainability: “A characteristic of a process or state that can be maintained at a certain level indefinitely.” Challenges: Rising energy costs of facilities Rising gas costs for fleet vehicles Congestion, sprawl development, pedestrian safety Waste management, storm water management mandates Capacity and aging of waste water treatment plants Loss of tree canopy Inability to attract/retain quality employees Short-term Cost Savings Longer term Cost Avoidance and Protecting the Quality of Life Sustainability of Our Communities

Local Governments Respond NLC, NACO, ICLEI VML’s Go Green Virginia Initiative Challenge Forums Website/Resources Model for Other States North Carolina & Michigan

Green Government Challenge 11 Categories: Government Policy Adoption Energy Efficiency Green Buildings Waste Management Vehicles Land Use/Transportation Water/Air Quality Employee Incentives Education/Community Participation Schools Innovation

Green Government Challenge A Friendly Competition Easy Registration: Extensive Background on Website - fuller description - examples/links - helpful resources Submit the Challenge online by Sept. 30 Receive certificate and/or cash award at annual VML conference in October

Town of Dayton Wins 2nd Place Population: 1,400 “The Town of Dayton is grateful to VML for sponsoring this contest. It motivated our town to implement new policies and improvements to reduce carbon emissions and protect our natural resources. While investing in energy efficiency measures, we not only help to save the earth’s environment—we also save financially in operating costs. The more we all contribute now, the greater the rewards for generations to come.” - Mayor Judy Way

Green Government Challenge 2008 Winners Population over 90,000 1st Place (tie) -- Loudoun County 1st Place (tie) -- City of Roanoke 3rd Place -- City of Alexandria Population 15, ,000 1st Place -- City of Charlottesville 2nd Place -- Town of Blacksburg 3rd Place -- James City County Population under 15,000 1st Place -- City of Williamsburg 2nd Place -- Town of Dayton 3rd Place (tie) -- City of Falls Church 3rd Place (tie) -- Town of Abingdon Loudoun County Charlottesville Abingdon

$60.7M to Virginia Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Formula City & County Program ($ 44,574,600 – VA Cities & Counties )  Every city and town w/ a population of 35,000+  Every county with a population of 200,000+  In Virginia: 28 cities/counties State Energy Office ($16,145,300 – VA DMME )  State passes through at least 60% to remaining cities and counties ($9.7M)  State decides how to award these funds Cities/Towns: Alexandria, Arlington, Blacksburg, Charlottesville, Chesapeake, Danville, Hampton, Harrisonburg, Leesburg, Lynchburg, Manassas, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Richmond, Roanoke, Suffolk, Virginia Beach Counties: Albemarle, Chesterfield, Fairfax, Hanover, Henrico, Loudoun, Prince William, Roanoke, Spotsylvania, and Stafford

Activities Eligible = Green Government for EECBG $$ Challenge Actions Action #2: Create an Energy Improvement Plan Action #4: Conduct an energy audit of 2+ government facilities Action #5: Purchase electric power from renewable sources or install renewable energy technology (solar, wind, or geothermal) for use in government facilities. Action #13: Establish a community-wide recycling collection program Action #14: Adopt a “Green Fleet” policy Action #19: Develop/implement a plan for tree preservation & planting Action #22: Provide employee benefits for ride sharing, walking, biking, or taking transit to work EECBG Eligible Activities

Something to Think About “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” ~ Native American Proverb

Thanks! Let’s Get Going… For more information contact: Go Green Virginia c/o Virginia Municipal League P.O. Box 12164, Richmond, VA Telephone: (804)