Portland, ME

Mayor: Ed Suslovic

Date of Adoption:
2006-06-28

Why My City is Cool

Portland has been taking steps to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions prior to committing to the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement in June of 2006. Its Metro fleet now consists of 13 compressed natural gas buses, almost half of the total fleet. The city implemented a ""no-idiling"" policy in January, 2006, for municipal vehicles, including school buses, which . The city has updated its greenhouse gas audit and published the Sustainable Task Force Report. The Portland Municipal Climate Change Working Group developed a Climate Action Plan, providing general recommendations for the City, including the creation of a "GREEN TEAM", developing a plan to help city employees become more energy-aware, foster student support through educational and informational events, develop an environmental-prefered procurement policy, update the City's emissions inventory, conduct public outreach regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, perform city-wide energy audits, upgrade lighting, HVAC and water systems in existing buildings, adopt a comprehensive energy policy for the City, adopt green building standards for City buildings, purchase renewable energy, along with other goals regarding transportation, street lighting, and water and sewer. Mayor Suslovic chairs the Energy and Sustainability Committee, which is addressing the recommendations of the Climate Action Plan.

Links:
http://www.portlandmaine.gov/energy.htm

http://www.portlandmaine.gov/clmateactionplan.pdf

http://www.portlandmaine.gov/sustainableportlandreportdraft.pdf

Milestones Completed (about)

Milestone 1: Establish Campaign COMPLETE

Convene a Cool Cities campaign team of 3-7 activist volunteers
Write a city profile on the Cool Cities website

Milestone 2: Engage The Community

Milestone 3: City Signs Agreement COMPLETE

Municipality makes formal commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (US: Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement or Cool Counties Agreement. Canada: Canadian Partners for Climate Protection)

Milestone 4: Initial Solution Steps COMPLETE

City establishes committee to create local climate action plan
Hold a media event applauding your mayor's commitment
City initiates early implementation actions (e.g. energy efficient light bulbs at city offices)
City performs an audit of city operations
City establishes action plan for city operations

Milestone 5: Advanced Smart Energy Solutions IN PROGRESS

City adopts energy efficiency policies (e.g. energy efficient street lights, green building standards)
City adopts green vehicles policy (e.g. purchases hybrid vehicles for city fleet)
City adopts other global warming reduction policies (e.g. no-idling, Energy Star appliance purchasing)
City supports state action to reduce greenhouse gasses (e.g. net metering)


News & Announcements

Links

Register to the Sierra Club's social networking site, Climate Crossroads, and join the Cool Cities group to view blog entries, read about happenings in your city, and connect with other members

Join the Cool Cities group on Climate Crossroads!

Provides step-by-step guidance and resources for municipal governments to become more sustainable

Learn more about the Green Playbook