Tag Archives: utah

SLC’s Commitment to Clearing the Air

skyWith so much talk about Salt Lake City’s poor air quality, it might feel like everyone else is telling you what to do—drive less, walk more, don’t idle, stay inside, think green. While individual actions play a crucial role in reducing the pollutants that get trapped in our valleys, you’re not the only one who can and should make a difference.

At SLCGreen, we recognize that only through collective action at every level and in every sector can we see real change.

Here are just some of the things the City of Salt Lake has been doing to reduce its own emissions in an effort to clear the air:

LEED Silver Standards for all new city buildings and major renovations. Meeting these minimum standards reduces the impacts of construction, sources more sustainable materials, and improves water and energy consumption throughout the life of the building. The latest example is the new Public Safety building on 500 South, which will generate as much electricity as it consumes, making it the first public safety building of its kind in the nation.

City and County Building Efficiency Upgrades. Recognizing that much of our electricity comes from burning coal, we’ve been working over the last decade to reduce the electricity consumed by our existing buildings. The City-County building downtown, home to the Mayor’s office, has reduced its electricity consumption by 840,000 kilowatt hours per year thanks to upgraded lighting and building systems. This is a reduction equivalent to the electricity consumed by 89 homes in one year.

Solar installation on the top of The Leonardo, with a view of the Salt Lake City-County Building.

Solar installation on the top of The Leonardo, with a view of the Salt Lake City-County Building.

Fuel Efficient City Vehicles. The city has a lot of vehicles out on the streets that contribute green house gas emissions along with everyone else. To curb our carbon, we’ve introduced 16 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks to replace diesel sanitation trucks, added 5 hybrids and 2 rechargeable electric cars to the Police Department fleet, and changed over 25% of the Airport’s vehicles to CNG.

Thanks to the Sustainable SLC Plan 2015, this is just the beginning. Read more about doing your part.

e2 Teams Up with SLC Green Drinks

Green Drinks Event

Mark your calendars! The e2 Business program is excited to announce that it will be hosting this month’s  Green Drinks event on February 25th.

Green Drinks is a local organization that coordinates monthly gatherings of Salt Lake City’s sustainability community, where guests can network, socialize, enjoy locally sourced beer and food and learn about the region’s newest sustainability initiatives and organizations.

For February’s event, the e2 program is excited to showcase its nearly 100 member businesses, discuss the program’s current successes and introduce new program initiatives for 2013. Food will be provided by Zest Kitchen & Bar, with beer from Unsacred Brewery.

This is a great opportunity to come and meet the people behind Salt Lake City’s green businesses, share some ideas and enjoy great food and drink. We hope to see you there!

E2logo

Salt Lake City’s e2 Business program is dedicated to helping Salt Lake’s business community run in a more environmentally and economically sustainable manner. Nearing 100 members, the e2 Business program is an excellent way for like-minded businesses from all sectors to share ideas, make connections and receive advice from Salt Lake City’s staff experts. Learn more about the e2 Business program.

Mayors Take to the Hill for Clean Air

Mayors Clean Air Event

Yesterday, SLCGreen took a trip to the Utah State Capitol for a media event hosted by Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker, Ogden City Mayor Mike Caldwell and the Salt Lake Chamber’s Ryan Evans. The purpose of the event was to voice their support for state and local actions to help improve air quality, and to present a list of recommendations that would result in less air pollution.

Among the actions recommended:

  • Initiate a call to action by individuals to lessen single occupant vehicle driving and cold starts (a large contributor to poor air quality).
  • Implement a UTA transit pass sponsorship program.
  • Share local/state level strategies for others to consider:
    • Education everyone on the fact that most emissions come from “cold starts.”
    • Provide discounted or free transit passes to employees.
    • Have a robust carpooling program, creating preferential parking for carpools.
    • Encourage employees to telework.
    • Pass parking user costs on to employees.
    • Establish no-idling ordinances and educational campaigns.
    • Allow for flexible schedules to avoid rush hour traffic.
  • Propose a series of legislative/regulatory actions to improve funding for transit and local transportation funding, reducing vehicle use and removing state barriers to more aggressive action:
    • Provide additional transit funding by implementing an increase in the local-option sales tax; or by increasing the gas tax.
    • Repeal state law prohibiting Utah from setting air quality standards that are higher than federal regulations.
    • Extend tax credits for clean fuel and electric vehicles.
    • Change state vehicle registration fee schedule to be based on vehicle emissions.
    • Adopt additional driving restrictions during bad air days.
  • Support regulatory actions due to the new PM2.5 standard:
    • New point and area source regulations.
    • Trip reduction mandates for companies with over 100 employees.

What are you thoughts on the recommendations listed above? What would you like to see from the Utah State Legislature this session?

Sustainable Salt Lake — Plan 2015

Over the last five years, Salt Lake City’s pursuit of success in sustainability, social justice, and neighborhood
and downtown vitality has helped shape the collective vision for how we live, work, recreate and
grow in Salt Lake City.

The Sustainable Salt Lake – Plan 2015 reflects a broad and ambitious agenda to protect our resources, enhance our assets, and establish a path toward greater resiliency and vitality for every aspect of our community.

The plan is an extension of Salt Lake Mayor Ralph Becker’s visionary Livability Agenda. The agenda was crafted to guide policies during Mayor Becker’s second term.

Learn more about how sustainability is an important part of the future of Salt Lake City.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZHwT76phKM]

Explore the Sustainable Salt Lake — Plan 2015.

Sustainable Salt Lake -- Plan 2015

Let us know what you think about Salt Lake City’s plans to increase the long term sustainability of our community.