Under the leadership of Mayor Dwight C. Jones, City Administration has implemented several sustainability initiatives to reduce
its carbon footprint. These programs contribute to the priorities that Mayor Jones has established for his administration. The
sustainability initiatives will also help achieve Mayor Jones' vision for Richmond to become a tier one city by increasing
efficiency and effectiveness in City Government operations.
The city is extremely proud of its accomplishments. This webpage was created to share information with the public and engage citizens in our efforts. There are currently seven key focus areas for our sustainability initiatives. These areas are listed below.
City Initiatives:
Several efforts are ongoing to support the initiatives in the other focus areas.
- Virginia Green Government Challenge
The Virginia Municipal League's Green Government Challenge is an annual friendly competition among local governments to earn points for the implementation of environmental policies and actions that reduce carbon emissions. The city received a green certification award for participation in the 2009 Green Government Challenge.
- Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory
The inventory will determine the source and quantity of greenhouse gas emissions in government operations and within the local community.
- Sustainability Plan
Using Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds, the plan will engage the community to create strategies to address environmental, social, and economic issues.
- Green City Commission
The Commission was established to provide expertise and information to support the city's sustainability efforts.
- ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability Resolution
The city joined ICLEI, an international organization of localities dedicated to climate mitigation. City Council adopted a Resolution to support the City's ICLEI membership.
- Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN)
Richmond is a member of the USDN. The USDN is a professional network of over seventy city sustainability directors that work together to find solutions to sustainability challenges.
Building Management and Conservation
This includes programs to improve energy and resource efficiency in local government facilities and improve the overall
management of the city's built environment. For the community, it includes programs to address energy efficiency and resource
conservation objectives within the commercial, industrial and residential sectors.
- Energy Manager
Using Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds, the city plans to hire an Energy Manager to reduce energy use and GHG emissions and to realize energy savings.
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Resolution
City Administration is following a Resolution adopted in January 2009, to apply LEED standards to eligible new and existing city facilities.
- LEED training for city employees
This program will use Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds to train plan reviewers and inspectors about sustainable building principles.
- U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Membership
In January 2009, the city joined the USGBC. The USGBC is a national organization committed to sustainable building.
- Energy efficiency retrofits in city facilities
To enhance energy savings, General Services is conducting a number of facility renovations including in City Hall, the Waste Water Treatment Plant, and in branch libraries.
- Department of Information Technology (DIT) energy reduction programs
DIT implemented programs to reduce energy and resource use. Its iPower program remotely controls PCs, and its Page Center program creates web reports saving 500K printed pages monthly.
- Department of Public Utilities (DPU) solar powered street lights
DPU has a pilot project to install solar powered street lights in the Randolph West Subdivision. It will measure performance to determine whether to expand the program.
- DPU water conservation programs
In 2008, DPU implemented a cost of service rate structure to promote water conservation. DPU is currently upgrading infrastructure to improve water conservation at its treatment facilities.
- DPU Conservation Program
The Conservation Program is anticipated to start on July 1, 2010. It is designed to reduce customers' energy costs, make businesses more competitive, and reduce Richmond's carbon footprint. Using Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds, it will offer two types of financial rebates to all DPU customers: Incentive Rebates for Energy Audits to help pay for energy audits and Incentive Rebates for Retrofit Equipment to help replace inefficient heating equipment.
Transportation:
Transportation efficiency projects can elevate energy and environmental awareness and provide the opportunity to positively transform transit decisions for the long term.
- Strategic Multi Modal Transportation Plan
In 2010, the city will work with a consultant to develop a long-range multi-modal transportation plan that takes into account alternative transportation modes.
- One Way to Two Way Street Conversion
The Downtown Master Plan recommended converting one way streets to two way streets. It would encourage safe and efficient traffic flow, alleviate congestion and reduce vehicle miles traveled to reduce the city's carbon footprint.
- Light-emitting Diode (LED) Traffic Lights
The Department of Public Works (DPW) is converting existing incandescent traffic signals including pedestrian signal heads to LED lights for energy savings and greater efficiency.
- Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) Rideshare program for city employees
Managed by the Department of Public Works (DPW), the GRTC Rideshare program encourages city employees to use GRTC and reduce individual car use. 18% of DPW employees participate.
- Virginia Capital Trail for bike and pedestrian use
In December 2009, the city finished the Richmond Riverfront phase of the Trail. This section is the first of three through the city. The Trail is 55 miles connecting Richmond to Williamsburg.
- Standard bike racks
100 bike racks of uniform design have been placed around the city to encourage alternative transportation and more racks will be added as funds become available.
- City Fleet efficiency measures
To enhance fuel efficiency and cost savings, the city is implmenting measures that include using alternative fuels and synthetic oil to extend the length of time between oil changes.
Land Use and Development:
Land use practices can improve air quality, reduce stormwater run off, increase energy efficiency, and reduce greenhouse (GHG) emissions to improve the quality of life for citizens.
- Urban Tree Canopy
The Urban Tree Canopy was identified as an important resource through the Downtown Master Plan process and the city is working to restore it.
- Urban Forestry Commission
The Urban Forestry Commission was established to help improve the city's urban forestry resources through policy, development, advice, education and fundraising.
- Community Gardens
Community gardens are an economic driver. Vacant property can be turned into urban gardens to provide a local source of healthy food for a community. Converting vacant or blighted property into gardens also has a positive impact on property values of adjacent parcels.
- James River Park Conservation Easement
Richmond granted a Conservation Easement to permanently conserve approximately 280 acres of property in the James River Park System from future development.
- Green space along the James River
The city is acquiring green space along the James River for public access and recreational opportunities to enhance the quality of life for citizens.
- Low Impact Development (LID)
LID is a land development approach that allows land to be developed but in a manner that helps lessen potential environmental impacts. The city has a number of pilot LID projects in place.
- Rain Gardens
Rain gardens help filter sediment that can harm the water supply and they retain water during heavy rain periods to prevent runoff.
Economic Development
Sustainability initiatives support economic development by encouraging increased public transit flow in the downtown area, elevating energy
and environmental awareness of city employees and the general public, and leveraging financial incentives for energy efficiency that improve
the "bottom line" of local businesses.
- DPU Conservation Program
The Conservation Program is anticipated to start on July 1, 2010. It is designed to reduce customers' energy costs, make businesses more competitive, and reduce Richmond's carbon footprint. Using Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds, it will offer two types of financial rebates to all DPU customers: Incentive Rebates for Energy Audits to help pay for energy audits and Incentive Rebates for Retrofit Equipment to help replace inefficient heating equipment.
- Community Gardens
Community gardens are an economic driver. Blighted property can be turned into urban gardens to provide a local source of healthy food for a community. Converting blighted property into gardens also has a positive impact on property values of adjacent parcels.
- Blighted property redevelopment to reuse existing building stock
The Neighborhoods in Bloom program redevelops blighted property. The Vacant Property Registry and spot blight abatement are effective enforcement tools.
Waste Management:
This includes programs to conserve resources and reduce waste. Also included are projects to improve energy efficiency, product recycling and equipment life cycle benefits in city facilities.
- Recycling in City Hall
DPW manages a recycling program for employees in City Hall.
- Computer recycling program to reduce the city's electronic waste
DIT conducts a PC recycling program to refurbish and reuse older computers, reducing electronic waste and reducing costs.
- Digester Gas Recovery at Waste Water Treatment Plant
DPU is implementing a process to capture and use the excess digester gas flared during the processing of waste water. This will result in enhanced efficiency and cost savings.
- Department of Public Works Record Management & Maintenance System
This system controls the creation, maintenance, use and disposition of records and transactions in digital form. It reduces paper, employee travel time and other resources.
- Department programs to reduce printing and conserve paper and toner
Departments have implemented steps to reduce paper and toner use including default black and white setting, double sided printing and email signatures to not print unless necessary.
Education and Outreach
Educating and engaging employees and the public is a critical component to successfully achieving the sustainability goals. The city would like to enhance awareness and understanding of energy efficiency, resource conservation and sustainability practices while increasing participation levels in programs that will have a positive impact on the community.
- Green Lunch program for city employees
The Green Lunch is a quarterly event for city employees where expert speakers share their views on sustainability topics.
- Children's Garden at the 17th Street Farmer's Market
The Little Sprouts Garden was built by volunteers and grown by children of several Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority communities to educate them about local food and work ethics.
- Department of Public Utilities water conservation awareness programs
DPU offers a number of programs to educate citizens about water and resource conservation and enhance citizen awareness.
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