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Siemens Sustainable Community Awards Washington, DC (May 1, 2009)- Siemens Corporation has announced the 2009 Sustainable Community Awards winners. The award recognizes public-private coalitions for taking on the 21st challenge of sustainable development. A sustainable community is one that has committed to setting and achieving complementary economic, environmental, and social goals that will help build long-term competitiveness and success. Category: Large Community In October 2007, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper announced the city's first Climate Action Plan and challenged the community to reduce per capita greenhouse gas emissions to 10% below 1990 levels by 2012. A key component of the Climate Action Plan is a residential climate challenge that leverages collaborative partners to increase energy efficiency. The challenge is deployed through a grassroots model of door-to-door canvassing. The Collaborative launched a pilot in October 2008 in the Sunnyside neighborhood. Sunnyside was selected based on its high rate of energy use, coupled with diverse demographics that include a lower income population, some gentrification, and seniors. In addition, only 31 percent of eligible households in Sunnyside participate in the city's free curbside recycling program. The neighborhood outreach model has been modified for implementation in over 40 middle-income neighborhoods by approaching active neighborhood associations to build community teams. Two pilot neighborhoods are planned for spring 2009 utilizing these "Green Teams" as canvassers to continue the grassroots networking that has been successful in Sunnyside. Each home received a free CFL porch bulb replacement, free home recycling registration, junk mail reduction forms, a free front yard tree, plus information about water use, household hazardous waste disposal, and composting. Low Income Energy Efficiency Program applications were offered to those who qualify. Every home was also offered a free energy audit, regardless of income. To income-qualifying homes, funding was made available to make weatherization repairs or provide free appliance replacements. Non-qualifying homes were provided significant rebates for insulation, low-flow toilets, Energy Star washing machines, rain sensors, and informative toolkits to help them offset the cost of suggested improvements. Among income-qualifying homes, the annual savings per household from the energy efficiency measure implemented during the home audit will result in an annual carbon emission reduction of 2,595 pounds. Installation of weatherization upgrades identified during the energy audit will provide each household a carbon emission reduction of 9,650 pounds. The initiative gives residents the ability to afford to adequately heat their home and improve the quality of life for their families. There is a direct relationship between people being able to afford their utilities bills (which are reduced through weatherization) and averting delinquent bills and/or foreclosure. The collaborative consists of the following organizations: Category: Midsize Community The city of Anaheim seeks to mitigate the environmental impacts of new development on air, water, and solid waste pollution by partnering with residents, businesses, and builders. Anaheim's Green Connection is designed to benefit the community and citizens in a variety of ways and enhance the protection of the environment. Through the TreePower program, 40,000 shade trees have been planted, saving 7.7 million kWh of electricity at maturity and eliminating over 13 million pounds of CO2 over the past 10 years. Related Resources: |
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