Tag Archives: salt lake city

Project Skyline: September Recap

Congratulations to Mayor’s Skyline Challenge participant, University of Utah

Project Skyline congratulates the University of Utah and Energy Manager Jeff Wrigley for the national recognition they received for their commitment to energy efficiency from the U.S. Department of Energy. “The University’s efforts showcase strategies that can be replicated at similar buildings, institutions and facilities across America,” said Dave Danielson, Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Read the full press release here.

September News

Project Skyline was pleased to be invited by Challenge Partner BOMA Utah to their September 4^th lunch and learn.

ENERGY STAR introduced and demonstrated the core functionality of the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool. Attendees were able to learn more about the tool and engage in a more in depth discussion with ENERGY STAR leadership. Look out for information on future BOMA Utah educational events. Check out the webinar here.

Challenge partner USGBC Utah hosted a Project Skyline workshop on Efficiency Project Planning & Implementation Strategies on September 12^th.

On Friday September 12th, Project Skyline hosted its first Mayor’s Skyline Challenge workshop with USGBC Utah. This workshop included a great line up of speakers that each offered their own expertise in the world of building energy efficiency, with plenty of opportunities to engage with the audience and lead the discussion.

Nexant offered an overview the energy efficiency project process, ETC Group presented their Top 10 energy efficiency strategies for existing buildings, and the University of Utah’s energy manager Jeff Wrigley presented a case study on efficiency improvements made to the Eccles Institute of Human Genetics.

This was an excellent start to the workshop series, and Mayor’s Skyline Challenge participants can expect future installments to offer just as much insight and engagement. Thanks again to USGBC Utah, Nexant, ETC Group and the University of Utah Facilities Management for sharing your expertise and forwarding building energy efficiency in the Salt Lake City community.

Project Skyline gets highlighted at national Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) annual meeting.

Salt Lake City Sustainability Director Vicki Bennett and Sustainability Program Manager Tyler Poulson were invited to the national USDN meeting to discuss how local governments can help to scale up energy efficiency and net zero energy buildings.

Please join us in welcoming our newest Challenge participant, Architectural Nexus. See their profile here.

Upcoming webinars hosted by national experts

September 24, 11:00-12:30 PM (MDT) – Portfolio Manager 201
Continue to learn about EPA’s new ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool, with a deeper dive into more advanced functionalities such as managing and tracking changes to your property uses over time, using spreadsheet templates to update property data, setting goals and targets to plan energy improvements for properties, generating and using custom reports, and using the Sustainable Buildings Checklist. Register

September 25, 2:00-3:30 PM (MDT) – Community-Based Social Marketing
This webinar will describe community-based social marketing as a behavior-based approach for developing energy-efficiency programs. The webinar will begin with an overview of the five steps involved in developing and delivering a community-based social marketing program, including methods for prioritizing and selecting target behaviors, identifying barriers and benefits, leveraging behavior change tools, pilot testing, and evaluation. Each presentation will also cover case studies of scalable programs that have successfully applied the community-based social marketing model or its components to promote energy-efficiency and conservation behaviors. Register

Upcoming Project Skyline educational events

October: Creating an Energy Action Plan hosted by Challenge partner ENERGY STAR

November: Commissioning and Retro-commissioning hosted by Challenge partner Rocky Mountain Power

Stay tuned for more information!

Thank you to the Challenge participants who have recently submitted 2013 baseline data. If you haven’t submitted the 2013 baseline data for your participating buildings yet, please visit this link to get started!

Hive Pass Pilot Program Moves from Study to Evaluation Phase

Monday, September 29, 2014

The Hive Pass pilot program, an innovative and experimental transit pass idea–the first of its kind in the country–will conclude the initial phase of study and sales on Tuesday, Sept. 30 and move into an analysis and evaluation period. The Hive Pass allowed Salt Lake City residents to purchase an annual transit pass at a significant discount.

Hive Passes will remain on sale through Tuesday at three locations in Salt Lake City. Visit http://www.ridewithhive.com for details. Residency verification is required.

Mayor Becker originally proposed this unique idea to UTA as part of his Administration’s ongoing work to mitigate air quality issues by addressing the largest contributor to dirty air–vehicle emissions. The program also sought to provide better access specifically for lower income residents by making a monthly payment plan available and by initiating a voucher program to invite broader participation from a variety of organizations. Some 100 passes were distributed to residents in need through the voucher program.

The pilot program was also geared to evaluate if, by making transit more equitable, accessible and convenient, rider habits could be positively impacted. According to the results of a survey administered to residents who purchased Hive passes, significant changes occurred. Survey results show that:

Among those who responded to the survey, over 90 percent of Hive Pass users were satisfied with their purchase
Among respondents, 44 percent said they now use transit every day and only 23 percent had used transit every day before the Hive Pass
A similar increase was seen among residents who went from being infrequent users to regular users
Thirty-seven percent said they began using public transportation because of the Hive Pass

A complete copy of the survey results can be found here: http://www.ridewithhive.com/survey.pdf

Per the terms of the agreement between the City and UTA, the two agencies will now enter into an evaluation period in which both entities will work together to process all of the information collected during the pilot, evaluate the pilot and make recommendations about how to apply what’s been learned from the experiment going forward. While regular Hive Passes will not be available during this evaluation, the voucher program will continue.

Grow your own community garden!

Attend an open house and learn how you can start a community garden in your neighborhood!

Open houses are scheduled at the Salt Lake City & County Building (451 S State Street) on the first floor on:

Salt Lake City recognizes the important role community vegetable gardens play in supporting our local food system, and has made it a goal to support gardens.

In order to help facilitate the development of new gardens, the City has identified City-owned or managed parcels located on properties with access to a waterline and other conditions conducive to creating a successful and sustainable community garden.

Salt Lake City works directly with Wasatch Community Gardens and community members to develop gardens within City limits.

Visit SLCgreen.com for more information, and to download a community garden application.

We’ll see you there!

Register for the USGBC-Utah 2014 Sustainability Summit

Sustainable Building Summit: An Atmosphere of Change
Friday, October 3
The Leonardo (209 E 500 S)

This year’s Sustainability Summit includes world class keynote speakers who will be joined by local and national presenters. Speakers will share the best of today’s transformational sustainability, along with innovation and disruption for the future.

Keynote speakers are Elizabeth Craig, US EPA Director of Climate Protection Partnerships, and Mitch Joachim, architect and visionary. They will be joined by a bevy of innovative national and local sustainability speakers, including Salt Lake City Green’s own Tyler Poulson.

USGBC-Utah is extremely honored to be able to present Mayor Becker with the 2014 Craig Forster Lifetime Achievement Award for Sustainability.

Over 30 years ago, Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker was taken by the same allure that brought many residents to Utah’s Capital City, drawn by the area’s unique mix of geo-graphic beauty, metropolitan energy and year-round recreational opportunities.

Ralph earned two graduate degrees at his new home’s University of Utah – a Master’s in Planning and a JD – after completing undergraduate work at the University of Pennsylvania in 1973. He served as the Utah State Planning Coordinator under Governor Scott Matheson and then went on to launch his own Salt Lake City-based consulting firm, Bear West, specializing in community planning, environmental assessment, public lands use and public involvement before acting on his long-held desire to serve the public.

Elected to the Utah State Legislature in 1996, Ralph was a member of the House of Representatives for 11 years and battled for the issues most important to his Avenues constituents. He served in legislative leadership positions for most of that tenure, including five years as House Minority Leader.

In 2008, Ralph brought this considerable body of education, experience and engagement with local issues to his new office of Mayor of Salt Lake City.

In his first term, Mayor Becker has greatly expanded transportation options for the City’s residents and visitors, with a special focus on public transit, trails and bikeways. He also championed the state’s first municipal protections in the areas of employment and housing for the City’s LGBT community – an effort that has since been replicated by Salt Lake County and over a dozen local governments throughout Utah. Under Mayor Becker’s leadership, City government has become much more transparent, and new opportunities have been created for residents to engage and participate in the decision making process.

Mayor Becker is a leader who has made, and will continue to make, collaboration and partnerships an essential element in his efforts to see Salt Lake City as an even more vibrant, livable and sustainable community for its current residents and into the future.

Ralph is an avid outdoorsman who, when he is away from work, can be found backcountry skiing, river running or backpacking. He is also the proud father of two sons and a 19-year-old granddaughter.

I know there are many people who will want to see the Mayor receive his award, and they will also be eager to hear him give his lunchtime presentation on
his lifetime commitment to the natural environment, community sustainability and his service on President Obama’s State, Local and Tribal Task Force on Climate Change and Resiliency.

Register for the 2014 Sustainability Summit
Friday, October 3
The Leonardo (209 E 500 S)

Agenda

This Evening: The Future of our Wasatch Canyons

You’re invited to explore proposed development plans for the Wasatch Canyons at a special event this evening. Learn about the Mountain Accord and the future of our canyons for recreation, transportation, economy and environment.

Panelists include Laura Briefer, Water Resources Manager for Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities, Natalie Gochnour, Associate Dean, David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah, Will McCarvill, President, Wasatch Mountain Club, Jon Nepstad, Principal, Fehr & Peers, Transportation Lead for Mountain Accord and David Whittekiend, Forest Supervisor for the Uinta-Cache-Wasatch National Forest.

Mountain Accord Discussion
Thursday, September 18
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Tessman Auditorium, Main Library (210 E 400 S)

The evening is hosted by The League of Women Voters of Salt Lake.

Utah Clean Air Fair this Saturday, Sept 20

The Utah Clean Air Fair (UCAF) is an opportunity to amplify community engagement and empowerment on clean air issues in a fun and educational atmosphere for the whole family.

Last year’s Clean Air Fair brought out 1,000 enthusiastic Utahns. And with winter right around the corner, this is the perfect opportunity to discover what you can do to improve our local air quality.

There will be local vendors, information booths, and live music. SLCgreen will be there, so stop by to say “hello!” and explore what we’re doing to reduce our impact.

Bring your family and friends, take part in your community, leave inspired and ready for a breath of fresh air!

Where:
Library Square
200 E. 400 S.

When:
Saturday, September 20
Noon – 5 p.m.

Cost:
Free!

People’s Climate March in Salt Lake City

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/104429713]

This Sunday, Utahns will gather at the City & County Building to show their support for local and global action on climate change. The event kicks off at noon.

The rally is part of a larger movement to spur meaningful action on climate change. The People’s Climate March will take place in New York City as world leaders gather for a historic summit on climate change. Their call to action is simple:

Together, we’ll take to the streets to demand the world we know is within our reach: a world with an economy that works for people and the planet. A world safe from the ravages of climate change. A world with good jobs, clean air, and healthy communities for everyone.

People’s Climate March: Salt Lake City
Sunday, September 21, 2014
12:00 p.m. to 2 p.m.
City & County Building (451 S. State Street)

More information is available at http://peoplesclimatemarch.org.

Leonardo After Hours Presents: Is Your Food Killing You?

Yesterday The Leonardo, in partnership with The Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative (USTAR), announced the next edition of Leonardo After Hours focusing on making healthy, better informed food choices.

Is Your Food Killing You: Navigating a Full Crop of What Food is Healthy, Toxic and Everything in Between features a dialogue between experts in various fields of nutrition, representatives from the food industry and members of our community. With so many diets, recommendations on how to eat, what we eat, how and where food is grown and nutrition fads, it’s hard to distinguish the food news from food fat. The goal of this discussion is to help us truly understand what is healthy vs. what is not.

Come prepared with your questions and comments.

Where:
The Leonardo
209 East 500 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Date:
Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Time:
6:00-7:30 p.m.

Cost:
FREE!

Appetizers and drinks are available for purchase.

Partners:
The Utah Science Technology and Research initiative (USTAR) is a long-term, state-funded investment to strengthen Utah’s “knowledge economy” and generate high-paying jobs. Funded in March 2006 by the State Legislature, USTAR is based on three program areas. The first area involves funding for strategic investments at the University of Utah and Utah State University to recruit world-class researchers. The second area is to build state-of-the-art interdisciplinary facilities at these institutions for the innovation teams. The third program area involves teams that work with companies and entrepreneurs across the State to promote science, innovation, and commercialization activities. For more information, follow USTAR on Twitter.

Located in the heart of Salt Lake City at the Library Square TRAX stop, The Leonardo is a first-of-a-kind museum connecting science, technology and creativity. Here, visitors of all ages can exercise their curiosity, their creativity and experience unique, interactive exhibits and an ongoing calendar of public programs, workshops and classes. For more information about The Leonardo visit: www.theleonardo.org.

Celebrate the S-Line Greenway Grand Opening on Sept. 19

You’re invited to the grand opening of the new S-Line Greenway in Salt Lake City!

Grand Opening: Friday, September 19th

Come celebrate the opening of Salt Lake City’s newest public space. The S-Line Greenway is a mile-long linear park running parallel to the streetcar line from 500 East to McClelland Street. The greenway features public art, plazas and a multi-modal segment of Parley’s Trail.

11:30 a.m. Grand Opening Press Conference (S-Line at 600 East)
Join Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker as he marks the official completion of the Greenway and the S-Line’s Parley’s Trail connection. He will be joined by South Salt Lake City Mayor Cherie Wood, County Mayor Ben McAdams and other project partners. Refreshments will be provided.

5:30 & 7:30 p.m. S-Line Community Celebration
Come celebrate the Greenway and it’s new Parley’s Trail connection with the corridor’s artists, designers and community partners. This free event will feature food, art and musical performances along the corridor.

We’ll see you there!

City Partners with Local Yoga School to Offer Free Community Classes

Photo Credit: Yoga News via Flickr

Mayor Ralph Becker is pleased to announce the City’s Parks and Public Lands Division is partnering with Salt Lake Power Yoga to offer residents free community yoga in Pioneer Park. Classes will be available from 6-7 p.m. on Monday evenings in September. The class meets in the southeast corner of the park, just east of the Utah Flying Trapeze operation.

Mayor Becker is committed to working toward a healthy, sustainable and livable community. Read more about his Livability Agenda. Explore how Salt Lake City is doing on the Sustainable City Dashboard.

EVENT: Free Yoga in Pioneer Park

WHO: Salt Lake City and Salt Lake City Power Yoga

WHEN: Sept. 8, 15, 22 and 29

6-7 p.m.

WHERE: Pioneer Park

350 S. 300 West

(southeast corner)