For more information, including the Sierra Club's Guide to Local Global Warming Solutions, and to get involved in a Cool Cities campaign in your city, go to http://www.coolcities.us/ .
How Local Governments Are Using Smart Energy Solutions To Save Taxpayer Dollars And Curb Global Warming
Green Vehicle Solutions
Making our cars, trucks, and SUVs go farther on a gallon of gas is the biggest single step we can take to saving money at the gas pump, cutting America's dependence on oil, and curbing global warming. Many cities are cutting their global warming emissions by purchasing gas-electric hybrid cars and SUVs for their city vehicle fleet. By using less gasoline, hybrid vehicles release a fraction of the global warming and air pollution emitted by conventional vehicles while saving money at the gas pump.
When it comes to greening city fleets, cleaner cars aren't the only way to earn "cool cash". For example, by placing police units on bicycles instead of driving cars, both Brookline, MA and Keene, NH are slashing costs and cutting pollution.
Renewable Energy Solutions
Cities around the country are investing in a clean and renewable power like solar and wind energy to lower global warming emissions and create a reliable source of safe, homegrown electricity. Renewable power, combined with energy efficient buildings and appliances, is an essential and cost-effective solution for replacing electricity from dirty, fossil fuel power plants.
In Iowa, two wind turbines at Spirit Lake Elementary School are saving $120,000 and reducing global warming pollution by over 2100 tons every year. The first wind turbine installed by the city of Hull, MA has been so successful--$128,000 cost savings/year--that the city has put up a second one.
Energy Efficiency Solutions
Energy Efficiency--using less energy through better technology--is the most cost-effective and fastest way to meet our energy needs. Numerous cities are realizing impressive returns from their investment in high-tech interior and street lighting, energy-efficient building standards and retrofit, and modernizing heating, cooling and other systems.
By replacing outmoded light bulbs in street traffic lights with highly efficient LED bulbs, U.S. cities report over $10.4 million savings every year. This simple solution is working for big cities like Denver ($218,000/year savings), Kansas City ($95,000/year), and Salt Lake City ($50,000/year) as well as for smaller cities such as Keane, NH ($3,854/year). Passaic, NJ reduced their annual energy bill by $65,000 by changing the light bulbs at just 40 intersections.
Installing efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs in interior lighting in 60 municipally-owned buildings is saving Palo Alto, CA $117,625 each year. The small town of Saco, ME has projected a $15,000 annual energy savings from a proposed lighting upgrade in all of their school and municipal buildings.
How Local Governments Are Using Smart Energy Solutions To Save Taxpayer Dollars And Curb Global Warming
Green Vehicle Solutions
Making our cars, trucks, and SUVs go farther on a gallon of gas is the biggest single step we can take to saving money at the gas pump, cutting America's dependence on oil, and curbing global warming. Many cities are cutting their global warming emissions by purchasing gas-electric hybrid cars and SUVs for their city vehicle fleet. By using less gasoline, hybrid vehicles release a fraction of the global warming and air pollution emitted by conventional vehicles while saving money at the gas pump.
When it comes to greening city fleets, cleaner cars aren't the only way to earn "cool cash". For example, by placing police units on bicycles instead of driving cars, both Brookline, MA and Keene, NH are slashing costs and cutting pollution.
Renewable Energy Solutions
Cities around the country are investing in a clean and renewable power like solar and wind energy to lower global warming emissions and create a reliable source of safe, homegrown electricity. Renewable power, combined with energy efficient buildings and appliances, is an essential and cost-effective solution for replacing electricity from dirty, fossil fuel power plants.
In Iowa, two wind turbines at Spirit Lake Elementary School are saving $120,000 and reducing global warming pollution by over 2100 tons every year. The first wind turbine installed by the city of Hull, MA has been so successful--$128,000 cost savings/year--that the city has put up a second one.
Energy Efficiency Solutions
Energy Efficiency--using less energy through better technology--is the most cost-effective and fastest way to meet our energy needs. Numerous cities are realizing impressive returns from their investment in high-tech interior and street lighting, energy-efficient building standards and retrofit, and modernizing heating, cooling and other systems.
By replacing outmoded light bulbs in street traffic lights with highly efficient LED bulbs, U.S. cities report over $10.4 million savings every year. This simple solution is working for big cities like Denver ($218,000/year savings), Kansas City ($95,000/year), and Salt Lake City ($50,000/year) as well as for smaller cities such as Keane, NH ($3,854/year). Passaic, NJ reduced their annual energy bill by $65,000 by changing the light bulbs at just 40 intersections.
Installing efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs in interior lighting in 60 municipally-owned buildings is saving Palo Alto, CA $117,625 each year. The small town of Saco, ME has projected a $15,000 annual energy savings from a proposed lighting upgrade in all of their school and municipal buildings.