Green Government Order
As part of the Green Richmond Initiative, Mayor Dwight C. Jones issued a
Green Government Order
for all municipal operations within the city of Richmond. The Green Government Order calls for city
agencies, employees and all divisions of government to take actions to create more efficiency and less waste
in city government and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from government operations. For every action it
takes within its own operations and in providing services to the community, it is the city’s responsibility
to ensure it does so in a way that is environmentally friendly and fiscally responsible.
Energy Reduction & Fuel Reduction Goal
The Green Government Order establishes an Energy Reduction Goal for the city to reduce its
annual electricity consumption by at least 1 percent per calendar year using the city’s 2008 Greenhouse Gas
(GHG) Inventory as the benchmark. In addition, the Order establishes a Fuel Reduction Goal for the city to
reduce its annual vehicle fuel consumption by at least 1 percent per year, using the 2008 GHG Inventory as
the benchmark.
Anti-Idling Policy and Fuel Reduction Efforts
Agency heads are responsible for working with the Sustainability Office and Fleet Operations
to track their agency’s fuel use starting in January 2012. The city plans to implement an Anti-idling Policy
by the end of 2011 to reduce idling from city fleet vehicles, exempting necessary operational vehicles, such
as police, fire and emergency services. The city will also incorporate provisions into its policies for the
purchase and lease of fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles and to expand the number of hybrid and alternative
fuel vehicles in its fleet, including compressed natural gas vehicles.
Energy Management Plan and Energy Reduction Efforts
To reach the Energy Reduction Goal, the Sustainability Office is working to develop and
implement an
Energy Management Plan in cooperation with city agencies. All agency heads will implement the
plan in order to reduce electricity use. Energy efficiency and conservation are essential components of
responsible government operations. City employees and agencies are being asked to develop and take simple
and common-sense measures to reduce their impact on the city’s electricty The city also recognizes the
importance of green building practices and follows a standard of LEED silver for new or renovated facilities
greater than 10,000 sq. ft. As part of the Green Government Order, city agencies are encouraged to seek LEED,
Green Globe or Energy Star rated facilities and to consider public transportation and bicycle/pedestrian
accessibility when leasing space.
Green Government Team
Team RVAgreen Government is a voluntary city-wide Green Team led by the Sustainability Office,
created to help implement Mayor Jones’ Green Government Order. Team RVAgreen Government creates awareness, educates
and empowers employees to own sustainability in their work environment in a fun and exciting way. Employees are
motivated to help their agencies meet the annual electricity and fuel consumption goals. In order to be successful,
the Sustainability Office looks for passionate, energetic representation from every agency and department within city
government for Team RVAgreen Government. If you are a Richmond city employee and you’re interested in joining the Green
Team, please contact Team RVAgreen for more information.
Green Procurement Policy
The Sustainability Office and Procurement Department are working to develop and implement a
Sustainable and Green Procurement Policy for use by all agencies in the procurement of products and services
that incorporates sustainability considerations into purchasing decisions. The policy will ensure the city
purchases and uses goods and services that best align with the city’s fiscal, environmental, social equity,
economic growth and community enhancement goals. It will also reduce the overall negative impact on the
environment and recognize the triple bottom line considerations of environmental, economic and social
benefits.
Telework/Alternate Work Schedule Initiative
As part of the Mayor’s Green Government Order, the Sustainability Office, the Department of Human
Resources, and the Department of Information Technology are working to implement a
Telework and Alternative Work Schedule (AWS) Initiative. The initiative aims to have a minimum of
20 percent of the eligible city workforce engaged in telework or alternative work schedules. Seven
city agencies completed a successful pilot program in October 2011, with 30 percent of eligible
employees participating in either telework or alternate work schedules. Those agencies will continue
the initiative as other city agencies join.
