RVAgreen Sustainability and Energy Management Program Wins Award

The City of Richmond received the First Place U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Award for large cities, it was announced June 24 in Indianapolis. Honorable mentions went to Bridgeport, Conn., Eugene, Ore., and New York City.

The winning entry was the RVAgreen Sustainability and Energy Management Program, developed to improve the quality of life for residents, create a healthy environment and enhance economic development, as well as promote job opportunities.

From the baseline years of 2008-2013, the program has reduced CO2 emissions within city government operations by almost 9 percent and community GHG emissions by nearly 6 percent.

Richmond is the first and is still the only local government in Central Virginia to create a formal sustainability program. RVAgreen's unique feature is its year-long community-based planning effort, involving more than 400 residents and 65 stakeholder organizations in its 55 initiatives.

The many ways RVAgreen has improved the city's quality of life include:

·        Converted all 520 signalized intersections in the city limits from incandescent to LED lamps

·        City construction and renovation projects over 10,000 square feet achieved a minimum LEED Silver Certification

·        32 diesel refuse trucks were converted to 25 CNG trucks, and the city worked with Richmond International Airport to convert its 14 shuttle buses to CNG, and the Greater Richmond Transit Company to replace its diesel buses with CNG buses

·        The stormwater utility was created to manage stormwater runoff and encourage green practices by offering credits to commercial and residental customers that implement stormwater practices on their property

·        Expanded curbside recycling service to all city residents, with a pay-as-you-throw program in process

·        Installed 44 Big Belly solar-powered trash cans and recycling units on city sidewalks

·        Supported the Community Garden Program to offer vacant parcels to residents to grow fresh, organic foods in neighborhoods

·        Created the James River Park Conservation Easement to conserve 280 acres along the James River from future development

·        Planted and established close to 2,000 trees annually since 2010

·        Expanded multi-modal transportation options via the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on a main artery through downtown

·        Developed a Bicycle Master Plan to strategically plan greenways and connectors

·        Received the Bronze level Bike Friendly Community status

·        Built 25 miles of bike infrastructure since 2010

·        Completed the Virginia Capital Trail, a 53 mile bicycle and pedestrian trails connecting Richmond to Williamsburg

In addition, the city hosted the 2015 UCI Road World Championships, the first U.S. city to do so in 30 years, attracting 1,000 professional cycling athletes from 75 countries to compete in 12 world championship races. The city accelerated its RVAgreen sustainability initiatives for the event, ensuring it was a sustainability success with a lasting positive impact on the community.