Richmond Recognized for Clean Water Plan

The Department of Environmental Quality issued the City of Richmond an innovative permit under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) on Oct. 1.

Richmond is one of only a few cities in the nation to receive an integrated permit and voluntarily develop an associated integrated plan (the RVAH2O Clean Water Plan). This process began with RVAH2O Technical Stakeholders, as well as with Richmond community members and City leadership, in November 2014.

The Department of Public Utilities has already begun implementation of strategies to achieve “Cleaner Water Faster.” DPU will be sharing progress on these exciting initiatives in the future.

The success of the RVAH2O Clean Water Plan is due to consistent community and stakeholder engagement in attending meetings and investing time and energy into this project’s development. If you would like to learn more about RVAH2O or how you can get involved, visit the RVAH2O website.

VCC Launches Adopt-A-Charger Program

We know that transportation is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Richmond, and the largest contributor in the state of Virginia. That is why Virginia Clean Cities (VCC) is launching the Adopt-A-Charger Program, deploying electric vehicle charging stations across the state. This program will help develop sustainable transportation infrastructure and transition Virginia’s energy economy to renewable electricity.


You can support clean transportation and protect our environment for future generations.

The Adopt-A-Charger Program will crowdfund financial support for public level 2 charger stations. Tax-deductible gifts of $1, $5, $10 or $20 per month will be used to purchase EV chargers that will be donated to high-impact public locations. Once a sufficient amount of funds ($500) has been donated, VCC will purchase the equipment. VCC will then donate the equipment, publicize these awards and invite donors to ribbon cuttings.

Last year, donations allowed VCC to displace nearly 32 million gallons of petroleum and prevent nearly 151,000 tons of greenhouse gases from being discharged into the atmosphere. This program both reduces Virginia’s environmental impact and supports Richmond’s RVAgreen 2050 goal of reducing GHG emissions by 80% by 2050.

Visit the Adopt-A-Charger website to find out more about the program or make a donation!

VML Recognizes Richmond with Highest Go Green Virginia Award

The City of Richmond was recognized by the Virginia Municipal League’s (VML) Go Green Virginia program with Platinum Certification, the highest recognition in the program. This program scores the city based on performance for energy efficiency, renewable energy, community outreach, stormwater management, recycling, land use and transportation, and other related fields. Richmond received the award at the 2018 VML Annual Conference on Monday, Oct. 1.

The Virginia Municipal League’s Go Green Virginia initiative encourages communities to take the necessary steps to reduce energy usage and promote sustainability. Member local governments are urged to participate in a friendly competition known as the Green Government Challenge.

The “Challenge” is designed to encourage implementation of specific environmental policies and practical actions that not only reduce carbon emissions, but can save local governments money. VML is a statewide, nonprofit, nonpartisan association of city, town and county governments established in 1905 to improve and assist local governments through legislative advocacy, research, education and other services.

Richmond Received 2018 SolSmart Special Recognition Award for Demonstrating Solar Excellence

In addition to achieving SolSmart Silver, the City of Richmond has been presented with a 2018 Special Recognition Award by SolSmart. The SolSmart Special Recognition Award celebrates and shines a light on communities that have gone above and beyond – earning at least 60% of the total points available in one or more of the eight SolSmart categories of Permitting; Planning, Zoning and Development; Inspection; Construction Codes; Solar Rights; Utility Engagement; Community Engagement; and Marketing, Development and Finance.

Richmond received an award for excellence in the Inspection category. Read more about the city's solar efforts.

As a SolSmart Special Recognition Award winner, Richmond joins an exclusive and diverse group of communities across the U.S. who have not only satisfied the minimum requirements, but exceeded the high standards established by the SolSmart Criteria Advisory Committee.

SolSmart is a national designation program, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office through the Solar Powering America by Recognizing Communities (SPARC) initiative, designed to recognize communities that have taken key steps to address local barriers to solar energy and foster the growth of mature local solar markets. A growing number of cities and counties nationwide have achieved SolSmart designation since the program launched in 2016. Local governments can sign up to join the SolSmart program by visiting SolSmart.org.

Submit Your Big Ideas for the Richmond 300 Master Plan

The visioning process for Richmond 300, the City of Richmond’s new Master Plan, is well on its way. Throughout the last two weeks of September, the City hosted seven community open houses across Richmond. Staff from the Office of Sustainability joined each meeting to speak with participants about the City’s climate action efforts. Members of the community were asked for their vision for Richmond in 2037 and the big ideas to get there. We received a diverse and helpful range of feedback that will feed not only into Richmond 300, but also RVAgreen 2050, a community-wide initiative to develop and implement a roadmap of actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050 and prepare the community for the impacts of climate change.

The Sustainability & Resiliency display included information on the changing climate in Richmond (projections for higher average temperatures and an increased number of heat waves), as well as the sources of the City’s greenhouse gas emissions. We spoke with attendees about how climate change is impacting them and what they can do to mitigate its effects in Richmond.

If you were not able to come to a meeting, you still have until October 31 to comment online by taking the Richmond 300 Visioning Survey or visiting the Richmond 300 website. The Richmond 300 team will also be gathering feedback at upcoming events such as the Second Street Festival, Folk Festival, and Imagine Festival.

           

Richmond Region Energy Alliance

Richmond Region Energy Alliance (RREA) formed in 2010 to break down the barriers to residential energy efficiency and renewable, sustainable energy. Many homeowners do not know how to improve the comfort of their home, lower their energy bills, or reduce their carbon footprint. RREA is the local Richmond solution, a one-stop non-profit energy coach where people can go for objective advice on clean energy and energy efficiency solutions.

The SolarizeRVA program makes solar purchasing simple and affordable for homes and businesses and offers community-wide group purchasing and marketing to reduce costs, as well as pre-qualifies solar contractors.

Home energy check-ups are provided by certified energy advisors who can even install on-the-spot savings measures. RREA's partnership with Secure Futures provides no-cost solar for schools, universities, churches, local government, hospitals and non-profits.

From 2013 to 2016, RREA was the local partner for Dominion’s Home Energy Check-Up program. Through this program, they provided recommendations and install energy efficiency upgrades at no cost for 242 homeowners.

Also, RREA is a sponsor of Home Performance with Energy Star (HPwES), helping homeowners identify qualified contractors and access rebates and financing to make home energy improvements that increase the comfort, safety, and health of their home, while improving their carbon footprint.

For more information visit http://www.rrea-va.org.

Public Works Building Receives LEED Certification

 The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has granted LEED Certification to City of Richmond Department of Public Works' Commerce Road Building 1 at 1654 Commerce Road.

The building has been designated silver certification under the LEED 2009 New Construction and Major Renovations rating system. The construction was part of the Parker Field Redevelopment Project, in which all buildings and employees at Parker Field's DPW offices were relocated.

Seven categories comprise the overall USGBC rating criteria: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation and design, regional priority credits. Of the available 108 points, 52 were attempted and 53 were awarded. Silver certification is granted at 50 points.

Commerce Road Building 1 was recognized in several areas, including: water efficient landscaping, indoor air quality plan during construction and before occupancy, control of system lighting and thermal comfort, bicycle storage and changing room.

According to the Council, LEED certification “identifies your building as a showcase example of sustainability and demonstrates your leadership in transforming the building industry.”

The Council is now encouraging the city to share the work with the growing green community. Making the project public would put the Commerce Road building in the Council’s LEED project directory. Such projects are also eligible for additional marketing and promotional campaigns.

The Commerce Road Building 1 houses the administrative offices for the department’s Operations Division.