Is Tulsa Moving Toward Becoming More Sustainable? February 2009 Mary McIntyre Coley City of Tulsa Communication Officer Member - The Mayor’s Green Team

Definitions:  Sustainability – the use of resources so that their availability and/or usefulness to future generations is not compromised or diminished  Environmental Footprint – the comprehensive resource requirements of an individual, city or country (Water, energy, clothing, transportation, food, stuff)

History  July 2001 –Mayor Susan Savage creates an energy policy.  – Mayor LaFortune continues to request an annual “plan,” primarily in the form of reports from Public Works sections.  2006 – Kathy Taylor elected Mayor, joins the Blue Skyways Collaborative.

Internal Policies in place  Zero idling plan  Employee policies regarding electricity usage and lighting  City policies encouraging recycling  Ozone Alert plan and directives to employees

Moving toward Sustainability  Mayor Taylor signs four agreements to accept grant money from OK Dept. of Transportation related to the use of Compressed Natural Gas in municipal vehicles.  Mayor Taylor is the 500 th signee of the US Conference of Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement.

January  Mayor Taylor announces the ReGreen Tulsa program to replace trees devastated by the Dec. 09 ice storm.  Goal: 20,000 trees by 2010.

2008- April – The Green Team  Mayor appoints team of citizens to lead city- wide green efforts, The Green Team. Co-chairs: Michael Patton, the M.e.t. Sean Griffin, Vizalution  Mayor announces a City of Tulsa website focusing on “green” efforts – BeGreen Tulsa.

2008 – May – EC and S Team Formed  Internal team begins weekly meetings: Energy Conservation and Sustainability Team. Members: Public Works  Administration  Public Facilities – Building Operations  Environmental Operations  Solid Waste Management Communications Purchasing Equipment Management Planning

2008 – July – new City Hall - OTC  City of Tulsa employees begin relocation to City Hall at One Technology Center.  Benefits: More efficient use of space (reduced space by 20% due to consolidation. Energy savings (consumers 30% less) Reduced annual operating costs Elimination of environmental and air quality concerns at old City Hall.

2008 – July – EC & S Team Plan  Energy Conservation and Sustainability Team submits a draft Sustainability Strategic Plan to Mayor Taylor, outlining Goals and Objectives

2008 – July – Green Traveler Portal  The City opens an internal “portal” to INCOG’s Green Traveler website, allowing employees easy access to the Green Traveler program. Carpool match Energy-savings calculator City Trail and bus line information

general  City becomes an Energy Star member (ways to reduce energy)  City becomes a Waste-Wise member (ways to increase diversion rates and recycling)  City becomes a Water Sense member (ways to promote water conservation)  City requests membership in ICLEI.

Sustainability Advisor  December 2008 – Mayor Taylor appoints Brett Fidler as her Special Advisor for Sustainability issues.  Fidler also serves as Conservation Director for the Tulsa Zoo, and has developed successful recycling and sustainability programs at the Tulsa Zoo.  Fidler’s Sustainability Plan is due to the Mayor on April 1, 2009.

Green Fleet on the Street  24 City of Tulsa vehicles are on the street featuring either hybrid technology or use of CNG as primary fuel.  89 such vehicles were ordered in 2008.

What’s Next?  Action Steps for Energy Conservation and Sustainability Team’s Strategic Plan (2008) to Mayor by March 1,  Report from Sustainability Advisor – to Mayor on April 1, 2009.

Local Sustainability Partners  Mayor’s Green Team  Sustainable Tulsa  Sustainable Green Country  TYPROs Sustainability Team  Sierra Club of Green Country  Local Chapter, AIA – COTE

Greening the (918) Programs (Sustainable Tulsa and Mayor’s Green Team)  What it is: A monthly seminar series featuring topics of interest to Tulsans  Start date: October 2008  Programs to date: November 2008 “Green Building” January 2009 “Local Foods and Sustainable Agriculture” – rescheduled

Greening the (918) Programs 2009  February 2009 – Alternative Transportation  March 2009 – Ecological Footprint - Citywide  April 2009 – Green Space  May 2009 – Solid Waste Management and Reduction  June 2009 – Local Foods and Sustainable Agriculture (rescheduled from January)  July 2009 – Water Quality and Conservation

Greening the (918) Programs continued  August 2009 – Green Energy  September 2009 – Sustainable Economic Prosperity  October 2009 – Keeping Communication on Green Issues Transparent

Go Green Conference (Tulsa architects and Mayor’s Green Team)  Held September 2009  Audience: Low to mid- income individuals and families Regional architects (continuing education credits)  Topics: Reducing expenses by going “green” “Green” Remodeling projects

Thank You for the Opportunity!