Is Tulsa Moving Toward Becoming More Sustainable?

February 2009

Mary McIntyre Coley

City of Tulsa Communication OfficerMember - 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.

2002-2006 – 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

2007 - 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 500th signee of the US Conference of Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement.

2008 - 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. www.BeGreenTulsa.com

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

2008 - 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, 2009.

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 2009 - 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!