The City of Charlotte's quarterly environmental newsletter brings you up-to-date on some of the City's latest environmental initiatives, programs, and successes. We hope that you find this information useful as you join with us in helping build a greener and more sustainable Charlotte-Mecklenburg, through the choices we make every day.

Charlotte is known as the Queen City. But will its future designation be "green city?" The City Council Environment Committee was presented with the first draft of a Sustainable Facilities policy, designed to incorporate environmentally responsible elements in the design, construction and operation of City facilities. Staff from the City's Engineering and Property Management Division developed the draft following extensive research and interviews conducted in peer cities such as Denver, Kansas City, Phoenix, and Portland, in addition to Asheville, Durham, and Winston-Salem, among others. The policy will provide city staff with the foundation to design, construct, and operate sustainable buildings under the City's jurisdiction. The guidelines also establish Charlotte's sustainable priorities. They are:

• Preservation of land and trees
• Conservation of clean water resources
• Reduction of energy use and carbon footprint
• Maximization of transportation alternatives
• Leadership by example and encouragement of a local sustainable industry
• Encouragement of sustainable employee behavior

City Council is slated to adopt the policy by October of this year. To view the entire power point presentation on the Sustainable Facilities Policy Development, go to the Environment Committee section of the Focus on Environment web page at www.charmeck.org and click on meeting minutes.

The CMGC has earned the ENERGY STAR designation from the US Environmental Protection Agency. The award is the mark of superior energy performance and identifies the facility as one the most efficient buildings in the nation. To earn the label, the facility demonstrated that its energy performance is in the top 25% compared to similar buildings nationwide. Conditions for thermal comfort, indoor air quality and lighting levels must also be met. The CMGC competed in the "office building" category and is now one of four ENERGY STAR office buildings in center city and one of 15 in Charlotte. ENERGY STAR is an annual recognition. This is the first time the City of Charlotte has applied for the designation.

Hot and humid days mean bigger demands on our energy supply, whether you're inside your home, car, or workplace. These simple steps will have an impact on your energy use, costs, and the environment.

• Take public transit to work. You'll help reduce emissions, save on your gas bill, reduce wear and tear on your car, and you'll let someone else fight the traffic.
• Before leaving for work, close your window blinds to reduce the impact of heat during the day.
• To use home energy more efficiently, install a programmable thermostat.  Duke Energy estimates that if you adjust your thermostat up just two degrees, the cost to cool your home can be reduced by up to five percent.
• Water early in the day to enable your lawn and soil to absorb water. And don't forget to choose the right type of grass. Make sure your lawn is adaptable to the southeast climate.

Charlotte has applied for an Energy Efficient Block Grant, part of President Obama's stimulus bill. The City will receive initial grant funding of $250,000 dollars to hire a team of consultants to assist the City in developing project ideas and the best strategy for implementation.  If Charlotte's proposal is ultimately approved by the Department of Energy (DOE), the City aims to receive $6.7 million dollars in two separate appropriations. The overall  goal of the grant is simple; invest in energy and the environment through projects such as energy efficient retrofits, reduction and capture of methane and greenhouse gases, renewable energy technologies on government buildings, and energy efficient retrofits, just to name a few. The consultant contract will be awarded by September, and council review and adoption of the strategy will occur before the end of the year, and submitted to DOE for approval.  Residents will have the opportunity to comment on the proposal prior to its submission to DOE. To learn more about this and other stimulus projects, visit www.charmeck.org and click on the stimulus package logo.

Log on to your bank's online bill pay web site and sign up to receive your City of Charlotte Services Bill. It's free, simple, secure – and green. Why sign up for paperless billing?

• You'll help the environment by eliminating the need for paper bills and checks.
• Save money on the postage required for mailed payments.
• Save your online City Services bills and view them at your convenience.
• Never worry about paying your bill on time.

Go green and simplify your life with just a few clicks. Sign up today.

The Gov Channel brings you City of Charlotte news, including the latest environmental news in our bi-monthly environmental feature. The newest feature takes viewers to Utilities' new Environmental Services Facility which recently received a gold certified designation from the US. Green Building Council for sustainable, high performance buildings. View episodes of City Source online at www.charmeck.org by clicking on The Gov Channel logo.