HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch EEC Report to the Community
Contact: Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications & Marketing Director
Phone 952-833-9520 • Fax 952-826-0390 • Web www.CityofEdina.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Energy & Environment Commission to host ‘Report to the
Community’ in March
Edina, Minn., March 5, 2010 –Edina’s Energy & Environment Commission will host a “Report to
the Community” later this month to share updates on the GreenStep Demonstration Cities project,
Edina Public Schools’ “Go Green” Committee and accounts of two commissioners’ personal travels
to advance green initiatives.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Urban Land Institute Minnesota selected five
communities in 2009 to be GreenStep Demonstration Cities. As a member of this pilot program,
Edina has been asked to implement specific “best practices” that focus on environmental sustainability,
greenhouse gas emission reduction and energy efficiency. The program will be outlined at the March
23 meeting, to begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 4801 W. 50th St.
At the meeting, Commissioners Paul Thompson and Julie Risser will also talk about their travels
abroad and suggest ways local action can spur world change. In December, Thompson attended the
U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP 15) in Copenhagen, Denmark, to lobby for a binding,
ambitious and fair global climate treaty. Last year, Risser visited Papua, Indonesia, where she
experienced sustainable living in which all of her water came from rain barrels and electricity was only
available during the day from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. She spent time with members of Asmat culture whose
subsistence way of living is threatened by logging as well as climate change.
Eric Burfiend, biology teacher at Edina High School, will highlight the work of Edina Public Schools’
“Go Green” Committee with all nine schools recycling organics and many moving toward exclusive
use of non-toxic cleaning agents.
The meeting is free and open to the public. After a 90-minute presentation, a reception will be held in
the lobby of City Hall where Commissioners will meet with members of the public and answer
questions.
For more information on the Report to the Community, visit www.CityofEdina.com or contact
Assistant City Manager Heather Worthington, staff liaison to the advisory group, at 952-826-0415 or
hworthington@ci.edina.mn.us.
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