HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 Edina Green Step City
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Katherine Lofrano, Communications Intern
Phone 952-833-9537 • Fax 952-826-0389 • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Edina Re-Certified as a Level Three GreenStep City
Edina, Minn., July 18, 2013 – The City of Edina is achieving sustainability by using best practices for cost
savings, energy use reduction and innovation. For the second consecutive year, Edina has been certified as a
Level Three GreenStep City by the League of Minnesota Cities.
The City of Edina voluntarily stepped up to the Minnesota GreenStep Cities challenge to achieve quality-of-life
goals in 2011.
The GreenStep program is based upon a set of best practices. The actions cities must complete to accomplish
the best practices have been tailored to fit all Minnesota cities and focus on cost savings and reducing the use
of energy. Building and Lighting, Land Use, Environmental Management and Economic and Community
Development are the five different categories that are included in the 28 best practices. By taking the initiative
to accomplish the 28 best practices, cities use their resources efficiently, provide healthier environments for
all and help residents become more active in their communities.
Those who accomplish an initial set of best practices -- some which are required and others from a list of
options -- are recognized as a Minnesota GreenStep Cities by the League of Minnesota Cities. Edina became
certified as a Greenstep City June 10, 2011. Since then, Edina has continued to follow the GreenStep City
practices and again received the honor of being re-certified by Betsy Hodges, President of League of
Minnesota Cities as a GreenStep City, at the Step Three level. The third step in the GreenStep program is the
highest level of certification currently available.
Only a few cities have had the honor of reaching this level. To be included into the step three category, Edina
needed to complete 28 items. Edina completed 37. The environment and sustainability is important to
residents, and the City government should reflect those values, said Scott Neal, City Manager.
Ross Bintner, Environmental Engineer for the City of Edina, said that the GreenStep Program “is a great tool
for networking with other cities to see who is doing great work out there.”
GreenStep is continuing to work on expanding its program beyond the three steps they already have, focusing
on measurement and issues with more depth to them. GreenStep will continue to have a large effect on many
cities, keeping them healthy and efficient.
For more information, visit the GreenStep website at http://greenstep.pca.state.mn.us/.
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