Title
Authorizing the City of Saint Paul to participate in the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program.
Body
WHEREAS, the impacts of climate change have been observed in Minnesota and have the potential to negatively affect local, regional and state economies; existing infrastructure; natural habitats; ecological communities, including native fish and wildlife populations; drinking water supplies; public health; and recreational opportunities; and
WHEREAS, local governments have the unique opportunity to reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and expenses through building and facilities management; land use and transportation planning; environmental management; and thoughtful economic and community development; and
WHEREAS, efforts to address energy and climate issues provide an opportunity to move toward energy self-reliance and greater community resiliency; provide environmentally healthy and cheaper-to-operate public buildings; encourage new economic development and local jobs; and support local food and renewable energy production; and
WHEREAS, steps taken toward sustainable solutions aim to improve community quality of life, building community capital, and increasing government efficiency, accountability and transparency; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Session Laws 2008, Chapter 356, Section 13 directed the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency ("MPCA") and Office of Energy Security in the Department of Commerce ("Office of Energy Security"), in collaboration with Clean Energy Resource Teams ("CERTs"), to recommend municipal actions and policies that work toward meeting the State's greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals; and
WHEREAS, a broad coalition of public and private stakeholders including the League of Minnesota Cities, the MPCA, Office of Energy Security, and CERTs responded to the 2008 legislation by establishing the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program to provide a series of sustainable development best practices focusing on local government opp...
Click here for full text