Braintorming Summary:  March 1, 2007

AEET 102

On Feb LCC's Introductory Alternative Energy Class did a half hour of brainstorming about some ways the City and city residents might be able to achieve it recent commitment to reducing global warming and energy use.

Here's a summary of Lansing's commitment:

1. Sign Mayors Climate Protection Agreement:
City agrees to seek to reduce its greenhouse gas
emissions to 7% below 1990 levels by the year
2012.   (Read the full agreement - click here.)

2. Municipal Renewable Portfolio Standard: 10%
renewable energy use by 2010, 15% by 2015 and
20% by 2020.   

3. Partnership with MSU: Lansing has sought the
assistance of the MSU Land Policy Institute to
conduct a greenhouse gas emissions study.
MSU has agreed to the study and are interested
in a more elaborate partnership.   

4. Energy Star Challenge: Mayor Bernero has
accepted the EPA's Energy Star Challenge on
behalf of the City of Lansing. The City of Lansing
will reduce energy use in its facilities by at least
10%, and challenge area businesses to do the
same.   

5. Green Fleet:  The mayor is committed to
switching to a green city fleet (biofuels, hybrids,
electric vehicles, etc.)  The city will be purchasing
its first electric car to use for parking
enforcement.    

6. Energy Efficiency Partnerships: develop
working partnerships with Lansing Board of
Water and Light, Urban Options, and other non-
profit organizations working on energy efficiency.

            (from www.midmeac.org)

How might Lansing achieve its goals for greenhouse gas reduction and energy savings?

What does "10%" by 2010 mean?

●        All City energy use?  Other resources (water, materials, etc.)

●        10% of current usage or post-conservation (usually it makes lots more sense/cents reducing consumption first, then choosing renewable options)

●        How do you quantify?  What types of energy?  Natural Gas, Gasoline, Electric, Water, Fuel Oil, Propane, Hydro,

What do we mean by “Lansing?”  Could this become regional?

What are other Cities doing?  (look for a template like Cool Cities, etc. that might help guide the effort, or create a plan)  

Share ideas with Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor and folks around Michigan

Review Energy and Sustainability Manager Job descriptions posted at

www.re-news.net/sustainable/job1.htm  for ideas.

Develop a regional vision and initiatve for sustainability.

Internal Strategies

●        Start internally, move externally, be a model

●        Biofuels in City work vehicles

●        more efficient street lights (LED)

●        select contractors that use renewable, conservation,etc.

●        Specify energy or resource efficiency or energy star

●        Start with biggest buildings

●        Help employees make personal changes and improvements at home

●        Explore energy audit ideas

●        Explore funding options and partnerships

●        Involve students

Organizations

●        CATA

●        Urban Options

●        LCC

●        MSU

●        Local Schools

●        board of Water and Light

●        Consumers Energy

External Opportunities

●        Energy Audits in State Building

●        School Programs - audits, education, demonstrations,

●        Involve youth

●        Recognize businesses for reaching certain goals – energy star sticker, tax
break -- stickers, stars, website, etc.

●        Give businesses incentives for making improvements

●        Construction – using firms that support biofuels,

●        Transportation, Distribution, trucking

●        Free energy audits for residential

●        Sewage system heat reclamation

 

●        Help others --Small businesses

●        Develop a PR/marketing effort - publish results

●        Share success stories, personal stories – to educate others

●        Take an appreciative approach

●        Make sure people are action-driven at home (employees, students' parents, participants)

●        Start a list of potential improvements

a.       Turn heat down at night

b.      Drive smaller cars

c.       Turn off computers

d.      Use Power strips (to curb "phantom" power consumption)

e.       Turn off lights

f.       Use compact fluorescents

g.       Promote waste reduction and recycling

h.       Share profits and savings with participants