Minneapolis Reaches First Goal on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Minneapolis has reached its first goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from citywide energy consumption, transportation, solid waste, and wastewater. Greenhouse gases caused by activities within the city limits of Minneapolis decreased 17.8 percent in 2015 compared to the 2006 baseline; the goal was a 15 percent reduction. The 2015 analysis included a substantial update to prior years’ calculations using a method that aligns Minneapolis with other cities around the world participating in the Compact of Mayors agreement. 2016 data is being analyzed and will be available soon.

Greenhouse gas emissions decreased 10.7 percent from 2014 to 2015, driven primarily by milder winter months, which resulted in a decrease in natural gas consumption. An increase in emissions from wastewater was offset by decreases in emissions from electricity consumption, natural gas consumption, on-road transportation and solid waste. Find more detail in the PowerPoint presentation.

Subsequent goals will require acceleration of energy conservation and cleaner heating options

Minneapolis’ next goals include a 30 percent reduction in citywide emissions by 2025 and an 80 percent or more reduction by 2050 (all from the 2006 baseline). A rise in renewable wind and solar electricity drove most of the emissions decrease since 2006, a trend forecasted to continue. With natural gas set, then, to become the City’s largest contributor to emissions in the coming years, meeting future goals will require accelerating progress in reducing natural gas consumption with energy conservation and shifting to cleaner heating options such as renewable natural gas and heat pump technology.

Minneapolis will make progress toward its goals by continuing to implement its Climate Action Plan and working with CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy on implementing the Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership 2017-2018 work plan.

Find the City’s other climate action goals here.

September 22 is World Car-Free Day

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 60% of Minneapolis workers drove alone to work in 2015. Move Minneapolis, an organization that promotes sustainable transportation in downtown Minneapolis, would like to raise public awareness of other, more environmentally-friendly options through an annual celebration of World Car-Free Day. Single occupant drivers are encouraged to consider carpooling, walking, biking, or taking public transportation on September 22. Visit http://moveminneapolis.org/car-free-day/ to take the pledge to not drive alone that day and register for a prize drawing.

World Car-Free Day is observed in 1.500 cities in more than 40 countries. Council Member Kevin Reich will be presenting a resolution at the September 20th City Council meeting designating that September 2 henceforth be World Car-Free Day in the City of Minneapolis

City Wins SolSmart & Clean Energy Community Awards

(CM Reich with Sustainability staff:
Brady Steigauf, Luke Hollenkamp, Gayle Prest & Kelly Muellman)

The City of Minneapolis has earned a couple of important awards relating to its leadership in the area of clean energy:

SolSmart Gold Designation - Solar
SolSmart, a program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy of Energy, has awarded the City of Minneapolis a Gold designation in recognition of its national leadership in advancing solar energy. A SolSmart designation is a signal that the community is "open for solar business," helping to attract solar industry investment and generate economic development and local jobs.

MN Clean Energy Community Award - Clean Energy Partnership

Minneapolis was one of six communities to receive an Achievement Award as an acknowledgement of work done to further the state's clean energy goals. Minneapolis received its award for the formation of the Clean Energy Partnership. This is a new approach that partners the City with Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy to help the City reach its Climate Action Plan and Energy Vision for 2040, goals of 30% greenhouse gas reduction by 2025 and 80% by 2050.

Northern Metal Lawsuit Update & Public Meeting

The City of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) will be hosting a meeting to discuss recent developments regarding air pollution and Northern Metal Recycling. The City, MPCA and Northern Metal are close to reaching a settlement. Part of the settlement includes Northern Metal setting aside a sum of money to be used for remedying the effects of the company's excess air pollution. This meeting offers Ward 1 and Ward 3 residents an opportunity for input on how best to use this part of the settlement. At the meeting, MPCA officials will give a summary regarding the possible settlement and Minneapolis Health Department staff will give a presentation on environmental public health concerns in the area.

Ward 1 & Ward 3 Northern Metal Listening Session
Wednesday, January 18, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
East Side Neighborhood Services, 1700 Second Street NE

Child care will be available. Please call Leslie at 612-673-3544 if you would like child care so she has an idea of numbers.

Pollution Bills Now Reflect Impact

Pollution control bills going out now to businesses are simpler and more in line with costs since the City changed its pollution control fee structure. The new structure eliminates fees for many small businesses across Minneapolis, and it charges businesses more when they pollute more.

The City charges businesses pollution impact fees for equipment or operations that affect or could affect the environment in Minneapolis. The fees pay for environmental work on polluted indoor and outdoor air, groundwater and surface waters, and land.

In an urban environment, the cost of pollution to public health can be five times greater than in outstate areas. Built into the fee restructure are exemptions for businesses actively working to reduce their pollution impacts. Businesses can avoid paying fees for two to 10 years by reducing their pollution emissions between 10 and 40 percent.

The City restructured the fees to align payment more with the services provided, promote technologies that reduce pollution, and make it more attractive to change outdated practices and eliminate hazards.

Universal Plating Site Update

The Minneapolis Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has added the former Universal Plating site, which consists of 1900-1922 Monroe Street NE and 661-19th Avenue NE, to the State's Superfund Permanent List of Priorities. This is a significant step in ultimately returning this piece of property to productive and beneficial use. Universal Plating was the site of chemical and mechanical plating and finishing from 1944 to 2009. Metals and chlorinated solvents at levels that exceed the MPCA's soil reference values for residential land use have been detected in the site's soil. The property has been included in MPCA's Voluntary Investigation and Cleanup Program since 2014.

The property was forfeited to the State of Minnesota for non-payment of taxes in 2015. Hennepin County Resident and Real Estate Services (RRES) currently administers the site on behalf of the State. In addition to securing and maintaining the property, Hennepin County staff have sampled and identified chemicals and process waste on the site and packaged and transferred waste from the site to disposal facilities. The site needs to be completely cleaned before the structures can be demolished. The clean up is expected to be completed by the end of 2016 and the demolition will take place during the spring and summer of 2017.

Free Home Energy Squad Visits

For a limited time, the City of Minneapolis is offering free Home Energy Squad visits for income-qualified residents, including renters.All Minneapolis residents are eligible for a $70 home visit, but to qualify for a FREE visit and 0% financing for recommended upgrades, your home must have an income of less than $48,100 for one person, $54,950 for two people, $61,850 for three people, or up to $90,650 for eight people.

During a Home Energy Squad visit, a team of energy experts evaluates energy saving opportunities in your home and installs free materials to help you start saving on the spot -- including door weather stripping, a water heater blanket, high-efficiency light bulbs and water fixtures, and a programmable thermostat. Your visit may also include: a test to measure your home for air leaks; an insulation inspection using an infrared camera; a safety check of your home’s heating system and water heater; and an “energy fitness plan” with a list of energy-saving priorities and financing information.

If the Home Energy Squad recommends insulation or air sealing, income-qualified residents will also get special access to 0% financing to complete that work, and all participants will receive a personalized quote and opportunity to schedule the work with a qualified contractor. This is a limited-time offer, so don’t wait to schedule your visit! Call Beth today at 612-335-5874 or visit mncee.org/hes-mpls

Receational Fires: Be a Good Neighbor

Following these Minneapolis laws will help keep our neighborhoods safe and livable:

• Outdoor fires are permitted between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m.
• Keep fire small: less than three feet in diameter and two feet high.
• Postpone a fire when Minneapolis is under an air pollution advisory. Fires release fine particles that contribute to air pollution and can be a factor in a number of health problems including strokes, heart attacks and asthma. Sign up for air quality alerts at http://mn.enviroflash.info.
• Burn only untreated, unpainted, dry wood. Never burn cardboard boxes, trash or debris, because the smoke can be toxic. www.minneapolismn.gov/environment/air/airquality
• Fire must be at least 25 feet away from a structure or combustible material and in a fire ring or pit with edges more than six inches high.
• Have a hose or fire extinguisher present.
• Postpone the fire when the wind exceeds 10 mph.
• Fire must be constantly attended by someone 18 years or older and completely out before being abandoned.

Any illegal burning can result in a $200 fine.

For more information on recreational fires or to register a complaint about a recreational fire, call 311 or emailMinneapolis311@minneapolismn.gov, or to register a complaint about a recreational fire outside 311 hours, call 911. The Fire and Police departments are authorized to extinguish a fire immediately if it is hazardous.

Help Keep Our Waterways Clean

With our lakes, creeks, waterfalls and the Mississippi River, we pride ourselves on Minneapolis’ natural waters.

A big part of protecting our waterways is right on our streets. Leaves, dirt, garbage and anything that gets left on the street can wash down storm drains and go untreated into our lakes and the river.

When it rains, stormwater carries grass clippings, leaves, cigarette butts, pesticides, fertilizers, antifreeze, paint, gasoline, motor oil and animal waste directly into Minneapolis lakes, creeks and the Mississippi River.

Sign up for the Minneapolis Adopt a Drain program, and commit to clearing leaves and trash from it regularly.
Never put anything down a storm drain. It’s for rain and melting snow only.Be a champion and spread the word with your neighbors.

Learn more or sign up by calling 311 or going to www.minneapolismn.gov/AdoptaDrain.

Monitor Your Appliances & Save Energy

You can check out a Power Check meter from your local library and connect it to an appliance in your home to learn the appliance's energy use – its current, minimum and maximum energy use.

Knowing which appliances are major energy drains can help you make smarter decisions about the energy you use in your home, and that can help you save on your bills.

Power Check is an energy efficiency and education initiative provided in partnership between Xcel Energy and your public library.

Minneapolis' Clean Energy Partnership Wins Climate Leadership Award

EPA's Dennis J. McLerran with CEP board members Laura
McCarten (Xcel), Brad Tutunjian (Centerpointe) & CM Reich

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named the Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership a 2016 Climate Leadership Award winner in the Innovative Partnerships category for addressing climate change. Council Member Reich accepted the award on behalf of the City of Minneapolis at the conference in March. The EPA, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, and The Climate Registry are honoring 13 organizations, three partnerships and one individual in the fifth annual Climate Leadership Awards. Recipients have demonstrated leadership and dedication in reducing the pollution that contributes to climate change. The Innovative Partnerships certificate recognizes organizations working collaboratively on leading-edge climate initiatives.

This first-of-its-kind City-utility partnership, the Clean Energy Partnership began in 2015 and has the City of Minneapolis, Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy collaborating in new ways to help Minneapolis achieve clean energy goals in the City's 2013 Climate Action Plan and Energy Vision for 2040. The utilities are using the partnership to help customers achieve their energy conservation goals.

Key actions of the Clean Energy Partnership are outlined in the first two-year work plan within the planned 10 year partnership:

- Helping 75 percent of Minneapolis homeowners, renters and rental properties participate in efficiency retrofit programs by 2025, ensuring the distribution of participants reflects the distribution of income levels in the city.

- Implementing the Building Energy Disclosure policy for medium and large commercial buildings.

- Promoting the adoption of renewable energy solutions for Minneapolis customers, such as onsite solar, wind, community solar gardens and green tariffs.

- Investigating the feasibility of large-scale renewable energy purchasing for municipal government and/or residents.

- Continuing to shift to LED streetlights.

Partnerships recognized by the award have established objectives to measurably address greenhouse gas reduction goals and/or adaptation and resilience activities. Measurable results will be documented and reported annually following the development of metrics. Find more information about the 2016 Climate Leadership Award here.

Council Member's Message

Environmental matters have been front and center on my Council schedule recently. I was pleased to attend Governor Dayton's Water Summit on February 27 and participate in this important discussion about the challenges we face in protecting and improving our water resources. This topic is central for me in a very local context, both as Chair of the City's Transportation and Public Works committee and as Board Chair of the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO), but it's important in a larger, statewide context as well, so I appreciated this opportunity to learn more. I would encourage others interested in this topic to visit the online forum component of the Summit at http://watersummit.ideascale.com/ to explore the topics discussed, make suggestions and ask questions.

The Ward One office also sponsored a recent community forum on the topic of recycling and the waste stream in conjunction with Eureka Recycling. We had a fascinating discussion with our panelists and a very engaged audience that highlighted ways in which our recycling processes could stimulate job growth. See more information about the forum below and on the Ward One website.

Lastly, I will be representing the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership at the 2016 Climate Leadership Conference in Seattle this month. This is a global conference that addresses issues of climate, sustainability and energy in terms of both policy and business solutions. I look forward to reporting back what I learn.

Raingarden Workshop: Planting for Pollinators

Help keep our river and lakes clean while creating a beautiful and bee/butterfly-friendly habitat in your yard. Raingardens are designed to capture rainwater and allow it to soak into the ground within 48 hours. When they are planted with local native plants that also encourage and feed pollinators, their positive impact on our environment is maximized.

Metro Blooms is offering a workshop on Thursday, April 18, 6-9 p.m., at Audubon Park Recreation Center that will give an overview of raingardens and native plants, as well as resources for hire if you need extra help. The cost is $15. To register for this or other workshops that are being offered in the metro area this spring, visit metroblooms.org or call 651-699-2426.

Light Up Your Home For Less

This week Xcel Energy launched a two month long promotion of energy efficient light bulbs featuring discounted CFLs and LEDs at local retailers. It’s time to switch out your old bulbs for new, energy-efficient CFLs and LEDs. And take advantage of the savings, while they last. Right now, Xcel Energy is partnering with participating retailers to offer special discounts. Save up to $5 on select models of LEDs or buy CFLs for as little as $1 per bulb.

How much do they save?

LEDs and CFLs are the most energy efficient bulbs available. They use 75 to 80 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and can last up to 22 years. They come in all shapes and sizes and can save you energy and money.

Start saving today!

Visit xcelenergy.com/LightingDeals to find bulbs at stores near you.

Council Member's Message

2015 was an eventful year for the City of Minneapolis on a number of fronts and I am pleased that some of the initiatives and improvements launched over the course of the past year will have positive impacts on our community and our environment far into the the future:

• Organics recycling was launched in August of 2015 and will be expanded citywide in 2016. This initiative, combined with the one sort recycling that was rolled out 2012/13, represents a significant step in moving closer to the City's Zero Waste goals.
  
• The Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership Board, of which I am a member, completed its first year of work toward helping Minneapolis achieve its clean energy goals.
• In September the Council approved the Percent-for-Art Ordinance that I authored with CM Glidden to dedicate 1.5% of City-issued net debt bonds annually to public art funding. This ordinance will ensure stable and predictable funding for public art and reinforces our commitment to the creative vitality artists generate in the First Ward and our City as a whole. Click HERE to read more about the ordinance.
• The City's Regulatory Services department rolled out a tiered rental license system that is designed to align costs and inspections to bring more resources to bear on problem rental properties.

2015 was an especially productive year for the First Ward. Many items that have been top priorities for me and for our community came to fruition in a big way, including the sale of the Hollywood Theater and the return of a ladder truck to Station 15. Read about some of the highlights below; we have much to celebrate!

Organics Recycling Goes Citywide

The City of Minneapolis’ organics recycling program is about to go citywide. Right now, the City collects food scraps, coffee grounds, meat trimmings, eggshells and many other items from about 12,000 residences for composting. Starting this spring, the rest of the city will be able to recycle organics too. Residents living in the second phase areas of this program will need to sign up by Feb. 1 to get their recycling carts during the spring rollout.

The City already has more than 19,000 organics carts to deliver for the next phase of organics recycling and will put together a residential delivery list this winter. To get on that list, residents must sign up by Feb. 1. Those who sign up after that date will get their carts in the summer. (Residents in the first phase rollout area who aren’t already in the organics recycling program can sign up now to receive a cart within a couple weeks.)

About 34,000 households have signed up to participate in the organics recycling program. To be part of the program, call 612-673-2917 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, or email SWRcustomer@minneapolismn.gov. There is no additional cost to participate.

Organics recycling includes:

• All food scraps including fruits, vegetables, bones, meat, breads, pasta, nut shells, eggshells and dairy products.
  
• Non-recyclable and food-soiled paper products including paper towels, napkins, facial tissues, waxed paper, egg cartons and pizza boxes.
  
• Certified compostable paper cups, plates, bowls, utensils, bags and takeout containers.
  
• Other compostable items including coffee grounds; tea bags; wood chopsticks, Popsicle sticks and toothpicks; hair; and houseplant trimmings.

Do not include: yard waste, pet waste litter or bedding, milk cartons, ice cream tubs, Chinese food containers, dryer lint, dryer sheets, diapers and sanitary products, cleaning and baby wipes, grease, oil, Styrofoam, foil-lined products, non-certified compostable bags and food service items, or products labeled “biodegradable.”

Find more information at www.minneapolismn.gov/organics.

Mississippi River Green Team Youth Employment Opportunities

The Mississippi River Green Team is an employment and conservation program for Minneapolis youth between 14-17 years old made possible through a partnership between the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. This program offers an opportunity for Northeast youth to have a mentored job experience, learn about environmental careers and acquire new skills. For more information and to apply for the Green Team, visit http://mwmo.org/mississippirivergreenteam.html

Unwanted Paint Disposal

If you have unwanted paint, know the right way of disposing it. Oil-based paint is considered a hazardous material and can’t go in the regular trash. Latex paint is non-hazardous and if dried can be placed in a residential garbage cart.

Hennepin County residents can bring all paint and paint-related materials to a Hennepin County facility for no charge, and now there are more options too.

PaintCare provides many locations in and around Minneapolis where you can drop off cans of unwanted paint. To find the location nearest you, just put in your zip code at www.paintcare.org/drop-off-locations. To find out exactly what you can drop off and get tips for using up old paint, visit here.

Recycling in Minneapolis Parks

Minneapolis residents will recognize new garbage and one-sort recycling carts in Minneapolis parks as the same ones they use at home. Minneapolis neighborhood parks are now part of the City of Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling program.

Recycling in the parks is now an easier choice, because each garbage cart will be paired with a recycling cart. The one-sort carts collect glass, plastic, paper, aluminum and cardboard into one container. Remember – no plastic bags, trash, clothes, items that have food or wax on them, Styrofoam or other kinds of plastic foam.

For more information on what you can recycle in Minneapolis, click here.

Council Member's Message

One of the boards I was appointed to when I first assumed office in 2010 was the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO). I have been deeply involved in the work of this outstanding organization and proud to serve as its board chair since 2013.

The mission of the MWMO is to lead and foster stewardship of the Mississippi watershed with actions that encourage civic ownership and responsibility and through measures that achieve diverse and functional ecosystems. That mission aligns closely with the priorities of the First Ward, given that we share a border with the river and are part of the watershed. As an added bonus, MWMO's beautiful new headquarters is also located in Ward 1 on the banks of the river. The organization has been nominated for two 2014 ReScape Awards, for community impact and environmental impact, for its transformation of a polluted 1-acre site into an education center, offices, demonstration landscape and pedestrian connection to the Mississippi. You can visit the Minnesota Brownfields website to learn more about the ReScape finalists:http://mnbrownfields.org/rescape-award-finalists-announced-2014/

One of the important ways MWMO fulfills its mission is through funding and implementing projects that have a demonstrable impact on water quality. On a large scale, that work can be seen at the Edison High School parking lot, which was completely reconstructed in 2013 with state-of-the-art Best Management Practices so that it can now capture stormwater before it enters the storm sewers and ultimately the Mississippi. The second phase of this project is currently underway at the Edison athletic field, where MWMO is installing stormwater recapture and re-use infrastructure that will ultimately ensure that no stormwater leaves the site.

Other locations in Northeast where MWMO's work can be seen include the Sentyrz parking lot and the grounds of the Grace Center. In addition, MWMO has been monitoring stormwater at a site in the Windom Park neighborhood for a number of years to investigate the quantity and quality of stormwater as it enters Minneapolis from St. Anthony Village and eventually travels to the river near the University of Minnesota. For those wanting more information, MWMO's annual water monitoring report is available at http://mwmo.org/Annual%20Monitoring%20Report%202013.pdf. This project will provide the MWMO an opportunity to test new technologies to remove and manage pollutants before they enter the Mississippi River. The MWMO is also working with the City of Minneapolis in the Northeast area to model how rain water and snow melt moves through the storm pipe system in order to identify and prioritize projects to improve the function of the system. The results of this work could lead to the creation of sub-watershed districts. 

I, my fellow board members and the MWMO staff are pleased to announce that, as part of a larger organizational restructuring of staffing and programs, the organization's Stewardship Fund Grants Program has recently been revised to more closely align with our goals. We felt it was essential that these grants have stronger community connections and that they offer an opportunity for the MWMO to strengthen its relationships with community organizations and entities. Projects can still be done on private property, but the applicant will need to be a non-profit organization, officially recognized neighborhood group, business or professional association, school or local unit of government.

More information about the Stewardship Fund Grants, as well as eligibility guidelines and the application process are available on the MWMO website at www.mwmo.org.  You can also always feel free to contact my office at 612-673-2201 or kevin.reich@minneapolismn.gov with any questions.