Partnership for Local Action United States Environmental i^otfiriion Agency November 2010 EPA Region 8 is offering a short-term opportunity for municipalities to improve community sustainability and achieve multiple benefits. Through this unique opportunity, EPA will work with participants to design an initiative, program, or project, and partner them with a mentor municipality and graduate students to assist with implementation. Possible activities: Reduce energy use and achieve cost savings through energy efficiency retrofits. Implement an anti-idling policy for improved local air quality. Develop and implement a plan for addressing leaks in water distribution systems and save on water treatment costs. Who Can Participate? EPA invites Region 8 municipalities with populations of 50,000 and under to participate in the Partnership. Just complete the online Expression of Interest Form at: www.epa.gov/region8/pla.html. You will be asked to identify a target area (energy, water, or waste) of interest for an activity. The Partnership will be limited to a maximum of 10 municipalities, and there is no cost for participation. How Does the Partnership Work? EPA will work with participants to identify and develop activities, and partner municipalities with a mentor municipality that has demonstrated effectiveness in the target area. EPA will also partner participants with graduate students to assist with implementation. What Will Happen During the Partnership? After a municipality fills out the Expression of Interest Form, EPA staff will then coordinate pre-registration meetings to share ideas, discuss goals and objectives, and explore partnership opportunities. After the pre-registration meeting, if both parties agree to move forward, participants will be asked to register and EPA will initiate the mentor/participant relationship. Throughout the effort, EPA will provide assistance and recommendations to ensure participants are reaching their goals. EPA will offer opportunities for participants to publicize successes throughout the Partnership. Additionally, participants will receive special recognition from EPA for their efforts. How to Participate 1. Fill out the Expression of Interest Form online at: www.epa.gov/region8/pla.html. 2. Complete a pre-registration meeting with EPA. 3. Identify a main point of contact for the duration of the Partnership. 4. Commit to take part in one or more activities specially designed to meet community goals. 5. Develop an implementation plan to achieve goals based on a set schedule. 6. Establish a baseline for generation, consumption, or performance under the relevant focus area. 7. Provide status updates to EPA and other partners on a periodic basis. 8. Create an institutional change that will anchor sustainability efforts for the long-term. 9. Measure progress, and develop and share success stories. United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8 • Office of Partnerships and Regulatory Assistance • November 2010 • www.epa.gov/region8 ------- Example Participant Activities With the support of mentor municipalities and graduate students, EPA will work with participants to design an initiative, program, or project to meet community goals, provide assistance and recommendations during implementation, and offer opportunities to publicize success and gain recognition. Below are just a few examples of activities municipalities might consider. Choices are not limited to only these options! We encourage creative projects designed to achieve multiple municipal goals. Sample Activities • Plan, design, and implement an energy efficiency improvement program for municipal operations. • Benchmark current performance of municipal buildings and/or water systems. • Create a Building Energy Management Program in all public facilities. • Implement a green fleet program. • Launch an electronics recycling program for municipal equipment. • Establish a program for salvaging or reusing construction or demolition waste. • Implement a compost collection program or create a drop-off site. • Institute a Pay-As-You-Throw policy. • Increase recycling efforts in public places such as parks, stadiums, and convention centers. • Create a water conservation plan which includes water use goals, practices, and evaluation processes. • Develop a sustainable water management program. • Install water conservation fixtures in municipal buildings. • Develop and implement a plan for addressing leaks in water distribution systems. • Establish an LED traffic signal retrofit program. EPA Programs and Initiatives The following EPA programs and initiatives may assist participants in advancing sustainability goals. WaterSense www.epa.gov/WaterSense Sustainable Water Infrastructure www.water.epa.gov/infrastructure/sustain/index.cfm ENERGY STAR® www.energvstar.gov/index.cfm ?c=government.bus government National Clean Diesel Campaign http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/ GreenScapes http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/ rrr/greenscapes/l rgscl .htm Waste Wise www.epa.gov/epawaste/partnershi ps/wa stewi se Recycle on the Go www.epa.gov/wastes/conserve/rrr/rogo/ State Electronics Challenge http://www.stateelectronicschallenge.net/faq.html Industrial Materials Recycling http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/rrr/imr/index.htm EPA's State and Local Climate and Energy Program http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/local/index.html Demonstrate your environmental leadership and join the Partnership today! To join the Partnership Fill out the Expression of Interest Form on our website at: www.epa.gov/region8/pla.html Contact Abby L. Fulton at: fulton.abby@epa.gov (303)312-6563 for more information. ------- |