Implementation Strategy

WHAT IS THE CITY DOING to reduce GHG emissions?

Even though the Climate Action Plan is still under development, the City of Burlington has started moving on the implementation of several emissions reduction strategies. Below is a list of programs and initiatives already in place, their description and relevant links for more information.

Energy Efficiency in Buildings

Clean Energy Assessment District – The Vermont State Legislature passed ACT 45 in May 2009 which allows Vermont communities to voluntarily establish “clean energy assessment districts” so that building owners can voluntarily install eligible energy efficiency and/or renewable energy projects in existing homes and businesses. ACT 45 allows towns to borrow funds such as municipal general obligation bonds for this purpose and then re-lend to participating property owners who then pay back the cost as a regular assessment on their property tax bill.

Renewable Energy Resources

Solar Cities Project – info to be forthcoming

Local Farms, Gardens and Food Production

Burlington School Food Program – The Burlington School Food Project (BSFP) is a citywide collaborative formed to address the integration of local foods into school meals and food insecurity among school aged children in Burlington, Vermont.  Partners in the BSFP include the Burlington Legacy Project, Shelburne Farms, VT FEED, NOFA VT, the Intervale Center, the Burlington School District Food Service, City Market/Onion River Co-op, and Healthy City Youth Farm.  The BSFP carries out its food, farming, and nutrition activities with direction from the Burlington Food Council, an open community group dedicated to the work of the BSFP.

Transportation

City Government
Employee commute program – In an effort to reduce the amount of mileage driven every year by its employees, the City’s Burlington Sustainability Action Team (BSAT) is beginning to develop a commute reduction program that will likely include incentives for staff to use alternative modes of transportation, car and ride sharing programs, as well as flexible work schedules. So far the team has begun discussion with CATMA, the Campus Area Transportation Management Agency and CarShare VT for finding ways to partner in this effort. Stay tuned for more details on this brand new program!

Anti-Idling Campaign – The City’s Legacy Project launched its No Idling Campaign in April 2007 with public outreach, education, and policy advocacy efforts to reduce unnecessary vehicle idling as a way to improve air quality and overall quality of life for everyone who lives, works, and plays in Burlington. Click here for more information.

Waste Reduction and Recycling

City Waste Sort/Reduction Program – On September 17, 2009 city staff, with the help of Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD), sorted through one day’s worth of City Hall’s trash and recyclable materials. The goal of this exercise was to discover if city employees properly sort recyclables and trash, and if enough compost is generated weekly to justify beginning a composting program in city facilities. As employees started sorting through trash cans, it quickly became evident that a large portion of what they found was not “TRUE TRASH” and should have been recycled or composted. In fact, in terms of volume, the results of this exercise showed that 1/3 of the materials found in the trash bags were recyclables (33 gallons), another 1/3 could have been composted (32 gallons) and only 1/3 was true trash (32 gallons). A pilot project is now being implemented in part of City Hall to increase the success of the recycling program and begin a composting component for all employees. Stay tuned for the results of this pilot and more information on this new waste reduction program!

Policy, Research and Education

Stormwater ordinance and utility – The City of Burlington is establishing a dedicated stormwater program in an effort to address the state and federal stormwater permit requirements. The City must meet specific compliance requirements that are not fully addressed presently. Fully addressing these requirements is key to improving the water quality of Lake Champlain and the Winooski River, as well as the streams that flow into them. Click here for more info!