Yesterday SLCgreen attended the 6th Annual Sorenson CommUNITY Fair. It was a great event and we had a lot of fun chatting with people about all things green in SLC! Thanks to SLCgreen interns Kara and Miya for a job well done!
You’re Invited: U Community Solar Workshop
If you are a homeowner interested in going solar, be sure to attend a U Community Solar workshop! U Community Solar will bring you access to solar savings (through a volume discount) and a community network to guide you through a streamlined solar installation process.
U Community Solar Workshop!
Location:
Gould Auditorium
J. Willard Mariott Library
295 S 1500 E
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
Date & Time:
Thursday, June 5th
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
This workshop will guide you through the process of installing solar with U Community Solar. Learn how U Community Solar is offering solar at a significantly reduced upfront cost and ask any questions you may have about solar and your home. If you are a homeowner interested in going solar, this is your chance to learn everything you need to know about U Community Solar!
Questions? Contact solar@utahcleanenergy or 801-363-4046 ext. 106.
Stop by the Sorenson CommUNITY Fair Tonight!
Join the Sorenson Unity Center for the 6th Annual CommUNITY Fair. Find out what your community has to offer with local vendors, kid’s activities, and live entertainment for the whole family.
The fair features a FREE bounce house, sumo suits, obstacle course, games, face painting, and much more. Remember to enter our raffle to win some great prizes. Get some great food from local food vendors, FREE Creamies and first 100 FREE food vouchers while supplies last.
And while you’re there, be sure to stop by the SLCgreen booth to say “hello!” and pick up your copy of our new guide to your curbside services!
6th Annual Sorenson CommUNITY Fair
Thursday, May 29th from 5 – 8 p.m.
Sorenson Unity Center (1383 South 900 West)
Project Skyline Launches in Salt Lake City
Overlooking the city from the rooftop terrace of the downtown library, business leaders, clean air advocates, and healthcare professionals joined Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to announce the launch of Project Skyline. The initiative is designed to impact air quality by cutting energy waste. Administrator McCarthy’s presence served to underscore EPA’s nationwide leadership in providing key energy management tools and resources through the Energy Star program.
Project Skyline is a cornerstone initiative of Sustainable Salt Lake – Plan 2015, the Mayor’s blueprint to improve air quality, boost economic development and improve livability in Salt Lake City. As part of the initiative, Mayor Becker challenged building owners, tenants, universities, schools, hotels, and hospitals across the city to proactively meet – and – exceed the air quality and energy-saving targets of Sustainable Salt Lake – Plan 2015 by joining theMayor’s Skyline Challenge.
The event kicked off with remarks from Mayor Becker who stressed the themes laid out in his State of the City address earlier this year, including the direct impact of air quality on the physical and economic health of the city. The Mayor also recognized the Salt Lake City businesses and institutions that have already joined the Challenge and emphasized his commitment to lead by example by cutting energy waste in municipal operations.
Administrator McCarthy followed Mayor Becker with a powerful message about energy efficiency and the importance of working together to improve the health of American families. “Energy efficiency is one of the most cost-effective opportunities we have to make our businesses more competitive, improve air quality, and save money. And we know that healthy communities attract investment, businesses, and more jobs. Environmental health promotes economic health,” said Administrator McCarthy.
President and CEO of Rocky Mountain Power Rich Walje highlighted the enormous opportunity for businesses to save money by maximizing energy efficiency opportunities and taking advantage of the utility’s Wattsmart incentive program. “The cleanest and cheapest energy is the energy we don’t use. Working together, we can significantly reduce energy waste and make a positive difference in our community,” said Walje.
Remarks by President and CEO of Economic Development Corporation Utah Jeff Edwards followed by echoing Mayor Becker’s message, calling attention to the top reason businesses choose not to come to Utah— poor air quality. “Air quality is becoming a growing concern across the nation, and companies want to know what Utah is doing to address this issue,” said Edwards. “If we want to continue to attract quality growth to Utah, we must lead by example. I applaud Mayor Becker’s efforts to do just that and encourage building owners to step forward and participate. Project Skyline will set the example for other cities across the country.”
University of Utah Health Care CEO Dr. Vivian Lee wrapped up the event, bringing the perspective of a major healthcare provider and research institution. Dr. Lee stressed how significant the local air quality issues are to the health of Salt Lake City’s residents.
Leadership from partner businesses, organizations, and the community stood alongside Mayor Becker and Administrator McCarthy during the launch to show their support for the initiative:
President and CEO Questar Gas Ron Jibson, Senior Managing Director CBRE Mark Bouchard, Managing Director Goldman Sachs Bruce Larson, Senior Vice President and CSO Intermountain Healthcare Greg Poulson, Director of Engineering Marriott International Charles Cooley, Salt Lake Community College President Dr. Deneece Huftalin, Chief Pulmonary Division and Director Program for Air, Health, and Society Dr. Robert Paine, President BOMA Utah Lorrie Ostlind, Executive Director Utah Clean Energy Sarah Wright, Board President USGBC Utah Whitney Ward, Hotel Monaco General Manager Daryn White, New Mark Grubb Acres Vice President Justin Farnsworth, Salt Lake Chamber Vice President of Business and Community Relations Ryan Evans, UCAIR Executive Director Ted Wilson, Salt Lake City School District Energy Manager Greg Libecci, Salt Lake City Fire Department Captain Rick Stratton, and Breathe Utah Board President Dr. Deborah Sigman.
The Mayor’s Skyline Challenge is created through a partnership between Salt Lake City, Questar Gas, Rocky Mountain Power, BOMA Utah, USGBC Utah, and Utah Clean Energy.
For more information or to join the Challenge, visit http://www.slcgov.com/projectskyline.
Media Stories
- EPA official lauds new Salt Lake City program — Associated Press (via SFGate.com)
- EPA chief, Salt Lake City mayor challenge businesses to cut energy use — The Salt Lake Tribune
- EPA Official Helps Salt Lake City Launch Energy Initiative — KUER News
- EPA Official Lauds New Salt Lake City Program — KUTV 2News
Watch the Press Conference
Salt Lake City Expands EV Infrastructure
Today Mayor Ralph Becker joined representatives from the Utah Office of Energy Development (OED) and the Utah Clean Air Partnership (UCAIR) to announce new Salt Lake City infrastructure that supports electric vehicles (EVs) and air quality goals in the region.
“Supporting electric vehicles is another key element of our plan to improve air quality along the Wasatch Front,” said Mayor Becker. “Another critical ingredient is collaboration. These new EV charging stations represent how sharing resources among government agencies, and corporate partners like Nissan, can create a positive outcome for all.”
Salt Lake City’s two new fast-charge stations, donated by Nissan to OED, are among the first of their kind in Utah. OED provided the stations to the City, along with one previously granted to Salt Lake County, as part of an inter-local agreement signed in early 2014. OED and UCAIR then partnered to cover the cost of installing the units. The 480-volt stations can provide a significant charge to the typical electric vehicle in less than an hour.
“The Office of Energy Development was pleased to partner with the City, UCAIR and Nissan on this exciting project,” said Cody Stewart, Energy Advisor to Governor Gary R. Herbert. “It’s important to note that these new charging stations are just one aspect of how electric vehicles are receiving a boost in Utah. Bills passed during the 2014 legislative session enhanced tax credits for EVs, bolstered the state’s fleet of cleaner vehicles and allowed organizations to sell electricity from EV charging stations.” These changes resulted in Utah improving its grade from a B- to a B+ in the 2014 EV Report Card (details here).
In addition to the new fast-charge stations, the City has upgraded its existing public charging infrastructure. Low-voltage EV charging stations were originally added at five locations in 2011 and these stations were recently upgraded to higher voltage units (locations in link below). These new Level 2 stations will allow users to charge their vehicles in about a third of the time. As with the original low voltage stations, these upgraded Level 2 units will remain free for public use.
Parking for EV users will be free, for up to two hours, at all charging stations. However, the City Council is expected to review a proposed fee schedule for electricity at the two fast-charge locations. Fees would help cover costs for monitoring and maintaining the stations, in addition to electricity charges.
More information on the City’s new fast-charge and enhanced Level 2 charging stations can be found at SLCgov.com.
Links to media stories:
- Salt Lake City unveils new fast-charge stations for electric vehicles – Salt Lake Tribune
- Salt Lake City unveils electric car charging stations – Deseret News
- SLC Unveils New Quick-Charge Stations For Electric Vehicles – City Weekly
- SLC officials announce electric car charging stations – FOX 13
Map of charging stations located in Salt Lake City.
It’s Time to “Get into the River!” — Festival on May 31
Come celebrate the Jordan River on Saturday, May 31st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a great opportunity to learn about the animals and habitats supported by the river and how communities and individuals are enjoying it each and every day.
Both educational and recreational demonstrations during the festivities.
Bring your bikes, strollers or walking shoes and experience the Jordan River Parkway!
What: Get into the River Festival
When: Saturday, May 31st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Jordan Park (900 West 1000 South)
More Information: GetintotheRiver.org.
We Love Honey Bees!
Join Slow Food Utah for the 4th Annual Honey Bee Festival in Salt Lake City. All are welcome to enjoy this free event.
What: Honey Bee Festival
Where: Sorenson Unity Center (1383 South 900 West)
When: Saturday, June 7th from 1-5 p.m.
Why: Honeybees are critical pollinators for a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, and nuts in our food supply. In fact, it is estimated that one in three bites of food is dependent on bees in some way. Honeybees of course also directly produce a remarkable food, honey.
So come on down to enjoy crafts and games for kids, local honey and food tastings, a live bee demo and backyard bee-keeping workshops!
More information is available at SlowFoodUtah.org.
Living Traditions Returns this Weekend
Have you ever wanted to travel around the world?
The Living Traditions Festival returns to Library Square this weekend to celebrate the vibrant and diverse culture we embrace right here in Salt Lake City!
The festival features local folk and ethnic arts. With three stages of entertainment, from Scandinavian dancing to Native American traditional music, prepare to be dazzled from the moment you enter. There will also be food tents with a wide spectrum of delicious delights, and tents filled with trinkets and goodies that you just won’t resist.
This year there are two featured artists. Red Baraat will be playing on the North Stage at 8:30 p.m. on Friday (May 16) and Quetzal will also be performing on the North Stage at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday (May 18).
The SLCgreen crew recommends taking alternative transportation to the festival. Library Square can be accessed by TRAX from either the Library Station (Red Line) or Courthouse (Blue and Green Line) Station. The Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective is offering a complimentary bike valet service at the northeast entrance of the festival grounds. And if you must drive, carpool with some friends so you can all enjoy the festivities!
Full schedule:
Friday, May 16: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday, May 17: Noon to 10 p.m.
Sunday, May 18: Noon to 7 p.m.
More details are available on the Living Traditions Festival website.
SLCgreen, Dr. Mann & HEAL Utah Host Climate Event
On Wednesday, Dr. Michael Mann – one of the world’s most highly respected climate change scientists – gathered with SLCgreen program director Debbie Lyons, Salt Lake City water resources manager Laura Briefer, BYU geologist Barry Brickmore, University of Utah atmospheric scientist Court Strong and HEAL Utah policy director Matt Pacenza to call for immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Mann is the scholar behind the striking “hockey stick” graph demonstrating a sharp post-industrial increase in temperature.
The leaders highlighted a trio of definitive recent reports – from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the National Academy of Sciences and the National Climate Assessment – demonstrating that climate change is already happening, and that in coming decades its effects will intensify.
The National Climate Assessment – released just last week – warns that Utah will face heightened drought, forest fires, protracted high temperatures, decreased stream flows and earlier snowmelt.
FruitShare Volunteers Needed this Saturday!
SLC FruitShare helps to minimize food waste, promote local food production, and enhance the community’s knowledge of fruit trees by engaging local fruit tree owners.
Throughout the year, fruit trees are pruned, thinned and the fruit is then picked and donated to non-profits working on sustainable food and hunger issues (Utahns Against Hunger and Green Urban Lunchbox).
We are in great need for volunteers this Saturday! SLCgreen will hold a FruitShare Event on May 17th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Volunteer teams will help thin fruit on apricot trees in the Sugar House and East Bench neighborhoods. Thinning fruit will help the trees grow strong, healthy fruit throughout the rest of the season and allow us to come back later this year and pick a greater yield.
No experience is necessary – training will be done with volunteers on site.
To sign up, please contact Lauren Aguilar.