HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-11-18 PacketMinutes of the Regular Meeting of the
Energy and Environment Commission
Edina City Hall Community Room
Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 7:00 P.M.
Members In Attendance and Roll Call: Surya Iyer, Steve Christianson, Dianne
Plunkett Latham, M. Germana Paterlini, Bill Sierks, Paul Thompson, Hailey Lee, Julie
Risser
Absent: Jeannie Hanson, Michael Platteter
Staff Present: Heather Worthington, Jane Timm
Welcome & Roll Call
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Iyer.
2. Discussion and Approval of Agenda.
Commissioner Sierks made a motion to approve the meeting agenda with
additions: Nominations, Edina Community Foundation, and Copenhagen.
Commissioner Christianson seconded. Motion carried.
3. Approval of the October 21, 2009 Meeting Minutes.
Commissioner Thompson made a motion to approve the minutes of the
October 21, 2009 meeting. Commissioner Christianson seconded. Motion
carried.
4. Community Comment
Resident, Chuck Prentice, 5009 W. 60th St, came on behalf of his daughter Valiea
Prentice. They would like the City of Edina to support the Copenhagen UN Climate
Conference by way of a resolution. She will attend the Conference. Commissioner
Thompson was given direction to put wording together for a resolution to be brought in
front of Edina City Council, December 1, 2009.
Commissioner Thompson made a motion to put forth a resolution to the Edina
City Council to support the Copenhagen UN Climate Conference.
Commissioner Latham seconded. Motion carried.
Resident, Greg Nelson, 6120 Hansen Rd, was at the meeting to learn about the
EEC and perhaps become a part of a Working Group.
5. Staff Update
Assistant City Manager, Heather Worthington gave an update on the B3 data
(Benchmark for State of MN with cities over 5,000 to measure building efficiency)
update.
Ms. Worthington gave an update of the ICLEI Milestone I. The data has been
completed and the draft report would be given to the Commission for consideration
at the next meeting. After that time, it would be submitted to ICLEI.
Ms. Worthington gave an update on the beginning of ICLEI Milestone II. She
discussed an upcoming meeting with Kristina Smitten, Project Coordinator of ULI
(Urban Land Institute). They will determine the approach and best practices for
the Green Step Cities. The pilot program begins in January 2010 and ends in
June of 2010.
Ms. Worthington told the commission she will bring forward policy/policies for the
commission to consider at the next meeting. The policies would involve making
the city more sustainable.
Ms. Worthington told the commission that Minneapolis, Hennepin County and
Edina now have a Working Group based on sustainability issues.
6. Commission Business
Commissioner Latham read a recommendation from the Recycling and Solid Waste
Working Group (RSW WG) for the EEC to consider. It was regarding a community
survey.
Commissioner Latham made a motion on behalf of the RSW WG to recommend
that the Edina City Council request the EEC to study recycling and solid waste
issues such as organized hauling and single sort recycling, including economic
and environmental benefits. The study is to be conducted with a community
survey as well as with other applicable instruments. Thereafter
recommendations will be made to Council. Commissioner Sierks seconded.
Rollcall Vote:
Ayes: Christianson, Latham, Lee, Paterlini, Risser, Sierks, Thompson, Iyer
Motion carried.
At this time, Businessman, Gary Vierkant, spoke about a survey done in 1973 about
organized garbage collection.
Jim Jones of the RSW WG presented a PowerPoint on "Office Recycling". He talked
about the approach to having office buildings/suites implement recycling in their
buildings.
Chair Iyer talked with commissioners about the 2009/2010 objectives and asked the
chairs of the working groups keep the commission up to speed on the projects and
priorities.
Chair Iyer asked Jane Timm to keep a spreadsheet of the volunteer responses to the
press release in the Sun Current and bring it to the December 2009 meeting.
Commissioner Christianson made a motion to nominate and approve Julie
Mellum, 5700 York Ave S to the Air & Water Quality Working Group.
Commissioner Latham seconded. Motion carried.
Commissioner Thompson made a motion to nominate three energy champions
— Shepherd of the Hills Church, 500 Blake Rd, Faith Community Energy
Champion; Jane Levin and Judy Reisman, 4235 Alden Ave, Family Energy
Champions; and Florida West Office Building in Golden Valley, Minnesota,
Business Energy Champion. Commissioner Latham seconded. Motion carried.
Commissioner Thompson made a motion to authorize the Chair of the EEC to
sign the document earmarked to establish an account for the EEC at the Edina
Community Foundation. Commissioner Latham seconded. Motion carried.
Commissioner Thompson made a motion to draft a resolution regarding
support of the UN Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen to be adopted
by the Edina City Council. Commissioner Latham seconded. Motion carried.
Commissioner Thompson gave an update on his upcoming trip to Copenhagen.
He will be there from December 2 through December 21, 2009. He gave his blog
site to all commissioners. Commissioner Thompson also made a request to work
from the Education and Outreach Working Group to set up an informational
meeting about Julie Risser's trip to Indonesia, Paul Thompson's Copenhagen trip,
and the roll out of the GreenStep program. The date decided on was January 26,
2010.
Commissioner Latham asked the commission to consider her letter for the Sun
current on Emerald Ash Borer.
Commissioner Sierks made a motion to approve Commissioner Latham's
letter for the monthly article in the Edina Sun Current on Emerald Ash Borer.
Commissioner Christianson seconded. Motion carried.
7. Adjournment
Commissioner Christianson made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner
Thompson seconded. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. The
next meeting will be the regularly scheduled meeting at 7:00 p.m. December 16,
2009 in the Community Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane M. Timm, Deputy City Clerk
PUBLIC COPY
EDINA PUBLIC MEETING PROCEDURES
During "Public Hearings" the Chair will ask for public comment after City start members make
their presentations. If you wish to, speak on the topic, you are welcome to do so as long as your
comments are relevant to the discussion. To ensure fairness to all speakers and to allow the
efficient conduct of a public hearing, speakers must observe the following guidelines:
• Individuals must limit their presentations to three minutes or less. The Chair will modify
presentation times, as deemed necessary.
• Try not to repeat remarks or points of view made by prior speakers and limit comments to
the matter under consideration.
• In order to maintain a comfortable environment for all those in attendance, the use of
signs, clapping, cheering or booing or any other form of verbal or nonverbal
communication is not allowed.
During "Community Comment," the Chair will ask to hear from those in attendance who would
like to speak about something not on tonight's agenda. Individuals must limit their presentations
to three minutes and cannot speak to an issue for which a public hearing was previously held and
closed within the last thirty days or a matter scheduled for a future hearing on a specific date.
Individuals should not expect the Chair or Commission to respond to their comments. Instead, the
Commission might direct the matter to staff for consideration at a future meeting.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION
AGENDA FOR MEETING
December 16, 2009, 7:00 PM — 9:00 PM
1) Welcome, Call to Order, and Roll Call (2 min)
2) Discussion and Approval of Agenda and Agenda times (3 min)
3) Discussion and Approval of November 2009 Minutes (5 min)
4) Community Comment (10 min)
5) Staff Update (20 min)
6) Commission Business
Letter of Interest for a Federal Grant (30 min)
Report on Web conference with Hara (5 mins)
Update on Green Purchasing (5 mins)
Volunteer Requests (20 min)
7) Adjourn
The City of Edina wants all residents to be comfortable being part of the public process. If you
need assistance in the way of hearing amplification, an interpreter, large -print documents or
something else, please call 952-927-8861 72 hours in advance of the meeting.
City of Edina Letterhead
,John Madole
,John Christopher Madole Associates, Inc.
4017 18' Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55407-3337
Dear John,
I have been following your work with CNG, LNG, and community digesters for a
few years. I understand that you are working with two non-profit organizations,
CEDA and Traditions & Hope to win a federal grant to help finance the conversion
of vehicles to being bi-fuel. We are very interested in examining the pollution
reduction, energy savings, impact on global warming, and cost savings that could
result in our participation in such a program. As you know, the City of Edina has
been dedicated to addressing global warming while providing efficient use of the
taxpayer's money. If your finance programs could assist in both carbon reductions
and immediate cost savings, I believe your program will be a great success. Please
keep us informed of your progress and good luck with the US EPA grant.
Sincerely,
Mayor James B. Hovland
Cc Ms. Yevette Boutall, CEDA Community Development Fund and Mr. Gene
Chase, Traditions & Hope, Mr. Surya Iyer, Dianne Plunkett Latham, Bill Sierks,
and Paul Thompson of the Edina Energy & Environment Commission
Potential for CNG & LNG Loans and Investments
Two of the fastest growing vehicle fuels worldwide are Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
and Liquid Natural Gas (LNG). This rapid expansion of CNG and LNG vehicles is
expected to arrive in a big way in the Midwestern United States over the next 3 years.
This expansion will create demand for loans and investments related to new CNG/LNG
pumping stations at existing and new service stations as well as conversion of tens of
thousands of vehicles to running on CNG and LNG. Here are some facts related to this
rapid expansion:
- Largest CNG fleet operating is the U.S. Postal Service with over 7,400 vehicles.
- A large number of metropolitan areas now have growing CNG or LNG transit bus
fleets, with some metro areas running bus fleets almost exclusively on CNG/LNG
including Denver, San Diego, Boston, and Atlanta.
- Over 1,200 CNG/LNG filling stations have opened in past 15 years in the U.S.
with around 50% of the retail service station business in California.
- Over 1,000 garbage trucks in California run on CNG or LNG.
- Police cars, dump trucks, and other heavy machinery are operated on CNG/LNG
in California.
- By 2005 CNG conversions had taken hold in many nations including
Argentina
1,300,000 CNG vehicles operating
Brazil
550,000 CNG vehicles operating
Italy
380,000 CNG vehicles operating
Pakistan
280,000 CNG vehicles operating
India
137,000 CNG vehicles operating.
Since 2005, millions of CNG conversions have taken place world wide, with
reports of conversions of over 10,000 per month being reported in Argentina,
Brazil, and other nations.
Dramatic reductions in smog in Mumbai, India, which is India's largest
metropolitan area. All motorcycles, taxis, and transit buses were required to
convert to CNG or LNG. Mumbai was considered one of most polluted Cities in
the world until CNG and LNG requirements dramatically cleaned the air within
the Metropolitan Area. ;The program was so successful, that India is in the
process of requiring the same reforms in all major Indian Cities with air quality
problems.
Ford, General Motors, and Volvo are the largest manufacturers of bi-fuel cars that
can burn CNG with either gasoline or diesel. Because these vehicles are only
manufactured and marketed in Europe, Asia, and South America, a thriving CNG
conversion manufacturing and installation business has begun in the
Southwestern United States focused in southern California.
Expansion of CNG/ LNG industry to manufacture conversion kits business now
includes major makes and models sold in the United States.
Light Duty Vehicle installation of a conversion kit varies from $4,000 to $12,000
depending on make & model.
Converting transit buses, front-end loaders, school buses, and other larger
vehicles to CNG or LNG will vary from $30,000 to $55,000 depending on make
and model.
Government of Peru has begun running trains through the Andes Mountains on
LNG.
The Toyota Camry and Honda Civic are actively marketing the CNG versions of
these models in parts of the U.S. where a CNG service station infrastructure is in
place. Honda has also been marketing a home service station appliance, so that
homeowners can refill their Honda's in their home garage at night with just a
natural gas connection.
So why is CNG and LNG growing so quickly and what does it mean to convert a
vehicle?
- The Federal Government provides a 50% rebate for individuals and private firms
to convert gasoline and Diesel vehicles to CNG or LNG bi-fuel vehicles.
- The Federal Government provides a 50% rebate to private firms for installing
CNG or LNG gas pumps or service stations.
- The Federal Government provides a $0.15 subsidy for every gallon of gas
equivalent (gge) sold at CNG/LNG service stations.
- The Federal Government provides a 50% rebate to individuals and private firms
that install CNG -filling appliances in household garages or in business parking
ramps or garages.
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, State of Minnesota, State of Illinois,
and other Midwestern states are providing conversion grants to replace or convert
diesel school buses to bi-fuel CNG/LNG vehicles or vehicles dedicated to only
burning CNG or LNG. Governmental entities are promoting these grants to
improve indoor air quality for the children riding the buses as well as the
substantial impact of CNG on air quality in Metropolitan Regions.
- When a diesel or gasoline vehicle is converted, this means that the vehicle has
become a bi-fuel vehicle. This means that it can still use gasoline or diesel, but it
can also use CNG as a vehicle fuel. Bi -fuel vehicle conversions are important
because the vehicle owner can fill up with gasoline or diesel when CNG is not
available.
- CNG and LNG are cheaper than either gasoline or diesel. CNG is generally 20%
or more less expensive per mile driven than either gasoline or diese. Since
petroleum products in the U.S. are subsidized and some nations offer no such
subsidies, the disparity in prices between CNG and gasoline/diesel in places like
Argentina and Brazil and Europe exceeds $2.00 per gallon.
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is promoting the expansion of CNG
and LNG as a replacement for diesel because CNG/LNG have 95% cleaner tail
pipe emissions.
- Renewable CNG and LNG produced from organic materials is carbon neutral and
does not contribute to global warming. Substantial carbon credits are expected
from the use of Renewable CNG and LNG.
Why is CNG and LNG expected to expand more rapidly in the Midwest?
The Midwest has the richest concentration of feedstocks needed to produce
biomethane or "green gas" that can be used to produce CNG and LNG. CNG and
LNG can be produced from manure, crop residues such as corn stover (stalks),
energy crops such as prairie grass, solid waste, and biosolids. The Thermophilic
Anaerobic Digester (TAD) technology has advanced to produce up to 50% more
methane from rural feedstock sources than traditional digesters, (Mesophilic
Digesters).
The Midwest is the end of the pipeline and is located far away from Natural Gas
production areas such as Edmonton, Alberta and El Paso, Texas. The added
transportation costs of piping the natural gas over a thousand miles to the
Midwest is a significant cost that can be eliminated by producing renewable
natural gas in the Midwest from biological sources.
Good planning and economic development staff in the Midwest are very capable
of encouraging governmental reforms, siting new CNG and LNG facilities, and
organizing the necessary support to bring rapid development of the CNG industry.
States such as Illinois are capable of becoming net exporters of renewable natural
gas. Buying from the Midwest instead of the Middle East can become a reality.
Figure 1.0 Uppsala CNG Service Station that sells only Renewable CNG derived from
Biomethane Sources.
Figure 2.0 City Buses being filled with CNG derived from Biomethane sources in
Linkoping, Sweden.
2009 Volunteer Requests
Energy and Environment Commission
First Name
Last Name Address
Phone #
Phone # 2 Email Address
Greg
Nelson 6120 Hansen Rd
612-799-8623
Gnelson@ehsystemsinc.com
Timothy A
Crain
952-210-2230
952-920-2489 timothyacrain@aol.com
Richard
Oriani
orian001@umn.edu
Julie
Mellum 5700 York Ave S
952-393-6218
Mellum.lulie@gmail.com
Dyan
Westman
drwestman@yahoo.com
Laura
Arneson
lauarneson@msn.com
12/10/2009
Interest #1
Renewable Energy
Air & Water Quality
Energy
Air & Water Quality
Education & Outreach
Interest #2 Interest #3
Carbon Tracking Recycling & Solid Waste
Carbon Tracking Education and Outreach
Jane Timm
From:
Lynette Biunno
Sent:
Monday, November 16, 2009 12:54 PM
To:
Jane Timm
Subject:
FW: Energy & Environment Commission
Lynette Biunno
City of Edina Receptionist
952-927-8861
www.cityofedina.com
From: timothyacrain@aol.com [mailto:timothyacrain@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 11:39 AM
To: Lynette Biunno
Subject: Energy & Environment Commission
Dear Sir / Madam:
As per your press release, I would like to volunteer for one, or more, of the interest groups under the above mentioned
commission.
The three topics in which I am interested are listed, and ranked, below:
1) Air & Water Quality
2) Carbon Tracking & Measurement
3) Recycling & Solid Waste
My skills are many such as : financial analysis and computer programs.
I have an undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering and a master's degree in Business.
I feel both of these would enable me to understand the complex issues and factors that we would be dealing with.
I have worked as an engineer and as a director of financial planning and analysis for a Fortune 500 company.
Please let me know if you are interested in utilizing my talents in your work. Thank you. / Tim
Timothy A. Crain
Cell: 952 — 210 — 2230
Home: 952 — 920 — 2489
Jane Timm
From: Lynette Biunno
Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 3:17 PM
To: Jane Timm
Subject: FW: Energy and Environment Commission
Lynette Biunno
City of Edina Receptionist
952-927-8861
www.cityofedina.com
-----Original Message -----
From: orian001@umn.edu [mailto:orian001@umn.edu]
Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 3:11 PM
To: Lynette Biunno
Subject: Energy and Environment Commission
Gentlemen,
would be interested in helping with the agenda of the Edina Energy and Environment Commission. I am a
retired professor from the Chemical Engineering and Material Science Department of the University of
Minnesota with the PhD in physical chemistry from Princeton University. I have had long experience with
hydrogen in metals, I am familiar with fuel cells, and am currently carrying out research at the U on a new kind
of nuclear reaction. The topics of energy, carbon tracking, and education and outreach would be of greatest
interest to me.
Richard Oriani
Jane Timm
From: Lynette Biunno
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 9:06 AM
To: Jane Timm
Subject: FW: Working group or involvement with commision
Lynette Biunno
City of Edina Receptionist
952-927-8861
www,cityofedina.com
From: Greg Nelson [mailto:Gnelson@ehsystemsinc.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 10:18 PM
To: Lynette Biunno
Subject: Working group or involvement with commision
I attending the Energy an Environment Commission meeting last night. I found it very interesting. In the agenda I
recieved, it had a notice looking for assitance on working groups. I would be interested in learning more and possibly
joining a group that works on renewable energy.
Who do I contact to learn more?
Thanks
Greg Nelson
612-799-8623
Jane Timm
From: Lynette Biunno
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 8:30 AM
To: Jane Timm
Subject: FW: Edina Energy and Environment Commission
Lynette Biunno
City of Edina Receptionist
952-927-8861
www.cityofedina.com
From: Laura Arneson [mailto:lauarneson@msn.com]
Sent: Saturday, November 21, 2009 5:37 PM
To: Lynette Biunno
Subject: Edina Energy and Environment Commission
To whom it may concern,
I am interested in becoming a part of the Edina Energy and Environment Commission. I am a junior at
Edina High School and a dedicated member of EHS Project Earth, the group that orchestrates the school's
recycling program and many other environmental projects and events. I am also a member of the EHS
212 Core Leadership Team, specifically its "Go Green, Go Clean" subgroup.
I am very excited that Edina is taking the initiative to improve our environment by forming the Energy
and Environment Commission, and I would love to be able to bring my youthful perspective and energy to
the Commission. I submitted an application this summer (at the Our Clean Energy Future event), but I
have not heard back from anyone, so I thought I would resubmit my information in case my original form
was lost. I am interested in serving on whichever subgroup needs more volunteers, but my first choice
would be the the Education and Outreach subgroup. Thank you for your consideration!
Sincerely,
Laura Arneson
From: mellum.julie@gmail.com [mailto:mellum.julie@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 7:55 PM
To: Lynette Biunno
Subject: energy volunteer
Your article in today's Star Tribune, "Edina seeks energy volunteer,s" has prompted me to volunteer for a
working group on air and water quality.
I have been working on air quality issues for over eight years and am particularly well versed and
researched on wood smoke issues and chemical fragrances in cleaning products, dryer sheets, etc. as
major contributors to air pollution--which also affects our water supply. Please contact me. Thank you.
Ranked preferences:
1. air quality and water quality
2. education and outreach on the above
3. renewable energy—and the need for true clean energy
4. carbon tracking and measurement
5. recycling and solid waste
6. city's procurement policy
7.
Julie Mellum
5700 York Avenue S
Edina, MN 55410
952-393-6218
Mellum.julieCo).gmail. com
Jane Timm
From: Jennifer Bennerotte
Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 11:03 AM
To: Jane Timm; Deb Mangen
Subject: FW: Volunteer for Edina Energy and Environment Commission
Jennifer Bennerotte
Communications & Marketing Director
City of Edina
952-833-9520
FAX 952-826-0390
jbennerotte(c)_ci.edina. mn. us
From: Dyan Westman [mailto:drwestman@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 11:01 AM
To: Jennifer Bennerotte
Subject: Re: Volunteer for Edina Energy and Environment Commission
I would like to be involved in this commission and/or volunteer.
Tell me what the next step would be
Thanks,
Dyan
Dyan Westman
Associate Consultant
Dorsey-Hovde Art Design
240 Minnetonka Avenue South #200
Wayzata, MN 55391
Office: 952.473.1445
Cell: 612.418.0821
www.dhartdesign.com
Mark your Calendar! The Society for the Arts
in Healthcare's 21st annual conference
pARTners for HEALTH, April 28- Mal 2010
Minneapolis, MN www.thesah.org
ENVIRONMENTAL PURCHASING POLICY — CITY OF EDINA
Draft, October 29, 2009
Table of Contents
Purposeand Scope................................................................................................................................2
Definitions............................................................................................................................................. 2
Background...........................................................................................................................................
3
GeneralPolicies....................................................................................................................................4
Research, Planning and Education........................................................................................................4
Identification of Products and Services................................................................................................5
A. Source Reduction.......................................................................................................................5
B. Recycled Content Products..........................................................................................................6
C. Forest Conservation.....................................................................................................................
6
D. Toxics and Pollutants.......................:...........................................................................................7
E. Energy and Water Savings...........................................................................................................
8
F. Green Building - Construction and Renovations.........................................................................9
G. Waste Minimization.....................................................................................................................
9
H. Landscaping (NEEDS COMPARISON WITH PARK DEPT. POLICIES) ................................
9
I. Bio -Based Products.....................................................................................................................10
J. Producer Responsibility..............................................................................................................10
K. Renewable Energy and Greenhouse Gas Reductions...............................................................11
L. Automatic Substitutions.............................................................................................................11
Purpose and Scope
The City of Edina Environmental Purchasing Policy is a guide to the selection of goods and
services that have minimal impact on the environment. The City recognizes that every
purchased product or service affects the environmental throughout its life -cycle — from the
extraction of raw materials, the manufacturing and transportation of the product, to its use and
disposal. Careful purchasing decisions use natural resources more efficiently, can lead to
significant savings, protect our environment, and increase demand for better all-around
products. Specifically, the Policy is adopted in order to:
• conserve natural resources, including water and energy,
• eliminate or reduce the use of toxic and hazardous compounds,
• reduce materials that are landfilled,
• lower overall costs by addressing full cost accounting (purchase, maintenance,
disposal, staff time, and labor),
• leverage buying power,
• assess long term financial/market changes,
• invest in technological advances
This policy will apply to all City departments and employees.
This policy is subject to the Municipal Contracting Law (MN. Statue 471.345), the Presidential
Executive Order 13101, and all other applicable laws and ordinances.
Definitions
For the purpose of this Policy, the following definitions and abbreviations shall apply:
ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials
Bio -based product: A product using biological or renewable agricultural (plant, animal or
marine) or forestry materials.
Biodegradable: The ability of a substance, material or product ingredient to readily
decompose by the action of microbes.
Carcinogen: A chemical that causes cancer.
CFL: Compact Fluorescent Lamp..
Energy Star: An energy efficiency product labeling program by the EPA
(http://www.energystar.gov).
Environmentally preferable products and services: As defined by Presidential Executive
Order 13101, means products and services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human
health and the environment when compared to competing products and services that serve
the same purpose. This applies to raw material acquisition, as well as product manufacturing,
distribution, use, maintenance, and disposal.
EPEAT: Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool; an on-line tool helping
institutional purchasers select and compare electronic equipment such as computers and
monitors based on their environmental attributes.
Forest Stewardship Council: a global organization that certifies responsible, on -the -ground
forest management (http://fscus.org/html/).
IPM: Integrated pest management; the use of a combination of pest control methods including
improved sanitation, mechanical, physical, biological, or chemical means.
PBT: Persistent, Bio accumulative Toxic; pollutants that are toxic, persist in the environment and
bioaccumulate in food chains and, thus, pose risks to human health and ecosystems
Petroleum-based organic solvents: Chemicals derived from petroleum capable of
dissolving or dispersing other substances and are common ingredients in cleaning and
degreasing products.
Post -consumer recycled content: Material that has served its intended use and has been
discarded for disposal or recovery, having completed its life as a consumer item.
Product lifecycle considerations: Refers to the environmental effects of a product through
raw materials acquisition, manufacturing, distribution, use, maintenance and disposal.
Processed -chlorine free paper: refers to paper that is manufactured using a percentage of
post -consumer recycled paper fiber (that may contain residues of chlorine) and is whitened
without adding chlorine or chlorine derivatives.
Recovered Material: Fragments of products or finished products of a manufacturing process,
that includes preconsumer and postconsumer material.
Water Sense: A water conservation product labeling program by the EPA
Background
The City of Edina has an opportunity to serve as a community model for environmental
leadership by incorporating a policy that will conserve precious resources such as water, raw
materials, and energy, reduce the use of hazardous substances, and potentially improve the
environmental quality of the wider Edina community. By incorporating environmental
considerations in public purchasing, the City of Edina can reduce its burden on the local and
global environment, remove unnecessary hazards from its operations, protect public health,
reduce costs and liabilities, and help develop markets for environmentally responsible
products.
The Edina Environmental Purchasing Policy has been developed with advise from the
Energy and Environment Commission, whose duties include "examining and recommending
changes in City purchases and operations to conserve energy".
General Policies
The City Assistant Manager shall coordinate the implementation of the Environmental
Purchasing Policy and may establish a special interdepartmental Environmental Purchasing
Task Force (hereinafter "the Task Force") with representatives from Administration, Assessing,
Building Inspections, Communications & Marketing, Engineering & Public Works, Finance,
Fire, Health, Park & Recreation, Planning and Police, and other relevant departments/
operations to (1) identify opportunities for environmental purchasing initiatives, (2) provide a
forum for open discussion by affected personnel, and (3) educate and inform staff about the
environmental purchasing program. The Task Force shall meet quarterly following the
adoption of this policy.
Research, Planning and Education
The Task Force shall research opportunities to (a) expand the purchase of environmentally
preferable products; (b) identify environmentally preferable alternatives; (c) recommend goals,
where practicable, to practice alternative processes within the City of Edina operations that
will reduce the use/disposal of hazardous substances and will promote resource
conservation; and (d) collect and maintain up-to-date information regarding manufacturers,
vendors, and other sources for locating/ordering environmentally preferable products. The
Task Force and/or Assistant City Manager shall provide applicable information to the City
departments.
The Assistant City Manager shall submit annual reports to the City Council and Energy and
Environment Commission regarding the status of this policy's implementation. This report
shall include total purchases of environmentally preferable products by each department,
results of designated product evaluations, and the financial status for implementation of this
policy including indirect and direct costs/savings.
Identification of Products and Services
A. Source Reduction
A.1. Edina will institute practices that reduce waste and result in the purchase of fewer
products whenever practicable and cost-effective, but without reducing safety or workplace
quality, including but not limited to:
• communicating electronically instead of printing,
• photocopying and printing double -sided,
• streamlining and computerizing forms,
• printing of documents and reports only as they are needed,
• using long -life products with service agreements supporting maintenance and repair
rather than purchasing,
• sharing equipment and occasional use items,
• choosing durable products rather than disposable,
• buying in bulk, when storage and operations exist to support it,
• reusing products such as, but not limited to, file folders, storage boxes, office supplies,
and furnishings.
• using washable and reusable dishes and utensils,
• using rechargeable batteries
A.2. The City will purchase remanufactured products such as laser toner cartridges, tires,
furniture, equipment and automotive parts whenever practicable, but without reducing safety,
quality or effectiveness.
A.3. All buyers will evaluate short-term and long-term costs in comparing product alternatives,
when feasible. This includes consideration of total costs expected during the time a product is
owned, including, but not limited to, acquisition, extended warranties, operation, supplies,
maintenance, disposal costs and expected lifetime compared to other alternatives.
A.5. The City of Edina will require to the extent practicable, that surplus or outdated electronic
equipment, including but not limited to computers, monitors, printers, and copiers, be
designated for reuse and or recycling according to HENNEPIN RECYCLING EXPAND HERE
A.6. Vendors will be encouraged whenever practicable to take back and reuse pallets and
packaging materials.
A.7. City funds will not be used to purchase single -use bottled water unless it is necessary to
protect public health.
B. Recycled Content Products
B.1. Printing paper, office paper, and paper products will contain the highest postconsumer
content practicable, but no less than the minimum recycled content standards established by
the US EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines.
B.2. Janitorial paper products will contain the highest postconsumer content practicable, but
no less than the minimum recycled content standards established by the US EPA
Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines.
B.3. Products such as those for construction, landscaping, parks and recreation,
transportation, vehicles, miscellaneous, and non -paper office products, will contain the
highest postconsumer content practicable, or, when postconsumer material is impracticable
for a specific type of product, contain substantial amounts of recovered material, but no less
than the minimums established by the US EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines.
B.4. When specifying asphalt concrete, aggregate base or portland cement concrete for road
construction projects, Edina will use recycled, reusable or reground materials when
practicable, including, but not limited to, in-place recycling of asphalt concrete, aggregate
base and portland cement concrete; rubberized asphalt concrete; recycled aggregate base; or
recycled asphalt concrete.
B.5. To the greatest extent practicable, Edina will specify and purchase recycled -content
transportation products, including signs, cones, parking stops, delineators, and barricades,
including recycled products approved by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
B.6. The City of Edina will purchase re -refined lubricating and industrial oil for use in its
vehicles and other equipment, as long as it is certified by the American Petroleum Institute
(API) as appropriate for use in such equipment.
B.8. The City of Edina will purchase paint meeting Green Seal or other equivalent
environmental standard for recycled content latex paint whenever practicable.
C. Forest Conservation
C.1. To the greatest extent practicable, Edina will not procure wood products such as lumber
and paper that originate from forests harvested in an environmentally unsustainable manner.
When practicable, Edina will give preference to wood products that are certified to be
sustainability harvested by a comprehensive, performance-based certification system. The
certification system will include independent third -party audits, with standards equivalent to, or
stricter than, those of the Forest Stewardship Council certification.
C.2. The City of Edina encourages the purchase or use of previously used or salvaged wood
and wood products whenever practicable.
D. Toxics and Pollutants
D.1. When making a choice among comparable products, the City will, whenever practicable,
favor those products whose production, use, and disposal involve fewer hazardous materials,
including:
• carcinogens, neurotoxicants and reproductive toxins,
• persistent bioaccumulative toxicants, including, but not limited to lead, mercury, dioxins
and furans,
• compounds that are acutely toxic to humans or aquatic life, corrosive to the skin or
eyes,
• substances that contribute to the production of photochemical smog, tropospheric
ozone production, or poor indoor air quality.
D.3. The City of Edina will review its Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan in regard to
those practices for indoor and outdoor areas that include chemical controls, with the goal of
lowering its current use of chemicals, adopting bio -based herbicides, and providing on-going
training for City staff. Purchases of materials and services made by the City will be consistent
with its revised IPM policies.
DA. When maintaining buildings, the City of Edina will use products with the lowest amount of
volatile organic compounds (VOCs), highest recycled content, and low or no urea
formaldehyde. Examples include paint, carpet, adhesives, furniture and casework.
D.5. The City of Edina will reduce or eliminate its use of products that contribute to the
formation of dioxins and furans. Examples are:
• finding safer alternatives to products that use polyvinyl chloride (PVC) such as, but not
limited to, office binders, furniture, flooring, and medical supplies, whenever
practicable,
• purchasing paper, paper products, and janitorial paper products that are unbleached or
that are processed without chlorine or chlorine derivatives, whenever practicable.
D.6. The City of Edina will reduce the use of disposable batteries by purchasing rechargeable
batteries for devices, such as cameras, remote control, tape recorders, telephone headsets,
and wireless keyboards and mice and other equipment when practicable.
D.7. Edina will purchase products and equipment with no lead or mercury whenever
practicable. For products that contain lead or mercury, Edina will give preference to those
products with lower quantities of these metals and to vendors with established lead and
mercury recovery programs. CFLs, which contain mercury, will be disposed of properly.
D.8. The City of Edina will specify that computers and monitors purchased or leased meet, at
a minimum, all EPEAT environmental criteria designated as "required" by the IEEE 1680
Standard for the Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer Products, whenever
practicable.
D.9. When replacing vehicles, the City of Edina will lease or purchase only the most fuel-
efficient models available that are suitable for each task and through carsharing and
carpooling, will minimize the number of vehicles purchased.
D.10. When replacing vehicles, the City of Edina will consider less -polluting alternatives to the
vehicles that are being replaced, such as compressed or liquefied natural gas, bio -based
fuels, hybrids, electric batteries, and other available technologies.
D.11. All City Departments and Agencies are prohibited from purchasing or acquiring
polystyrene foam disposable food service ware and where affordable will use biodegradable
or compostable disposable food service ware.
D.12. Compostable plastic products purchased will meet ASTM D6400-04 standards.
Biodegradable plastics used as coatings on paper and other compostable substrates will
meet ASTM D6868-03 standards.
D.13. The purchase of all pentachlorophenol, arsenic and creosote treated wood by the City
of Edina is prohibited.
D.14. The City will avoid purchasing products containing brominated flame retardants (BFRs),
bisphenol-A, and phthalates wherever practicable.
D.16. Edina will reduce the use of salt and other toxics in the cleaning and snow removal of
hard surfaces when feasible.
E. Energy and Water Savings
E.1. Where applicable, energy-efficient equipment will be purchased with the most up-to-date
energy efficiency functions. When necessary, the City will train equipment operators and
maintenance personnel in the proper enabling and use of energy efficient and sleep mode
functions on their equipment.
E.2. All appliances and products purchased by the City and for which the US EPA Energy Star
certification is available, will meet Energy Star certification. Typically, this would include
lighting, heating systems, exhaust fans, water heaters, computers, exit signs, and appliances
'such as refrigerators, dishwashers and microwave ovens. Purchased electronic products
meeting EPEAT standards are highly encouraged.
E.3. When Energy Star labels are not available, choose energy efficient products that are in
the upper 25% of energy efficiency as designated by the Federal Energy Management
Program.
EA The City will purchase water -saving products whenever practicable and for which the US
Water Sense certification is available. This includes, but is not limited to, high-performance
fixtures like toilets, waterless urinals, low -flow faucets and aerators, and upgraded irrigation
systems.
F. Green Building - Construction and Renovations
F.1. All building and renovations undertaken by the City will follow green building practices for
design, construction, and operation as outlined in this policy,
F.2. The City will purchase high efficiency lighting, along with cooling and heating equipment
whenever practicable.
G. Waste Minimization
G.1. Packaging that is reusable, recyclable or compostable is preferred, when suitable uses
and programs exist.
G.2. Vendors will be encouraged to take back and reuse pallets and packaging materials.
G.3. The City of Edina will dispose of electronic equipment, including but not limited to
computers, monitors, printers, and copiers, according to HENNEPIN COUNTY PROGRAM
or use disposal companies that will take back equipment for reuse or dispose them according
to certified environmentally safe recycling, whenever practicable.
H. Landscaping (NEEDS COMPARISON WITH PARK DEPT. POLICIES)
H.1. Workers and contractors providing landscaping services for the City will employ
sustainable landscape management practices whenever practicable, including:
• Using IPM, including minimal pesticide use,
• Fertilizing on an as needed basis, as indicated by a soil analysis. Slow release and/or
organic fertilizers are preferred,
• Scheduling irrigation based on weather (evapo-transpiration rates) whenever
practicable. Drip irrigation is preferred whenever practicable,
• Recycling plant debris by composting and/or maintaining a layer of mulch under all
trees, shrubs and groundcovers and in all open areas. Allowing leaf drop to become
part of the mulch layer in tree, shrub and groundcover areas is preferred.
H.2. Plants should be selected to minimize waste by choosing species that are appropriate to
the microclimate, species that can grow to their natural size in the space allotted them and
perennials rather than annuals for color. Native and drought -tolerant plants that require no or
minimal watering once established are preferred.
H.3. To the greatest extent practicable, Edina will not procure mulch products that originate
from virgin forest products. When practicable, Edina will give preference to mulch products
that are produced on-site or from regionally generated plant debris.
HA. To the greatest extent practicable, Edina will procure compost that is produced from 10
feedstock that includes at least 50%, by volume, regionally generated plant debris and/or food
waste and less than 0.5% by volume, physical contaminants. The compost will be processed
in to promote pathogen reduction and weed seed kill and minimize heavy metal
concentrations.
H.5. Hardscapes and landscape structures constructed of recycled content materials are
encouraged. Concrete substitutes are encouraged for walkways, such as rosin emulsion
paving or other porous materials.
I. Bio -Based Products
1.1. Vehicles fuels made from plant -based contents are encouraged whenever practicable and
unless they are determined to be less environmentally friendly than the alternative.
1.2. Paper, paper products and construction products made from non -wood, plant -based
contents and residues are encouraged whenever practicable.
J. Producer Responsibility
J.1. The City of Edina will, whenever practicable, favor products that are manufactured by
companies that take financial and/or physical responsibility for collecting, recycling, reusing,
or otherwise safely disposing of their products and packaging at the end of their useful life.
K. Renewable Energy and Greenhouse Gas Reductions
K.1. The City of Edina will commit to reducing energy use as much as feasible and the
remaining energy needs will be met by renewable energy sources as much as is practicable.
K.2. As it becomes practicable the City will attempt to reduce and record greenhouse gas
emissions.
L. Automatic Substitutions
L.1. The City will work with their office supply contractor to establish an automatic substitution
of environmentally and preferable alternatives for office supplies when practicable; that are
readily available, cost effective and can perform for the intended use.
2009 Report
Prepared for the Energy & Environment Commission,
City of Edina
Germana Paterlini
Climate Change Working Group: this group was dissolved at the August 2009 meeting. The mission
of the CCWG, tied to ICLEI milestones, is being carried forward by myself, Assistant City Manager
Heather Worthington and Matt Laue, the student intern.
The CCWG may be regrouped if there is sufficient interest from Edina residents with specific technical
expertise.
Carbon Tracking: data were collected for the year 2008. Once more we faced delays in obtaining all
the necessary data from the utilities, and fees (mandated by the State). ICLEI provided an upgraded
version of it software, CACP 2009. All previous data had to be reentered into the new tool because the
two versions are not compatible. Data were logged by the student intern. In addition, Matt took care on
"integration" issues, such as matching the meter numbers with the physical addresses. Matt, Heather
and I met three times to review the data and check discrepancies. Currently, we are verifying the
numbers from City Hall because of a large discrepancy between the 2007 and 2008 numbers for this
building.
Deficiencies of the CACP 2009 software are aggravating and slowing the analysis and tracking of
energy consumption on a yearlybasis. My recommendations for replacing this tool will be presented at
the December meeting.
Carbon Disclosure Project Pilot Report: I communicated and provided feedback to the CDP on draft
reports, until final publication in April 2009. This report is available on the CDP website
www.cdproject.net. The City of Edina published a press release on its website. The CDP publication is
a summary of the reports sent by the 17 cities. The original Edina report from, with the full
questionnaire data, was submitted to the CDP and presented at the City Council in November 2008.
The revised version was sent to City Council in January/March and to EEC members and the City. All
interested parties have received copies of both the Edina questionnaire and the combined CDP report.
Carbon Abatement Solutions: annual operations by the City result in about 25,000 metric tons of
CO2. Adopting a goal of 15% abatement by 2015, the City will need to reduce its emissions by about
750 metric tons per year until 2015. Rough examples are:
Replacing 5 Ford Taurus with 5 Prius: 28 metric tons/year (using EPA calculators, 15,000 miles/year)
Replacing 9 Chevy Impalas with 9 Prius: 31 metric tons/year
Enrolling in the Windsource program for 5% of consumption: about 750 metric tons/year
Replacing 500 4 -tube T12 with 4 -tube T8 lights: 600 metric tons/year
Details, time line and costs will be provided in 2010, or as per request, if the City would like to explore
specific projects.
Action: I initiated and/or worked to move forward the following activities:
• December '08 -January '09: Recommended non -idling PSA to the Communication Dept.
• February '09: as chair of the CCWG I sent a letter to the City Council in support of bike lanes
and sidewalks along the 70`x' St. Corridor.
• April '09: CDP report was published. Press release issued.
• May '09: presented the Milestone 1/CDP results at a focus group during the Sustainability
Roundtable at St. Patrick Church in Edina.
• July '09: wrote an article for the Autumn issue of About Town, "Edina takes first step toward
reducing greenhouse Gas Emissions". In it, I recommended the City reduces CO2 emissions by
750 metric tons per year for the next five years.
• August '09: drafted and moved forward letter to the City Council regarding Amendment to
Ordinance 850 2009.0004.09c on drive through facilities and presented letter at City Council
meeting.
• October '09- to date: drafted the "Environmental Purchasing Policy" for the City of Edina. The
document is at its second draft and it has been sent to the City Manager for feedback. A copy of
the policy is attached with this report.
• November '09 — to date: contacted Hara, a start-up company in California selling a new SaaS-
based tool for carbon management. The company has strong financial support from major
Silicon Valley investors and top clients such as Coca-Cola, News Corp, the cities of Palo Alto
and San Jose California. Hara demoed its software in a web conference with Heather and
myself. Their offerings are greatly superior to those offered by ICLEI.
Energy Savings Project:
Staff will be replacing the existing lights in the underground parking garage at City Hall with
more energy efficient fixtures and bulbs.
Details:
• Old fixture is a 250 watt metal halide
• New fixture is a 120 watt induction lighting
• We are replacing 32 lights, also adding motion sensing devices
• Cost of equipment is slightly less than $11,000.00 not including labor
• City will receive a $3,000 rebate on the purchase
• Retrofit will result in a savings of approximately $2,500 per year in energy costs
• Payback period is roughly 2.5 years
We are now looking at retrofit projects for our three parking ramps. This is a good example of a
project that takes advantage of rebate dollars, has a short payback period, and a good energy
savings.
Impervious Surface Recommendation
As I mentioned at the last meeting, I will be bringing forward policy issues related to the
mission of the EEC that present an opportunity for further study and a recommendation to
either the City Council or another city commission.
The Planning Commission is looking at an impervious surface regulation. This would be an ideal
topic for the EEC to weigh in on, given that it impacts surface water runoff, and water quality. I
would recommend that the EEC assign this as a study subject to the appropriate working group
(likely Water Quality), and ask for a policy recommendation in the New Year. In the meantime,
I will provide information on the Planning Commission's efforts in this area, so that
commissioners can get a sense of where the issue is at this point.
City Council work session, February 1, 2010
The EEC has been scheduled for a work session with the Council at 5:00 p.m. on February 1,
2010. This meeting is on a Monday, and not the usual Tuesday, due to the statewide precinct
caucuses. City meetings cannot be held on caucus dates. Please mark your calendar now. This
meeting will cover the EEC recommendation to further study the recycling and solid waste
preferences of the community through a survey or other instrument.
11 Page
Attendance Report
Per your request, I am also attaching the 2009 Attendance Report, which is current through
November. The City Council will receive this report at their January 5, 2010 meeting. If you see
a discrepancy, please let Jane know this evening so the record can be corrected.
October/November Commission Report:
The November meeting of the Park Board was cancelled.
The Planning Commission is continuing its work on the Zoning Ordinance; there are no new
items to report at this time.
The Transportation Commission discussed the meetings currently underway to select a route
for the Southwest LRT. They also reviewed the transportation report for 4820 W. 77th St., and
the parking easement agreement with Burgundy Place for spillover parking, and recommended
that the staff recommendation be accepted. They also discussed the revision of Route 6 for
Metro Transit, the 2010-14 CIP, and Promenade Improvements and a pedestrian survey.
GreenStep Cities Update:
I met with Kristina Smitten, the ULI coordinator for this effort several weeks ago. She is drafting
an agreement for the EEC to review in January which will outline the city and LILI's
responsibilities respectively. I will have the draft agreement in your January packet for review
prior to the meeting. The program is planned to take place between January and June of 2010.
Since the EEC and the City Council have committed to this project, a significant portion of EEC
and staff time will go into making it a success. As such, the draft agreement will ask the EEC to
devote the majority of its time and resources to the effort.
ICLEI Report:
I am working on a rough draft of the Milestone One Report. My goal is to have the draft to
Commissioner Paterlini next week; then I would like to have this on the January agenda for your
review. Again, this will be part of your packet for January.
21 Page
Wood Smoke...
The Other Secondhand
Smoke!
• Wood smoke contains fine soot particulates that contribute to major health problems,
such as asthma attacks, heart disease, birth defects, and even SIDS. 1,2
• Wood smoke is far more concentrated than cigarette smoke; it travels much farther;
and it contains many of the same cancer-causing chemicals as in cigarette smoke. 1,2
• Wood smoke reduces cloud cover, thereby contributing to global warming.'
"Particulate pollution is the most important contaminant in our air. We know that
when particle levels go up, people die.i4
Be good to your neighbors and good to the planet!
Citations:
1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. How Smoke from Fires Can Affect Your Health. 2007.
2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Health Effects of Fine Particles and Smoke. 2007
3. Science News. NASA research. Dr. Ilan Koren. July 2006.
4. Joel Schwartz, Ph.D. Harvard School of Public Health, E Magazine. Sept/Oct. 2002.
This message has been brought to you by Take Back the Air, www.takebacktheair.com.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION
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Christianson, Steve
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Hanson, Jeannie
Iyer, Surya
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Latham, Dianne
2/1/2012
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Lee, Hailey
Paterlini, Germana
student
2/l/201 0
2/1/2010
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Platteter, Michael
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Sierks, Bill
2/1/2010
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[Risser, Julie
2/1/2010
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Xompson,
Paul
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