Meetings: 4th Thursday of every month
at 5:30 p.m. at the JC Hormel Nature Center
Bringing Together People and Organizations Concerned With Environmental Sustainability
Mission, Goals and Action Plan
Green Team #1 – Environmental Legislation and Coordination,
Of the Austin / Mower County Cool Community Partnership
Green Team Co chairs: Larry Dolphin, Ruth Klamm, Terry Dorsey, Linda Nemitz, Mark Owens, Michelle Holtorf
Officers of aces: Susan Hurm, President, Karen Sundal, Secretary
Mission
Act as the executive committee of Austin Coalition for the Environmental Sustainability (aces) which is a coalition of organizations, governments, and citizens who are committed to work together in multiple efforts to reduce our local carbon footprint as part of a larger statewide effort to reduce greenhouse gasses. Serve as the authoritative entity for signing agreements/contracts for aces and for all personnel decisions.
Track and influence environmental legislation and policy. Identify funding sources and programs which will assist Austin and Mower County reach State goals on greenhouse gas emission levels.
Goals
· Keep Green Teams working cooperatively and efficiently toward accomplishing action plans.
· Work with federal and state legislators and local political leaders in supporting policies and laws that assist with reaching State established goals for the reduction of greenhouse gasses.
· Establish a budget for aces and the Cool Community Partnership, identifying acquiring the financial resources necessary to fund the budget.
Action Plan
1. Communicate with, facilitate cooperation among and be responsible for the actions
of the Green Teams through the active involvement of all Green Team co-
2. Work with all Green Teams in creating, updating and then monitoring their action plans.
3. Constantly communicate with and assist our local federal congressional delegation and state legislators on matters that will assist us meet greenhouse gas reduction goals locally.
4. Communicate environmental policy, legislation and initiatives to all Green Teams and to the community.
5. Be responsible for all fundraising activities.
6. Be accountable for the expenditure of all funds.
7. Apply for and acquire grant funds from government, foundation, and private sources to meet program costs and to fund an internship or part time coordinator to assist in accomplishing action plans.
(OVER)
8. Acquire assistance and cooperation for all Green Teams from groups such as the Minnesota Environmental Partnership in areas such as grant writing, research and website development and maintenance.
Mach 27, 2008
Mission, Goals and Action Plan
Green Team #2 – Renewable Energy Programs
Of the Austin / Mower County Cool Community Partnership
Green Team Co chairs: Larry Dolphin, Ruth Klamm
Green Team Members: Kelly Lady, Seth Muir, Merlene Stiles, Jim Stiles, Chandler Stevens & Carmel Taylor
Mission
Provide general research services for Austin Coalition for Environmental Sustainability (aces) and develop and monitor programs to encourage alternative energy use and conservation which will result in Austin, Mower County and all of the communities within it to reach State goals on greenhouse gas emission levels.
Goals
· Assist the Government/Citizen Partnership Green Team #4 and local governments set and meet goals, and monitor progress in local efforts in reducing local greenhouse gas emission levels.
· Develop ideas and research policies and programs taking place in other areas that can be adopted or modified and utilized in Austin and Mower County.
· Research and encourage use of alternative energy methods (i.e. geothermal, wind, hydro, and solar) within the community / county with connections to the energy grid.
Action Plan
1. Research methods and offer assistance and technical support to Green Team #4 and local governments in their tasks of establishing baselines, conducting global warming emission inventories, and in monitoring local progress in meeting State goals on greenhouse gas emissions levels.
2. Identify and adapt Cool projects, initiatives, and programs from other areas and organizations that our community groups can adopt.
3. Provide research and usable information for the legislative efforts of the Environmental Legislation and Coordinating Green Team #1.
4. Provide research and usable information for public information efforts of the Citizen Initiatives Green Team #3.
5. Produce a list of projects and efforts to the Citizen Initiatives Green Team #3 that can be undertaken by local organizations and then provide the technical assistance that may be necessary to assist the project be successful.
6. Offer assistance to local governments and the Development Corporation of Austin in their efforts to create jobs in the area of alternative energy generation.
March 27, 2008
Mission, Goals and Action Plan
Green Team #3 – Citizen Initiatives
Of the Austin / Mower County Cool Community Partnership
Green Team Co chairs: Terry Dorsey, Linda Nemitz
Green Team Members: Susan Hurm, Terri, Bergstrom, Karen Sundal, Janet Farrell & Bob Wangsness
Mission
Inform, educate and assist by involving citizenry with implementing programs to encourage alternative energy use and conservation which will result in Austin / Mower County reaching State goals on greenhouse gas emission levels.
Goals
· Educate and involve all citizens in meeting State greenhouse gas reduction goals.
· Emphasize education, involvement and initiatives of students in meeting State greenhouse gas reduction goals.
· Involve civic and environmental organizations in meeting state greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Action Plan
1. Education initiatives.
a. Produce a Be Cool…Go Green! column in local newspapers to inform the citizenry about efforts of all Green Teams, to promote Cool projects and to report on progress in reaching goals.
b. Provide informational displays at county and energy fairs, and floats at parades. Identify other events or venues to promote Austin Coalition for Environmental Sustainability (aces) i.e. Austin’s Home & Garden Show etc.
c. Write and distribute Green news releases for papers, radio and TV stations. Publish articles in city, county, school district newsletter, newspapers and the Chamber newsletter in conjunction with the Audubon Society and Isaac Walton League offering energy conservation tips and ideas for the home and business.
d. Publish information about aces meetings and projects.
e. Maintain aces web site and promotional brochure. Connect aces web site to relevant links. i.e. Welcome Center, Convention and Visitor Bureau, County and Utilities websites.
2. Involve students at all levels in Green efforts.
a. Student Green Teams – organized student effort. Involve teachers.
b. Be Cool…Go Green! column in school newspapers to promote Cool Projects
(OVER)
c. Encourage adoption of programs like: Make your School Cool, Going Green is Cool, and Riding your Bike to School is Cool.
d. Encourage students to be involved in energy conservation, recycling and in “Greening” school buildings and their homes.
3. Encourage the involvement of the general public in Cool initiatives.
a. Encourage involvement in Austin Utilities programs and rebates (i.e. energy audits, and energy efficient appliances and bulbs).
b. Encourage citizen participation in programs and initiatives of Renewable Energy Programs Green Team #2 (i.e. ride the bus, carpool, bike or walk to work day).
c. New arrivals education: Provide recycling information and bins, energy-
d. Develop a promotional site for aces that connects to the MN Energy Challenge web site that encourages individuals, nonprofit organizations, churches, large and small business to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
4. Encourage civic and environmental organizations to actively participate in Be
Cool…Go Green efforts! Work with organizations such as Senior Center, Welcome Center,
Isaac Walton League, Audubon Society, Spruce Up Austin, Boys and Girls Scouts, League
of Women Voters, P9 Union, Industries, Chamber of Commerce, Habitat for Humanities,
KSMQ-
a. Encourage community groups to adopt Cool projects, initiatives and programs as identified by the Renewable Energy Programs Green Team #2.
b. Educate local business and industry and encourage them to be involved in Be Cool… Go Green! activities such as a Paper Purge Day in connection with Earth Day.
c. Assist businesses and industry participation in recycling and publicize how much is taken out of the waste stream. Review and clarify what forms of paper are recyclable.
5. Work with the Environmental Legislation and Coordinating Green Team #1 to fundraise by finding businesses to advertise in newspaper inserts educating the public about aces efforts, businesses efforts and what citizens can do.
March 28, 2008
Mission, Goals and Action Plan
Green Team #4 – Government/Citizen Partnership,
Of the Austin / Mower County Cool Community Partnership
Green Team Co chairs: Mark Owens, Michelle Holtorf
Green Team Members: Jim Hurm, Keith Barnes
Mission
Develop and manage the Comprehensive Energy Saving Plan by implementing programs to encourage alternative energy use and conservation which will result in Austin / Mower County reaching State goals on greenhouse gas emission levels.
Goals
· Implement the four Steps to becoming a “Cool City, County and Community.”
Step 1: Take the “Cool Cities” pledge to sign the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.
Step 2: Conduct a Global Warming Emission Inventory.
Step 3: Create a Solution Plan… a comprehensive energy-
Step 4: Implement and monitor progress
· Coordinate Austin and Mower County activities to assist in meeting the greenhouse gas reduction targets set in the Global Warming Mitigation Act of 2007… a reduction from 2005 levels of at least: 15 percent by 2015; 30 percent by 2025 and 80 percent by 2050.
Action Plan
1. Establish a “local government” Green Team which will then work with citizens to accomplish goals and the action plan of the Government/Citizen Partnership Green Team #4.
a. Identify policies and procedures local governments have already adopted… County, City, Austin Utilities, Schools.
b. Build contacts in each Mower County City. Encourage each to become a “Cool City” (Step 1).
c. Identify and recommend “low hanging fruit” – for each local government:
i. Policies and activities that have clear cost savings i.e. ant-
ii. Local government buildings and operations, i.e. energy efficient lighting, LED traffic signals, hybrid autos, energy efficient electronics and appliances.
iii. Education of local government employees on saving energy.
d. Include environmental stewardship in local governments’ mission/vision.
2. Work with the Renewable Energy Programs Green Team #2 to research and work on issues with and for local governments, including:
a. Wind generation – job creation and zoning issues.
b. Solar energy -
c. Use of small and large hydropower units.
3. Assist local government conduct a citywide Greenhouse Gas Inventory (Step 2).
a. Identify sources and likely areas of reduction.
b. Seek assistance from the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI).
4. Assist local governments with benchmarking government buildings through a cost free ENERGY STAR program associated with the National Association of Counties.
5. Create and assist local governments adopt a Solution Plan… a comprehensive energy savings plan (Step 3) to assist the State of Minnesota reach its greenhouse gas reduction targets.
a. Green vehicle solutions
b. Energy efficiency solutions
c. Develop a Green Checklist (LEED Standard) for public buildings and projects.
d. Renewable energy solutions.
6. Work with the Citizen Initiatives Green Team # 3 to promote and implement the Solution Plan and to report on progress to local government boards and to citizens (Step 4).
March 27, 2008