HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN GreenStep CitiesContact: Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications Director
Phone 952-833-9520 • jbennerotte@EdinaMN.gov • EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Edina Recognized for Environmental Sustainability Efforts
Edina, Minn., June 10, 2020 – The City of Edina was recently recognized by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency as a Step 5 city in its GreenStep program. Step 5 is the highest designation
in the program and is something Edina has been working toward since 2011.
Minnesota GreenStep Cities is a voluntary challenge, assistance and recognition program to help cities achieve their sustainability and quality-of-life goals. This free continuous improvement
program is based upon 29 best practices that are tailored to Minnesota cities, focus on cost savings and energy use reduction, and encourage civic innovation.
Step 1 recognition levels show a city is building community knowledge and interest in sustainability. Step 2 requires a city to implement 4-8 best practices. Step 3 requires an additional
4-8 best practices, including some that have a high impact. Step 4 requires cities to measure and report numbers for 7-15 performance metrics or sustainability indicators to present
to the community the “state of sustainability” achieved by a city. The final recognition level for the GreenStep Cities Program – Step 5 – challenges cities to show improvement in the
Step 4 metrics.
“The GreenSteps Cities program provides an avenue for cities to track and improve on sustainability goals. Without tracking data year to year, it is impossible to see how we are doing
with our sustainability efforts. This program provides one way for the City to track progress,” said Engineering Director Chad Millner, who oversees the City’s Sustainability Division.
Edina is one of 140 participating cities and tribal nations and is helping lead the way in sustainability across the state of Minnesota. Edina has worked hard to implement best practices
in order to fulfill its sustainability goals. Actions that are taken within the program focus on cost savings, energy use reduction, resource conservation and the encouragement of civic
innovation.
You can learn more about Edina’s efforts at EdinaMN.gov/Sustainability. To learn specifics on Edina’s GreenStep Cities designation, visit mngreenstep.org. For more information, contact
Millner at 952-826-0318.
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