City Designated SolSmart Silver for Advancing Solar Energy Growth

The City of Richmond received a silver designation from the national SolSmart program for taking bold steps to remove obstacles to solar development and encourage solar energy growth during the 2017 National League of Cities (NLC) City Summit which took place Nov. 15-18 in Charlotte, NC.

SolSmart is led by the Solar Foundation and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). It is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative. More than 100 cities, counties and small towns have achieved SolSmart designation since the program launched in 2016.

To receive designation, cities and counties make changes to their local permitting processes, as well as planning and zoning procedures, to reduce the time and money it takes to install a solar energy system. SolSmart designees may also develop innovations in areas such as market development and finance.

“SolSmart designation is part of our RVAgreen 2050 initiative to reduce community greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050,” said Mayor Levar M. Stoney. “As a SolSmart Silver designee, we’re helping our residents and businesses obtain affordable, reliable and clean electricity through solar. We’ve also signaled our community is open for solar companies to do business here, which drives economic development and creates local jobs.”

SolSmart uses objective criteria to award communities points based on the actions they take to reduce barriers to solar energy development. Communities that take sufficient action are designated either gold, silver or bronze.

As part of the SolSmart program, a team of national experts provides no-cost technical assistance to help communities achieve designation. All cities and counties are eligible to join the SolSmart program and receive this technical assistance. Interested communities can learn more at SolSmart.org.

For more information contact Alicia.Zatcoff@richmondgov.com or call 646-3055.

RVA Bike Share Ready to Roll

Mayor Levar M. Stoney launched the RVA Bike Share program Aug. 29 at Kanawha Plaza and lead cyclists on a 2-mile ride from across the Manchester Bridge to the T.Tyler Potterfield Bridge, ending at Brown's Island.

“Bike sharing programs are a community transportation service and desired amenity provided by forward thinking and environmentally conscious cities,” said Mayor Stoney. “I am proud Richmond is now among those leading in this regard.”

Richmond has teamed up with Canada-based Bewegen Technologies Inc., an industry bike share leader, to supply the bicycles and docking stations.The equipment will be maintained by Corps Logistics, a Baltimore-based firm owned and operated by military veterans.

The initial phase includes 220 8-speed bikes and 20 docking stations located throughout the city. A second phase is expected to be implemented in the coming months, doubling the fleet and including electric assist PedElec bikes, making it easier to ride uphill. These hi-tech bicycles will be equipped with a color screen, live GPS and can be unlocked through a mobile app.

RVA Bike Share is a public-private initiative, and Mayor Stoney has written a letter to encourage Richmond’s corporate and business leaders to engage in sponsorship opportunities necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the program. Click here to read the mayor’s letter.

Plans for RVA Bike Share have been in the works since 2012. The city was awarded a $1,064,000 federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant in 2014 to start the program, supplementing $280,000 in capital improvement funds made available by the city.

One-way trip and daily passes will be available as well as weekly, monthly and yearly memberships. For more information about RVA Bike Share, pricing, membership and sponsorship opportunities, please visit rvabikes.com.

Your Better Bathroom Is Closer Than You Think

Bathrooms are by far the largest water users in the home, accounting for 60 percent of all indoor water use. Whether you are making simple fixes with your fixtures or tackling a bigger remodeling project, a better bathroom that saves water in style is closer than you think!

There are more than 24,000 WaterSense labeled models of bathroom fixtures available in a wide variety of styles, colors, and prices to help you create your dream bathroom that also saves water, energy, and money. These fixtures include tank-type toilets, showerheads, sink faucets, faucet accessories, and even flushing urinals for residential bathrooms. A bathroom remodel that replaces older, inefficient bathroom fixtures with WaterSense labeled models provides water savings and satisfaction, since WaterSense labeled products are independently certified to use at least 20 percent less water and perform as well as or better than standard models.

Not ready for a full remodel? Dip a foot in the water with these simple “bath hacks” that result in serious savings:

• Flip that flapper. Most people don’t realize that the rubber flapper in their toilet tank wears out over time and can cause water to be wasted down the drain. Replace that old flapper for a few dollars and put an end to silent toilet leaks.
• Put a little air in your flow. WaterSense labeled faucet aerators reduce water use in your bathroom sink by 30 percent without a noticeable difference in flow. If your sink already has an aerator, it might be time to change it out for a new, labeled model.
• Swap out a showerhead. WaterSense labeled showerheads are not only independently certified for spray force and flow, they save water and energy used to heat the water. You’ll clean up every time you wash up!

Learn more to get your better bathroom. 

Climate Alliance States Have Significant Leverage

The U.S. Climate Alliance is a group of more than a dozen states set on upholding the Paris climate accord goals despite President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the agreement in early June.

Even with the United States officially out of the Paris accord, some are optimistic that the U.S. can still meet the Paris targets, even without the support of Washington.

For the U.S., that means reducing emissions by 26 percent by 2025, based on 2005 levels. But meeting the Paris targets will likely also mean higher energy costs and tougher regulations.

“Even before the announcement about the Paris Agreement, it was going to be very very difficult,” said Robert Stavins, director of the Harvard Project on Climate Agreements.

Collectively, Stavins said, the climate alliance states — including New York, Massachusetts and Minnesota — represent about one-third of U.S. gross domestic product, which gives the alliance some significant leverage.

“The most important thing that these states can do is to link their policies together,” Stavins said. “That will bring down the cost for all of them.”

“The 14 or 12 states that are part of the coalition represent a small and a declining share of total U.S. emissions, because these are the states that have been out ahead already,” Larsen noted.

In addition to the states, over 300 cities are also pledging to help, many of which already have projects underway, such as Richmond, Virginia’s, new $49 million bus rapid transit line, scheduled to open later this fall.

“Just like getting on to a metro train, it's the same thing as that. The signals will all be timed to favor the bus, so the bus is not waiting with traffic like the cars are,” said Alicia Zatcoff, Richmond’s sustainability director.

Developing public transit will help take cars off the road, but without support from Washington, can states still pull the rest of the country along to reach the Paris targets?

“From my vantage point, I think the answer is yes,” Zatcoff said. “We’ve already reduced our emissions 15 percent, and we’re really just getting started.”

Full story here. https://www.marketplace.org/2017/07/18/sustainability/climate-alliance-states-have-significant-leverage

Six Richmond Groups Win Keep Virginia Beautiful Awards

Keep Virginia Beautiful awards grants of $500 to $1,000 for projects in four categories each year: Community Beautification and Greening, Litter Prevention, Recycling, and Cigarette Litter Prevention. In addition, this year there were five bonus grants of $2,000.

A panel of experts review the applications in May and announced the 30 Grants in 30 Days recipients during the month of June. This year's local winners were:

Keep Hopewell Beautiful, Hopewell for Beautification
Richmond Guardian Angels, Richmond for Beautification
Robious Elementary PTA, Midlothian for Recycling
Linwood Holton Elementary PTA, Richmond for Recycling
Richmond Clean City Commission, Richmond for Litter
Friends of Pocahontas State Park, Chesterfield for Beautification
Virginia Oyster Shell Recycling Program, Richmond for Recycling
Renew Richmond, Richmond for Beautification
Groundwork RVA, Richmond for Litter

How are Richmond's climate resiliency efforts going?

How is Richmond doing with sustainability?

http://www.smv.org/blog/post/question-your-world-rva-sustainability

Mayors Uphold Climate Goals of Paris Agreement

In the week since the President pulled the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, 279 Climate Mayors — a peer-to-peer network founded in 2014 — have pledged to adopt, honor, and uphold the Paris Agreement goals in their cities. Mayor Levar Stoney of Richmond, Virginia is part of this group.

When the President announced the withdrawal on June 1, 61 Climate Mayors spoke up together in support of the agreement. One week later, the number of Climate Mayors more than quadrupled in size, representing nearly one in five Americans.

The Climate Mayors responded forcefully to the Administration’s decision to leave the Paris Agreement last week, each making a strong commitment to uphold its standards in their own cities.

The Climate Mayors now include nine of the 10 largest cities in America — New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, Dallas, and San Jose — along with hundreds of additional cities large and small, from Boston to Knoxville to the City of Miami, in both red and blue states. In all, the 279 Climate Mayors now represent 59 million Americans from 42 states.

You can see the text, map of and full list of signatories to the Climate Mayors commitment to adopt the Paris Agreement goals. To learn more about Climate Mayors, visit www.climate-mayors.org.You can also engage with Climate Mayors on Facebook, Twitter and Medium.

Water Fill Station Rentals Help the Environment

DPU has water fill stations for rent for various community events in the city of Richmond. These stations can supply the City's award-winning drinking water to your event attendees.

The free water supplied through the water fill stations is a great way to add value to your event. The stations have both drinking and spigot taps, suitable for a quick thirst quencher or to refill a water bottle. There's even a bottom spigot to collect water for dogs.

The stations are built of powder-coated steel and heavy duty plastic to withstand any weather, and nothing spills to create mud around the station. The molded splash pan catches the extra water and the drain hose moves it away from the fountain.

Water stations minimize waste and reduce clean-up by encouraging people to reuse their plastic water bottles. Use the stations to reduce your event's environmental footprint and promote sustainable practices.

The stations have been featured at the UCI Bike Race, Carytown Watermelon Festival, Bon Secours Washington Football Training Camp, and come with 10-foot flags so they can be easily located.

The requirements for a station are:

• Event must be in the city of Richmond
• Event must be family-friendly and open to the public
• Event must occur during daylight hours
• Desired station location must be within one foot of a fire hydrant, the water source for the unit
• Desired station location must have adequate clearance for a service truck to deliver and remove it
• The event promoter must have a $1 million general liability insurance policy that will cover the cost of repair and/or replacement of the station if they are damaged or destroyed during the event
• Requests must be received at least three weeks in advance of the event

For more information or to submit a rental request, call 646-5200 or contact the Events Office, 646-0524.

Mayors National Climate Action Agenda

A grand total of 1,219 governors, mayors, businesses, investors, and colleges and universities from across the U.S. or with significant operations in the U.S., representing the broadest cross section of the American economy yet assembled in pursuit of climate action, recently declared their intent to continue to ensure the U.S. remains a global leader in reducing carbon emissions. To view the full statement, quotes and list of signatories, visit: www.WeAreStillIn.com

We, the undersigned mayors, governors, college and university leaders, businesses, and investors are joining forces for the first time to declare that we will continue to support climate action to meet the Paris Agreement.

In December 2015 in Paris, world leaders signed the first global commitment to fight climate change. The landmark agreement succeeded where past attempts failed because it allowed each country to set its own emission reduction targets and adopt its own strategies for reaching them. In addition, nations - inspired by the actions of local and regional governments, along with businesses - came to recognize that fighting climate change brings significant economic and public health benefits.

The Trump administration’s announcement undermines a key pillar in the fight against climate change and damages the world’s ability to avoid the most dangerous and costly effects of climate change. Importantly, it is also out of step with what is happening in the United States.

In the U.S., it is local and state governments, along with businesses, that are primarily responsible for the dramatic decrease in greenhouse gas emissions in recent years. Actions by each group will multiply and accelerate in the years ahead, no matter what policies Washington may adopt.

In the absence of leadership from Washington, states, cities, colleges and universities, businesses and investors, representing a sizeable percentage of the U.S. economy will pursue ambitious climate goals, working together to take forceful action and to ensure that the U.S. remains a global leader in reducing emissions.

It is imperative that the world know that in the U.S., the actors that will provide the leadership necessary to meet our Paris commitment are found in city halls, state capitals, colleges and universities, investors and businesses. Together, we will remain actively engaged with the international community as part of the global effort to hold warming to well below 2°C and to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy that will benefit our security, prosperity, and health.

To view the full statement, quotes and list of signatories, visit: www.WeAreStillIn.com

Mayor Supports Paris Climate Agreement

Mayor Levar Stoney tweeted his support for the Paris Climate Agreement on June 2, saying he was proud to stand with more than 80 climate mayors to adopt the goals of the Paris agreement. The City of Richmond is already leading the way with RVAgreen 2050.

This project is a comprehensive undertaking to develop a community energy plan, a deep greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan, and a climate action plan. These components align with the collective goal of reducing city government and community greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050 in order to create a healthier, more vibrant, economically competitive and resilient community.

This summer, the Mayor will host a summit of community leaders to begin planning the year-long process to deliver a realistic yet challenging plan. Indicators have been positive so far. Recycling rates are up, community energy use is down, and renewable energy capacity has increased more than 44,000 percent since 2008. City government emissions are down 11 percent. 

The Sustainability department has improved energy efficiency and reduced power use in city buildings, including new HVAC systems, automated controls, energy-efficient lighting, and power and water use tracking software, resulting in $3.8 million in savings.

Congratulations to the 2017 Storm Drain Winners

As part of the RVA H20 initiative, four local artists have been selected to paint their designs onto storm drains along West Grace and Harrison streets. The winners are part of the 2nd Annual Storm Drain Art Project. The first contest painted storm drains near Tredegar Ironworks.

Donna Baily and Jennifer Haebel painted their designs in late May. Alison Tinker and Douglas Fuchs painted theirs the weekend of June 3-4.

To see the winning designs, go to Richmond Magazine.

Richmond Improves Its Efficiency Rankings by Eight Spots

Washington, DC—As the federal government weighs budget cuts to energy efficiency programs, cities are stepping up efforts to reduce energy waste. More mayors and local lawmakers in America’s largest cities are turning to energy efficiency to reduce energy costs for consumers and businesses, strengthen the resilience of their communities, and reduce pollution, according to the third edition of the City Energy Efficiency Scorecard, released May 11, 2017 by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

Richmond improved its ranking by 8 spots to be No. 28 on the list.

“Across the nation, cities are taking steps to save energy, and they are creating more economically vibrant and resilient communities in the process,” said ACEEE senior researcher David Ribeiro, the lead report author. “More than half, 32, of the 51 cities improved their scores from 2015 to 2017, with several making substantial point increases. More cities are requiring building owners to benchmark and report buildings' energy use, updating building energy codes, and setting community-wide goals to save energy and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. We also see a new set of cities emerging as leaders for energy efficiency, knocking on the door of the top 10.”

Mayor Kicks Off Earth Week with New Sustainability Plan for 2050

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, along with Alicia Zatcoff, the City’s sustainability manager, announced a new sustainability planning effort for the City of Richmond called RVAgreen 2050. 

This project is a comprehensive undertaking to develop a community energy plan, a deep greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan, and a climate action plan. These components align with the collective goal of reducing city government and community greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050 in order to create a healthier, more vibrant, economically competitive and resilient community.

This summer, the Mayor will host a summit of community leaders to begin planning the year-long process to deliver a realistic yet challenging plan. Indicators have been positive so far. Recycling rates are up, community energy use is down, and renewable energy capacity has increased more than 44,000 percent since 2008. City government emissions are down 11 percent. 

The Sustainability department has improved energy efficiency and reduced power use in city buildings, including new HVAC systems, automated controls, energy-efficient lighting, and power and water use tracking software, resulting in $3.8 million in savings.

VCU Study on Economic Impact of the James River Park System

Two professors from VCU completed an economic impact study of the James River Park System (JRPS) that details its positive impact for the river city. Funded by the Friends of the James River Park System, the study focuses on two factors -- property values and tourism -- and reveals that, among other things, every dollar in the park budget returns over $60 in visitor spending, and that the JRPS generates $33.5 million per year in tourism.

The full report is here.

Richmond is Finalist for Culture of Health Prize

Richmond has been chosen as a finalist for the fifth annual Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Culture of Health Prize. As a finalist, Richmond is one step closer to the national prize which honors communities that understand health is a shared value and everyone has a role to play in driving change.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is the nation's largest philanthropy dedicated solely to health. Since 1972, it has supported research and programs targeting pressing health issues from substance abuse to improving access to healthcare. Johnson was a member of the Johnson & Johnson family business and gave his New Jersey employees hardship bonuses during the Great Depression of the 1930s. In 1936, he set up a foundation with company stock to help the indigent.

Selected from more than 200 communities across the country, Richmond joins 10 other finalists. Winners will be announced this fall.

“Building a culture of health in Richmond is not just about physical health, “said Richmond City Health District Director Dr. Danny Avula. “It’s about safer, greener neighborhoods, more reliable transportation, cradle to career social and educational supports, and building hope and agency in communities with high rates of poverty. Richmond has been working hard to ensure fairer access to resources for all residents and to become a healthier, more united city, and we are so pleased to advance as a RWJF Culture of Health Prize finalist community.”

The prize is guided by the principle that every community has the potential to improve and be a healthier place to live and thrive.To earn finalist status, Richmond had to demonstrate how it excelled in the six Prize criteria:

·         Defining health in the broadest possible terms.

·         Committing to sustainable systems changes and policy-oriented long-term solutions.

·         Cultivating a shared and deeply-held belief in the importance of equal opportunity for health.

·         Harnessing the collective power of leaders, partners, and community members.

·         Securing and making the most of available resources.

·         Measuring and sharing progress and results.

          

If selected as a winner, Richmond will be given a $25,000 cash prize and opportunities to share their story and lessons learned.

To learn about the work of the 27 previous Prize winners, visit rwjf.org/prize.

City Wins Virginia Green Travel Leader Award

The City of Richmond has won a Virginia Green Travel Leader Award, in the category of Most Innovative and Impactful Green Project, for the initiatives put into place by the RVA Green Team.

RVA Green Team is a partnership of the City of Richmond Sustainability Office, HandsOn Greater Richmond and the Virginia Green Travel Alliance to recruit, train and deploy volunteers to help special events in the city become more sustainable by reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill and enhancing the overall sustainability of events.

Due to their efforts, the RVA Green Team helped reduce the environmental footprint in the City of Richmond by decreasing the amount of waste sent to landfills. From January through October of 2016, 42,424 pounds of waste were diverted from landfills, which includes a 59 percent recycle rate over 14 events held during that time.

The RVA Green Team achieved these results by increasing the amount of recycling and composting at events throughout the City of Richmond. RVA Green Team volunteers helped attendees sort and divert their waste into the right containers.

“Congratulations to the RVA Green Team, and thank you to the many volunteers whose hard work helps improve the quality of life for our residents, and to create a healthy environment for everyone who lives, works, and plays in the City of Richmond,” said Mayor Levar M. Stoney.

On February 17, 2017, the Virginia Green program will recognize outstanding Virginia tourism businesses from across the Commonwealth for their voluntary efforts to reduce the environmental impacts of their operations.

The awards will be presented during the Virginia Green Travel Awards Luncheon. which will be held from Noon until 1:15 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. Virginia’s First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe will be attending the luncheon and presenting the awards.

Get Solar at a Low-Rate Loan

Sigora Solar, a Waynesboro-based solar energy equipment supplier, is working with Virginia Community Capital to provide solar panels to small businesses.

The program offers an initial interest rate of 2 percent. Sigora opened an office in Scott's Addition last year to serve residential customers in eastern and central Virginia and now the Richmond business market.

The average cost to install solar panels is $18,000 and take an average of 60 days to complete.

Clean Water is an Art!

Richmonders rally around public art, and some of the most inventive canvases of this past year were (drum roll) storm drain inlets! The Storm Drain Art Project recently garnered a National Environmental Achievement Award, for bringing public attention to ways we can keep our waterways pollution-free. Thanks to RVAH2O, an initiative of the City of Richmond's Department of Public Utilities, for offering this artistic public education plus engagement project.