8. ECCSR 11-17-2010MEMORANDUM
TO: Energy City Commission
FROM: Ross Pomeroy, Environmental Intern
DATE: November 17, 2010
SUBJECT: Business Recycling Event, Project Conserve Update,
Minnesota GreenStep Cities
Planning is ctuxendv underway fox a second Business Recycling Event, tentatively
scheduled fox January 25`", 2011. Surveys from business owners concerning the first event
were all positive and the vast majority indicated an interest in attending another event. From
reading the surveys, it was decided that the next event will feature a panel discussion
comprised of organizations such as l~finnesota Materials Exchange, the Recycling
Association of Minnesota, and IVlinnesota Waste Wise. Business owners will be able to
directly ask questions and make contacts with these organizations in order to take their
businesses to higher levels of consere*ation and efficiency.
Phase II of Project Conserve is moving along smoothly. The application process has been
officially closed with 311 homeowners currently enrolled. At the most recent workshop,
held on October 30`s, November 1", and November 4t', attendees learned about home
heating costs, how to properly winterize their home, and how to maintain healthy indoor air
quality. The nest workshop is slated to be held in spring of next year and will cover water
conservation and reducing solid waste.
Home energe audits fox Project Conserve began on Monday and are slated to continue
through April. The audits axe being carried out by four building inspectors and four
electricians from the Buildings Department and from Elk River litihdes. The auditors are all
certified from the Dunwoody College of Technology.
Elk River has been officially inducted into the Minnesota GreenStep Cities pxogxam from
the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. GreenStep Cities is a challenge, assistance and
recognition program to help cities achieve their sustainability goals through implementation
of 28 best practices. We are currently awaiting further instruction from the MPCA before
we begin inputting our best practice data into the pxogxam website. Once this is complete,
Elk River will be recognized as a Step 3 GreenStep city, currently the top tier of recognition
in the pxogxam.