Sustainability in Broward County, FL€¦ · Water Use and Conservation Energy Transportation Built Environment Waste Reduction and Recycling Comprehensive Planning Adaptation Planning

Sustainability in Broward County, FloridaLocal Governments in Action

Broward County Energy & Sustainability ProgramNatural Resources Planning and Management DivisionAn Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Supported Activity

I

Table of Contents

• Objective.......................................................................................................... page1

• Participants....................................................................................................... page1

• Scope............................................................................................................... page2

• KeyFindings...................................................................................................... page2

• ResultsandAnalysis........................................................................................... page3

• GeneralProgramInformation................................................................... page3

• GreenhouseGasMitigation..................................................................... page6

• WaterUseandConservation.................................................................... page7

• Energy.................................................................................................... page8

• Transportation....................................................................................... page10

• BuiltEnvironment................................................................................... page11

• WasteReductionandRecycling............................................................... page12

• ComprehensivePlanning........................................................................ page13

• AdaptationPlanning.............................................................................. page13

• NextSteps............................................................................................. page15

• AreasforFutureCommunity-wideCollaborationandProgramAdvancement.............................................................................. page15

• Conclusion..................................................................................................... page18

• Appendix A: Survey Participant Contact List

• Appendix B: Matrix of Municipal Green Initiatives

• Appendix C: Full Survey Responses

On the Cover:SolarpanelarrayatTDBankinFortLauderdale,volunteersatBroward’s2011WaterMattersDay,newBrowardCountyTransithybrid-electricarticulatedbus.”

Broward County Energy and Sustainability Program2011 Municipal Green Initiatives Survey Summary Report

Objective

AspartofBrowardCounty’sEnergyandSustainabilityProgrameffortsrelatedtotheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy’sEnergyEfficiencyandConservationBlockgrantactivities,anonlinesurveywasdistributedtothe31municipalitieswithinBrowardCounty’sgeographicbordersonMarch9,2011.Thepurposeofthe2011MunicipalGreenInitiativesSurveywastogainagreaterunderstandingofthescopeanddiversityofenergyefficiencyinitiativesandsustainabilityrelatedprogramsimplementedthroughouttheCounty.

Thisreportsummarizestheoutcomeofthesurveyandhighlightsbestpracticesundertakenbymunicipalandcountygovernments.Thefirstsectionfocusesonkeyfindings.Inthenextsection,amoredetaileddescriptionoftheresultsofeachsurveytopicareaiscovered,includinghighlightsofsomeoftheinitiativesandbestpracticesfromtherespondingcities.Inthelastsection,areasforfuturecommunity-widecollaborationandprogramadvancementarediscussed.Thereportisfollowedbythreeappendicescontainingthecontactinformationofsurveyparticipants,atableofspecificinitiativesoractionstakenpermunicipalityandthecompleteresponsesforeachquestioninthesurvey.

Surveyresults,resourcelinksandexamplesofbestpracticeswillbeavailablethroughanonlineclearinghousecurrentlyunderdevelopmentbytheCounty.ThemajorgoalsoftheEnergyandSustainabilityClearinghouseareto:

• GathertogetherexistingsustainabilityinformationandshareitwiththeparticipatingmunicipalitiesandBrowardcommunity

• Capture,celebrateandsharethecollectiveachievementsoflocalgovernment

• Createaplatformforcooperativelyadvancingenergyefficiencyandsustainabilityprograms

ParticipantsEachofBrowardCounty’s31municipalitiesparticipatedintheinformationgatheringprocessinitiatedbythe2011MunicipalGreenInitiativesSurvey.Priortothesurveybeingadministered,thepurposeandgoalsofthesurvey,thelikelyscope,anditscontextwithintheEnergyandSustainabilityProgramwerecommunicatedtostafffromeachofthemunicipalities.Variousdepartmentswithineachcitywereincluded,fromplanningandzoning,communitydevelopment,environmentalservices,etc.Thisprovidedabroadrangeofindividualsanddisciplinesfromeachmunicipalitytoserveasprimaryandsupportingrolesinthemunicipality’scollectiveresponsetothesurvey.OftheCounty’s31municipalities,28successfullycompletedandreturnedthesurvey,onemunicipalityhadlimitedparticipationandtwohadnogreeninitiativestoreport.ThesurveywasalsocompletedbyBrowardCountystaff,astotrulycaptureandreflectthescopeofenergyefficiencyinitiativesandsustainabilityeffortsundertakenbylocalgovernmentsthroughouttheentirecounty.

1

2

ScopeThedepthandbreadthofthe2011MunicipalGreenInitiativesSurvey(seeAppendixCforsurveyquestions)wassignificant,requiringadedicatedcommitmentfromtheidentifiedcontactsineachmunicipality.Fifty-fivequestionscovered10topicareas:

General Program Information

Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

Water Use and Conservation

Energy

Transportation

Built Environment

Waste Reduction and Recycling

Comprehensive Planning

Adaptation Planning

Next Steps

Theintentwastogainanunderstandingofwhatgeneralenergyefficiency,green,climateandsustainabilityprogramswerecurrentlyunderway,whatspecificactionsweretakenwithintheseprograms,whocouldreportonsuccessstoriesandhowcommonobstaclescouldbeovercomeintheplanningandimplementationoftheseinitiatives.Becausethesetypesofeffortstypicallyrequiretheattentionofmultiplestaffacrossmanydepartments,collectingdataprovedespeciallychallenging.Communicationandcoordinationbecameacriticalcomponentofadministeringthesurveysuccessfully.

Key Findings The2011MunicipalGreenInitiativesSurveycollectedquantifiable/comparableinformationthroughstructuredresponsequestions,andqualitativeinformationtoidentifybestpracticesanddiscusschallengesthroughopen-endedquestions.Thefollowingisasummaryofsomeofthekeyfindingsgleanedfromanalysisofthesurveyresults.

Ingeneral,mostsustainabilityinitiativesintheBrowardcommunityprioritizeeconomicdevelopment,protectionofresourcesandemissionsreductions.Theyweremostoftenfundedthroughthecities’generalfundsand/orfederalgrants.Thefourtopicareasmostcommonlycoveredbytheseinitiativesorprogramsarenativelandscaping,recyclingandwastemanagement,waterconservationandenergyefficiencyandconservation.

3

SpecificsustainabilityinitiativeswhereBrowardmunicipalitiesaremakingsignificantstridesincludeincreasinglocalenergyproductionandimprovingenergyefficiency.Overhalfofrespondentsreportedhavinginstalledsolarpanelsongovernmental/institutionalfacilities.Additionally,whilecitiesarereportingsignificantlyincreasingenergyefficiencythroughtechnology,programgoalsandphysicalretrofits,improvementisneededintrackingenergyusage,workingcollaborativelytosavemoneyandmovingtowardenergyindependenceasacommunity.

Manypositiveresponseswerereceivedregardingalternativetransportationimprovements,recyclinginitiativesandeffortstoreducethecarbonfootprintofwatertreatmentandsupply.Forexample,inthelastfiveyears,morethanhalfofrespondentsreportedaddingbiking/walkingtrailsormakingimprovementstobussheltersintheircity.Morethan80percenthaverecyclingatgovernmentfacilities,andthesamepercentagehaveimplementedcommunity-widesingle-streamorcomingledrecycling.Ofthecitieswhichoperateawaterorwastewatertreatmentfacility,13havetakensignificantstepstoaddressenergyuse.Someoftheseactionsinclude:energyaudits,equipmentupgrades,ordinanceswhichprohibitpotablewaterforirrigationandprogressivewaterreuseplans.

Sustainablebuildingdesignpracticesandreducingenergydemandinthebuiltenvironmentisanotherareainwhichlocalgovernmentsaremakingprogress.Abouthalfofrespondentsreportedofferingincentivesforgreenconstructionand,ofthemunicipalitiesthathaveupdatedtheircomprehensiveplansrecently,morethan80percenthaveincludedlanguagetoaddressenergyefficiencyandgreenhousegasreductionstrategies.

ManyarealsointerestedinworkingwithBrowardCountygovernmenttoplanforclimatechange.MorethanhalfwereawarethattheCountyisintheprocessofcreatingaClimateChangeElementforinclusionintotheBrowardCountyComprehensivePlan.Ninety-sevenpercentsaidthatatemplatewouldormaybeusefultotheminordertocreateaClimateChangeElementwithinthemunicipalComprehensivePlan.

Finally,whenaskedwhatsurveyparticipantswantedtocomeoutofthesurveyprocess,96percentwouldliketoseeanonlineclearinghouseofinformationdevelopedoninitiativesintheBrowardcommunity.Seventy-eightpercentsaidthattheywouldliketoparticipateinaseriesofworkshopsdedicatedtohighlightingbestmanagementpractice(BMPs)initiatedlocallyinourcommunity.

Results and Analysis

General Program Information

Main Objectives of Sustainability Initiatives

EconomicDevelopmentandProtectionofResourceswereequallyconsideredasthehighestpriorityofrespondents’sustainabilityobjectivesat53percent.

EmissionsReductionsrankedthethirdhighesthighpriorityat40percent,andClimatePreparednesswastheobjectivemostoftenchosenbyrespondentsasamediumpriority,at50percent.

4

Sustainability, Energy Conservation and Climate Change Actions Recently Taken

Withregardstoenergyconservation,climatechange,oroverallsustainability,almostthree-fourths(74percent)ofallrespondentshavepassedaresolutioninsupportofprogramsorinitiatives.

Morethanhalf(54percent)haveincluded“green”goals,objectivesandpolicesintoexistingplans,andnearlyhalf(45percent)haveestablishedaninternalgreencommitteeortaskforce.

Morethanonethirdofrespondents(35percent)haveappointedacitizenscommitteeoradvisorygreenteamandhavededicatedstafftothesustainabilityeffort.

Coalitions Joined and Commitments Pledged

ThemajorityofmunicipalitiesinBrowardCountyhavesignedtheU.S.Mayors’ClimateProtectionAgreement(77percent).

Morethanonethird(35percent)haveachievedaCommunityWildlifeHabitat/NatureScapeBrowarddesignation,andonequarter(25percent)arecertifiedasaFloridaGreenLocalGovernmentbytheFloridaGreenBuildingCoalition(FGBC).Additionally,almostone-fifth(19percent)participateinLocalGovernment’sforSustainability’s(ICLEI)CitiesforClimateProtection.

Local Government Highlight:

Lauderhillwasa2010HonorableMentionwinneroftheU.S.MayorsClimateProtectionAwardfortheirprogramandWebsite.Checkouttheirsustainableinitiativesandgreenprogramsbyvisitingwww.lauderhillgreen.com

5

Sustainability Programs Through the Broward Community Address a Number of Important Issues

Mostrespondents(68–75percent)reportedthattheirprogramsaddressfourmajorissues:

• NativeLandscaping• RecyclingandWasteManagement• WaterConservation/Reuse• EnergyEfficiencyandConservation

Morethanhalf(50–59percent)alsocitedthefollowingfouraspectsofsustainableplanning:

• UrbanCanopyandOpenSpace• GreenBuilding• CommunityEducation• PromotingAlternativeModesofTransportation

Asignificantnumber(25–46percent)alsoaddress:

• GreenPurchasing• ReducingVehicleMilesTraveled• AlternativeFuels• AirQuality• RenewableEnergyGeneration

How Local Governments are Funding their Sustainability Initiatives

MostmunicipalitiesinBrowardCountyareusingCityGeneralFundsand/orFederalGrantstofundtheirsustainabilityprograms(71percentand64percentrespectively).

Significantlyless,butstillanoteworthynumber,areemployingalternativestrategies,suchasStateGrants(25percent),CityEnterpriseFunds(21percent)and/orLocalGrants/ProjectCostShare(21percent)options.

Biggest Obstacles to Developing/ Implementing Sustainability Programs

Fundingwascitedbyrespondentsasthebiggestobstacletothedevelopmentand/orimplementationofsustainabilityprograms.

StafftimewasrankedthesecondbiggestobstacleandComplexityofIssuecameinasthethirdgreatestobstacle.

6

Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

TwentypercentofrespondentsreportedhavingdoneaGreenhouseGas(GHG)EmissionsInventoryfortheirmunicipality’sinternal/governmentoperationsand16percentreportedhavingcompletedonecity-wide.OfthosewhohavetakenstepstoinventorytheirGHGemissions,71percentusedtheCleanAirandClimateProtection(CACP)SoftwarebyICLEI,while29percentusedanothermethod,suchastheirowntrackingsoftware.Additionally,11respondentswereawarethatBrowardCountycompletedacommunity-wideGHGInventoryin2007,andsixalsoreportedusingthatinventoryintheirmunicipality’ssustainabilityplanning.

Whileworkremainstoachievethegoalofallmunicipalitiesperformingemissionstracking,manyhavealreadytakenstepstosequestercarbondioxideemissions.Two-thirdsofrespondents(20of30)reportedhavingincentivesorprogramsdedicatedtoincreasingtheurbanforestortreecanopy.Activitiesrangefromlandscapeordinancesandcodesforstreets,businesses,andneighborhoodstoeducationaleventsandcommunityorgrantsupportednativeplantsalesandtreegive-aways.

Local Government Highlight:TheCityofTamarac’s2010ClimateActionPlanincorporatesfindingsfromtheir2008Community-wideGreenhouseGasEmissionInventoryandtheir2008GovernmentGreenhouseGasInventory.

Theplansetsoutpoliciesandmeasuresthatthecitywillimplementtoreachareductionsgoalof7percentbelowthe2008baselineby2015.TheICLEICACPsoftwarewasusedtoprovideaspecificenergysavings(orwaterorfuelsavings)foreachmeasure.

Seethereportorvisit:http://publicagenda.tamarac.org/AttachmentViewer.aspx?AttachmentID=4923&ItemID=2301

Local Government Highlight:BrowardCounty’sNatureScapeprogramhascertifiedmorethan3,000yards,including88countyfacilities.TheseFlorida-friendlylandscapesincreaseoveralltreecanopy,reduceirrigationneedsandreduceGHGbyreducingtheamountofelectricalpowerneededtomaintainbuildingoperation.

TheCountyalsoprovidessignificanttrainingtothecommunity.Lastyearalone,387programsweregivento46,289participantsthroughouttheCounty,offeringeducationinNatureScapebestmanagementpracticesandFlorida-friendlylandscapesandhostingworkshopssuchastheHabitatStewardstrainings.TheseprogramslowerGHGemissionsbypromotingsustainablepracticesforadditionalcarbondioxidesequestrationandstorage.

7

Water Use and Conservation

Energy Conservation as a Function of Water Conservation

Waterandwastewatertreatmentplantsareoftenasignificantportionofamunicipality’senergyconsumption.Ofthecitiesthatoperateawaterorwastewatertreatmentfacility,13havetakensignificantstepstoaddressitsenergyuse.Ninerespondentsalsoreportedhavingcommunity-widewaterconservationstrategiesthatmightbebeneficialtosharewithotherparticipants.

Actionsrangefromenergyauditsandequipmentupgradestoordinancesthatprohibitpotablewaterforirrigationandprogressivewaterreuseplans.ThroughtheEnergyandSustainabilityProgram,BrowardCountyplanstocreatebothvirtualandface-to-faceopportunitiesforparticipantstosharesomeofthesebestpracticesandlessonedlearned,sothatwemightalladvanceinoureffortstomoreefficientlymanagetheseprecioussharedresources.

Local Government Highlight:TheCityofMiramarprohibitspotablewaterforirrigationthroughacityordinance.Miramaralso:

•Usesgrasscarpfishinsteadofchemicalsforweedcontrolmanagementinthecity’swaterways•Eliminatedtheplantingofannualsandusesonlydrought-tolerantplantsandtrees•RunsaResidentialPlumbingFixtureReplacementProgram(withSFWMDWaterSIPfunding)•Producesfourmilliongallonsperday(MGD)ofReclaimedWastewater.Toseemore

information,visit:www.ci.miramar.fl.us/green/docs/MiramarSustainability.pdf

Local Government Highlight:PompanoBeachUtilitiesDepartmenthasimplementedanumberofenergy-savingpracticesandupgrades,suchas:automaticmeterreading(AMR),FPLloadsharingprogram,installationofvehicletrackingsystems,leakdetectionprogramandwaterandsewerreliningprograms,andisimplementingotherssuchasvariablefrequencydrives(VFD)onpumpsandrefurbishingfiltersatthereuseplant.Inaddition,Pompano’swaterreusesystem(OASIS),providesapproximately

twomilliongallonsperday(MGD)ofirrigationwatertotheareaandhassavedmorethamtenbilliongallonsofBiscayneAquiferwatersince1989.UnderanewprograminpartnershipwithBrowardCounty,theCitywillconnectsingle-familyhomeownerstothereusesystematnocosttothehomeowner.TheCitywilltakecareofallplumbingworkandpermits.VisittheirnewWebsiteatwww.iCanWater.com

8

Energy

Government Operations Energy Usage

Participantsreportedanumberofstrategiesbeingemployedtoreducetheamountofenergyusedbygovernmentoperations.

Thetopstrategyusedtodecreaseenergyuseis:

• PurchaseEnergyStar,“green”orElectronicProductEnvironmentalAssessmentTool(EPEAT)certifiedequipmentwhenavailable(65percent)

Halfofallrespondents(50percent)alsoreportedusingthefollowingthreestrategiestodecreaseenergyusage:

•Purchasedalternativefuelvehicles•Conductedenergyauditsofgovernmentbuildings• Installedenergymanagementsystemstocontrolheatingandcooling(HVAC)inbuildings

Aboutathird(30-34percent)reportedsavingenergyby:

•Havingalternativefuelsavailabletotheirfleet• ITSolutions(likeservervirtualization)•Otherstrategies

Recent Energy Efficiency Upgrades/Retrofits of Government facilities and Services

Manysurveyparticipantsreportedcompletingenergyefficiencyupgradesorgovernmentfacilityretrofitsinthelastfiveyears.

ThetoptwoupgradeswereforHVACandOfficeLighting(72percentofrespondents).

ThenextmostpopularupgradeswereLow-flowWaterDevices,StreetlightsorotherExteriorLighting,andReflective/CoolRoofing(64percent,48percentand36percentrespectively).

9

Actions Taken to Increase Energy Production

Browardmunicipalitiesarealsomakingsignificantstridestowardincreasinglocalenergyproduction.

Morethanhalfofrespondents(54percent)reportedhavinginstalledsolarpanelsongovernmental/institutionalfacilities.

Amuchsmallerpercentage(7-15percent)reportedinstallingageothermalsystem,windturbineorhavingalong-termgoalforrenewableenergyproduction.

Theseactions,inadditiontofurtheradvancingtheuseofsolarenergy,shouldbetargetareasforincreasedfocusinourcommunityinthefuture.

Local Government Highlight:

CityofHollywood’sGreenSWEEP(SolarWindEnergyEfficiencyProject),includestheinstallationofsolarphotovoltaicpanels,windturbinesandnewreflectivecoolroofsatfourfacilities.Theseenergyefficientandrenewableenergytechnologies,alongwithotherenvironmentally-friendlypractices,weredemonstratedatakick-offeventwithelementarystudentsandtheCity’sMayorthisApril.Formoreinformation,visit

www.energysystemsgroup.com/hollywoodhttp://blog.energy.gov/blog/2011/05/13/hollywood-florida-celebrates-less-traditional-type-sweeps-week

10

Community Focused Energy Initiatives

Thesurveyshowswidespreadsupportforinitiativesthatpromoterenewableenergyproductionandthereductionofenergyconsumptioninthecommunity.Respondentsreportedemployingavarietyofstrategies.Theseinclude:

• Incentives,rebatesorgive-awaysofenergyefficientfixturesandappliances(37percent)

•Weatherizationassistance(26percent)

•Reducingregulatorybarrierstoresidentialrenewableenergyproduction(21percent)

•RevolvingLoanFundsforenergyefficiencyandrenewableenergyimprovements(16percent)

•Renewableenergydemonstrationprojects(10percent)

Local Government Highlight:ThroughtheCityofFortLauderdale’sSmartWattsProgram,FortLauderdaleresidentsmayqualifyforupto$1,000incashrebatesand$10,000inloansforthepurchaseandinstallationofheating,ventilationandair-conditioningsystems,solarorgason-demandwaterheaters,solarpanels,ENERGYSTARwindowsordoors,andinsulation.Inaddition,theCityofFortLauderdaleishostingaseriesofHomeEnergySaverWorkshops,inpartnershipwiththeMuseumofDiscoveryandScience,toeducateresidentsabouthowtoproactivelytakemeasurestosaveenergyintheirhomes.Workshopparticipantsevenreceivea$100tookkittoimproveenergyefficiency!

Forfurtherdetails,visitwww.fortlauderdale.gov/smartwatts

Transportation

Alternative Transportation Improvements

Inthelastfiveyears,morethanhalfofrespondentsreportedaddingbiking/walkingtrails(57percent)andmakingimprovementstobusshelters(53percent).

Morethanonethird(37percent)reportedaddingbikeparkingfacilitiesand/orexpandingdedicatedbikelanesonstreets.

Aboutonequarter(23percent)haveimprovedtheircitybusfleet,eitherbypurchasinghigherefficiency,hybrid,electricorbiodieselunits,orsomeothermeansofincreasingefficiency.

11

Creating more Walk-able Communities

Manyrespondentsalsoreportedmakingtargetedeffortstomaketransportationinfrastructuremorepedestrianfriendlyintheircommunity.Specifically,thetopthreeactionstakenwere:

•EnforcingStreet-TreeRequirements(45percent)

•WideningSidewalks(38percent)

•ReducingtheRequiredParkingStandard(31percent)

Local Government Highlight:DaniaBeachhasfourelectriccarchargingstationsinanewenvironmentallyfriendlyparkinggarage.

Toviewthevideo,visit:www.ci.dania-beach.fl.us/index.aspx?nid=1072

Local Government Highlight:BrowardCountyhaslaunchedaBikeSharingProgramwithaminimumof200bikesandassociatedbikesharestations,whichwillbeginoperationsinFall2011.AnagreementwithB-Cycle,LLCwasapprovedOctober26,2010,toestablishandmanagetheprogram.ThevendorandtheCountyhavebeenworkingcollaborativelywiththecitiesofPompanoBeach,FortLauderdale,andHollywoodtopermittheinitialstationlocations.

Checkouttheprogram’sFacebookpagebyvisiting:www.facebook.com/pages/Broward-B-cycle/111177855620574

Built Environment

Traditionalbuildinguseconsumes40percentofthetotalfossilenergyintheUnitesStates.Sustainablebuildingdesignpracticesreduceboththedemandforenergyandthecostsforbuildingoperation.Inordertopositivelyinfluencetheprivatesectortoundertakemoresustainablebuildingpractices,abouthalfofrespondents(45percent)reportedofferingincentivesforgreenconstruction,suchasincreaseddensityorheightallowances,streamlinedpermittingprocess,etc.Additionally,morethanhalfofrespondents(54percent)reportedbeingfamiliarwiththenewInternationalGreenConstructionCode(IGCC).

Localgovernmentscanimpacttheprivatesectorbeyondincentivesandregulation,byleadingbyexample.AccordingtoFloridastatestatutes,allneworretrofittedpubliclyfinancedbuildingsmustbeconstructedandmaintainedtomeettheUnitedStatesGreenBuildingCouncil(USGBC)LeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesign(LEED)ratingsystem,orasimilarnationally-recognized,high-performancegreenbuildingratingsystemstandard,asofJuly1,2008.Sofar,about26percentofsurveyrespondentsreportedhavingsome(1-6)government-ownedoroperatedbuildingsthatareLEEDrated.Astimegoesonandmorebuildingsarebuiltorretrofitted,thesenumbersshouldcontinuetoincrease.

Local Government Highlight:TheDaniaBeachPaulDeMaioLibraryisadesignbuildprojectbetweenBrowardCountyandtheCityofDaniaBeachthatconsistsof10,000squarefootlibrarydesignedtoachieveLEEDGoldCertification.

Photocredit:DaniaBeachCommunityRedevelopmentAgency

12

Waste Reduction and Recycling

Actions Taken to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

Surveyrespondentsaretakingavarietyofapproachestoreducewasteandmakerecyclingmoreavailableandefficientthroughoutthecommunity.

Thetoptwoactionstakenwithinlocalgovernmentare:

• RecyclingatGovernmentFacilities(83percent)

• ChangingWorkplaceBehavior(43percent)

Thetoptwoactionstakenonthecommunity-widescaleare:

• Single-streamorComingledRecycling(83percent)

• DivertingConstructionandDemolition(C&D)Debrisfromthelandfilltoamaterialsrecoveryfacility(MRF)(33percent)

Abouthalfofrespondentsreportedthattheirlocalgovernmentsencouragedrecyclinginthreeadditionalsectorsofthecommunity:Office/Workplace(62percent),Multi-familyResidential(50percent)andPublicEvents(43percent).Whilethefindingsarecertainlypositive,theseeffortswouldbemoresuccessfuliflocalgovernmentstookonevengreaterleadershiptomandateorenforceandprovidesupportforthesetypesofprograms.Thislevelofengagementiscurrentlyreportedbyonly7-25percentofrespondents.

Local Government Highlight:TheCityofLauderhillconstructedthefirstLEEDSilvercityhallinthesoutheasternUnitedStates.Theprojectservesasanexampletolocalresidentsandbusinessesofthecity’scommitmenttoenergyefficientconstructionthatpromoteshealthful,durable,affordableandenvironmentallysoundpractices.

Photocredit:CityofLauderhill

Local Government Highlight:HollywoodhasbeenusingarecyclingrewardprogramsinceFebruary2010.ThroughacontractwithRecycleBank,residentsearnpointsbasedontheamounttheyrecycle,whichcanthenberedeemedfordiscountsatlocalandnationalbusinesses.Hollywoodhasseena130percentincreaseinrecyclingcity-widesincetheprogram’sinception.WhileHollywoodwasthefirstcityinBrowardtoimplementtheprogram,othercitiesarenowconsideringadoption.Nextonline:CityofSunrise.Tolearnmore,visitwww.sunrisefl.gov/index.aspx?page=489

13

Comprehensive Planning

Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Reduction

TheCountyandmanymunicipalitieshavealreadyincludedenergyefficiencyandGreenhouseGasreductionstrategiesintheirlocalcomprehensiveplans,asrequiredbyFloridaHouseBill697asofJuly1,2008.Ofthe43percentwhohaveupdatedtheircomprehensiveplansrecently,83percentincludedtheenergyefficiencylanguagereferencedinHB697.Sixteenrespondentshavenotyetmadethechanges,butsaidthattechnicalassistancewouldbebeneficialtothemintheprocessofdoingso.

Climate Change Planning

BrowardCountyisintheprocessofcreatingaClimateChangeElementforinclusionintotheCountyComprehensivePlan.Abouttwo-thirds(63percent)ofrespondentswereawarethatthisactionwasbeingtaken,and97percentwouldormightfindatemplateusefulincreatingtheirownClimateChangeElement.

Adaptation Planning

Surveyparticipantswereaskedtoranktheirlevelofconcernregarding14potentialimpactsofclimatechangeonourlocalcommunity.

Ofthe27respondentswhoansweredthisquestion,10ormore(40percentorgreater)saidthatthefollowingimpactswere“ofgreatconcern:”

• Flooding/Stormwatermanagement

• Moreintensehurricanes

• Impactstopublicinfrastructure

• Salt-waterintrusionintotheaquifer

• Drought

• Sea-levelrise

• Impactstoprivateproperty

Additionalimpactsconsideredoftobeofmoderateconcernby10ormore(40percentorgreater)respondentswere:

• Impactstonaturalsystems

• Temperaturechanges

• Heatstress/Publichealth

• Price/availabilityofenergy

• Price/availabilityoffood

• Migrationofaffectedpopulation

14

Recent Investments in Climate Adaptation

Inplanningforclimatechange,manylocalgovernmentsinBrowardhavealreadybeguntotakeproactivestepstopreparefortheimpactsthroughstrategicadaptationplanning.

Eighty-threepercentofrespondentsreportmakingrecentinvestmentsinclimateadaptation.

Themostcommoninvestment,by73percentofrespondents,wasinStormwaterimprovements.

Thenextthreeinvestmentsreportedmostoftenwere:

• Beachrenourishment

• Raisingbasefloorelevations

• Consideringclimateimpactsinthelocation,designandconstructionofpublicinfrastructure

Local Government Highlight:CoconutCreekdevelopedaCityGreenPlanin2009,whichcoverssevenenvironmentalthemes:Energy,Water,UrbanDesign,UrbanNature,WasteReduction,Transportation,andClimateChange.

Theplanisdesignedtobeimplementedthroughaseriesofactionstepsovera10-yeartimeframe.Througheachactionstep,therearemeanstoconserveenergyandwater,reducewaste,improvecommunityparticipationanddemonstrateenvironmentalstewardship.Formoreinformation,visitwww.creekgov.net/green/plan.

15

Next Steps

Whenaskedwhatparticipantswantedtocomeoutofthesurveyprocess,96percentwouldliketoseedevelopedanOnlineClearinghouseofinformationoninitiativesintheBrowardCommunity,82percentwouldlikeaWrittenSummaryDocument(suchasthisreport),and82percentwouldliketohaveNetworkingOpportunitieswithotherenergyandsustainabilitymanagerswhoparticipatedintheprogram.

Onewaytocontinuetoshareinformationandcooperativelyadvanceenergyefficiencyandsustainabilityprogramsinourcommunityisthroughnetworkingandcollaboration.Inthesurveyresults,theresponseforthistypeofnextstepwasverypositive.Between37percentand59percentofrespondentssaidtheywouldbewillingtoparticipateinafull-dayorhalf-dayworkshop,and78percentsaidthattheywouldliketoparticipateinaseriesofworkshopsdedicatedtohighlightingbestmanagementpractice(BMPs)initiatedlocallyinourcommunity.

Thisdocumentservesasawrittenreport.Acontactlistofsurveyparticipantsisincludedinthisreport(AppendixA)asisamatrixofmunicipalgreeninitiatives(AppendixB).Anonlineclearinghouseiscurrentlyunderdevelopment.Allsurveyparticipantswillbenotifiedofthelaunchoftheclearinghouse,expectedsometimethesummerof2011.Beginninginfallof2011,aseriesofworkshopswillbecollaborativelyplannedandhostedbytheCountyandparticipatingmunicipalities.Theworkshopswillinitiallyfocusonstrategiesandopportunitiesidentifiedthroughthe2011MunicipalGreenInitiativesSurvey.

Areas for Future Community-wide Collaboration and Program Advancement Oneplacewecouldimproveasacommunityistrackingouremissionsasaprecursortosustainabilityplanning.Currently,20percentofmunicipalitieshaveconductedaGHGinventoryfortheirinternaloperations,and16percenthavecompletedacity-wideinventory.ThisisconsistentwiththelevelofparticipationinICLEIreported(about20percent),asconductingaGHGinventoryispartofthefirstmilestoneinICLEI’s“FiveMilestonesforSustainability.”Localgovernmentswhohavealreadyembarkedonthetaskoftrackingtheiremissionscancometogetherwithmunicipalitiesthathaveyettodoso,inordertosharetheirexperienceandadvice.TheCountyhasofferedtrainingsinGHGemissionsinventoryinginthepastandcouldpotentiallypresentadditionaltrainingthroughtheseriesofworkshopsthatwasrequestedinthesurveyresponses.

Whilelocalgovernmentsaresignificantlyincreasingenergyefficiencythroughtechnology,programgoalsandphysicalretrofitsandimprovements,improvementisneededintrackingenergyusage,workingcollaborativelytosavemoneyandmovingtowardenergyindependence.Threemechanismsthathavenotyetbeenfullyemployed,butholdthepotentialforproducingsignificantenergyandmonetarysavingsforlocalgovernments,are:

• Havinganenergymanageronstaff(7percentcurrentlydo)

• Partneringwithothercitiestodoaggregatedprocurementorcollaborativeagreementsofenergycontractsorenergyefficientproducts(15percentdo)

• Establishingalong-termgoalforrenewableenergyproductionaspartofalocalenergyportfolio(lessthan8percenthave)

Thesestrategiesshouldbefurtherexplored,wherepossible,intheBrowardcommunity.

16

Incorporatingsustainablebuildingdesignpracticesintotheplanning,constructionandoperationofthebuiltenvironmentisanothertopicworthyofincreasedfocus.TheBrowardcommunityoflocalgovernmentsaremakingprogressinreducingenergydemand,anditsassociatedcosts,butenhancedeffortsareneededtomakethebuiltenvironmentmoreecologicallyandeconomicallysustainable.

Abouthalfofrespondents(45percent)reportedofferingincentivesforgreenconstruction,andmorethanhalf(54percent)arefamiliarwiththenewInternationalGreenConstructionCode(IGCC).Thesetwostepscanprovidethebasisforfutureactionstopromote,influenceandregulatetheprivatesectortoincreasinglyadoptbestmanagementpractices.

Whilegovernmentsarealreadyleadingbyexample–allneworretrofittedpubliclyfinancedbuildingsinFloridamustbeLEEDcertified–Browardcandoevenmoretopositivelyaffectdevelopmentactivitiesinthebroadercommunity.Currently,14percentofrespondentsreportedhavingacommunity-widegoalforLEEDinprivateconstructionandlessthan8percentreportedhavinganenergydemandstandardforsiteplanreview.Thesetwostepshavegreatpotentialforwidespreadadoptionbymunicipalitiesinordertoadvancethecommongoalofcommunity-widesustainabilityandenergyreduction.

Local Government Highlight:CoconutCreekhasestablishedrenewableenergygoalsasacomponentoftheir2009CityGreenPlan.

Theseinclude:

• Achieveaminimumof40percentofenergyusefortheMainStreetProjectAreafromrenewableenergysourcesby2020orbycompletionofdevelopmentinMainStreet.

• Utilizeaminimumof10percentofpublicly-ownedlandforalternativeenergysourcesby2020.

• Increasetheuseofsolarpowerinresidentialareasby40percentby2020.

• ModifytheCity’sNeighborhoodEnhancementGrantProgrammakingrenewableenergyprojectseligibleforapplicationsubmittalwith50percentofallgrantstowardrenewableenergyprojectsby2020.

• Ensure20percentofgrantsreceivedbytheCityareforenergyconservationprojects.

Toviewtheplan,visitwww.creekgov.net/green/city_green_plan.pdf

17

Browardmunicipalitiesaremakingsignificantimprovementsintheavailabilityofrecyclingthroughoutthecommunity.Increasedeffortstoreducewasteandenergycanprovidetheadditionalbenefitofmakingourcommunitymoreclimateresilientaswell.Someinnovativeapproaches,currentlybeingemployedandnoteworthyfortheirpotentialtobeexpandedthroughoutthecommunity,aremakingcollectionfleetsmorefuelefficient,implementingarecyclingrewardsprogram(suchasRecycleBank),andreducinggarbagecollectiontoonceaweek(currentlyimplementedby17percent,10percent,and7percentofrespondents,respectively).

Anotheropportunitytoassistinthecommunity’sefforttoreducewaste–(whichisenergyintensiveinitscreation,collection,storageandtreatment)–istoimprovetheefficiencyofprocessingfoodscrapsandyardtrimmings.Currentlynorespondentsreportedhavingacommunity-wideefforttocollectorganicmaterialforcomposting.

Interestingly,LocalFoodSystemsisanissueaddressedby6percentofrespondent’ssustainabilityprograms.Thisaspectofsustainability,whilecommonlyoverlooked,isimportanttoconsiderfortworeasons:thehighlevelofcarbonemissionandfuelcostsassociatedwiththetransportationofnon-localfood,andtheneedtobuildcommunityresiliencyforpossiblesupplychallengesresultingfrom,oraggravatedby,climatechange.Coincidentally,96percentofrespondentsreportedhavingsomelevelofconcernovertheprice/availabilityoffoodasanimpactofclimatechange,with28percentreportingitasanissueofgreatconcern.

Oneofthemostimportantaspectsofasustainablecommunityisclimateresiliency.BrowardCountyanditslocalmunicipalitiesandpartneringagencieshavemadeprogressonbothmitigationandadaptationefforts.Planningforclimatechangeimpactsmustbeginimmediatelyaslocalimpacts,especiallyrelatedtosealevelrise,arealreadyoccurring.ThelatestLightDetectionandRanging(LiDAR)elevationdatashowsthatalmost29percentofBrowardCountyislessthanfivefeetabovesealevel,makingplanningtoadapttocontinuallyrisingseascritical.

Local Government Highlights:

• Hollywoodrecentlypassedacommunity-wideGreenBuildingOrdinancethatcontainsbothLEEDandFGBCprinciples.Theordinancepertainstonewconstructionandmajorrenovationsforbothresidentialandcommercialproperties.

Toviewthecode,lookforMandatorygreenbuildingpractices,§§151.150-151.159,visit:www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/Florida/holywood/titlexvlandusage/chapter151buildings?f=templates$fn=document-frame.htm$3.0#JD_151.010

• CoconutCreekhasaCommunity-wideLEEDGoalof50percentofnewconstructionthroughoutthecity,and100percentwithintheMainStreetProjectArea.

• TheTownofDavie’sGreenEnergyandEnvironmentalCommitteeisdevelopingaSouthFloridaGreenBuildingandSustainabilityChecklist.Specifictooursubtropicalclimate,uniquegeologyandhydrology;itwillserveasanonlinetooltobeutilizedduringthebuildingpermitprocess.

TheChecklistincludesprinciplesofsustainabilityandwillserveasabasisfromwhichtoextracttrainingandemploymentopportunities.Itisbeingdevelopedwiththeinputandcollaborationofmanyothermunicipalitiesintheregion.

18

Criticalpublicinfrastructure,includingbeaches,roadwaysandespeciallystormwaterdrainagetreatmentandconveyancesystems;havealreadybeguntoshowvulnerabilitiestothecurrentrateofriseofsealevel,extremerainfallandseasonalhightides.Accordingtothesurvey,only3percentto10percentofrespondentshaverecentlymadethefollowinginvestmentsinclimateadaptation:

• EncouragingdevelopmentawayfromCoastalHighHazardAreas(CHHA)

• Raisingroadbeds

• Conductingvulnerabilityanalysis

• Modelingfutureclimatescenarios

Localgovernmentsinthecoastalareascanworkcollaborativelytoaddresssomeoftheseissues.ThroughnewdirectionfromtheStatelegislature(163.3164(1),F.S.),“AdaptationActionAreas”(AAA)maybedesignatedinthecoastalmanagementelementofalocalgovernment’scomprehensiveplantoidentifyareasthatarevulnerabletocoastalfloodingandotherrelatedimpactsofrisingsealevels,forthepurposeofprioritizingfundingforinfrastructureneedsandadaptationplanning.

CoastalcommunitiesthroughoutBrowardandsoutheastFloridashouldconsideropportunitiestousetheAAAdesignationasameansofincorporatingpolicesandbestmanagementpracticesthatwillimprovetheresiliencyofourpopulation,infrastructureandnaturalsystemsfromtheimpactsofclimatechange.

Conclusion

The2011MunicipalGreenInitiativesSurveyprovidedanopportunitytobeginadialoguewithenergyandsustainabilitymanagersthroughouttheBrowardcommunity.Collectively,localgovernmentshavetakensignificantstridesandhaveabroadexperiencewithvariousaspectsforplanningandimplementingenergyconservationmeasuresandsustainabilityinitiatives.

Followingtherecommendationfromthesurvey,BrowardCounty’sEnergyandSustainabilityProgramwillworkcollaborativelywithits31municipalitiestoorganizeworkshopstoshareinformation,lessonslearnedandnewideasformakingthiscommunityanevenmoreenergyefficientandsustainableplacetolive.

19

Formoreinformation,contacttheBrowardCountyEnergy&SustainabilityProgram

Broward County Environmental Protectionand Growth Management Department

Natural Resources Planning and Management DivisionOneNorthUniversityDrivePlantation,FL33324-2038

954-519-1270

www.broward.org/NaturalResources

www.broward.org/gogreen

Acknowledgement:“ThismaterialisbaseduponworksupportedbytheU.S.DepartmentofEnergyandtheFloridaEnergyandClimateCommissionunder

AwardNumberDE-E0000800.”

Disclaimer:“ThisreportwaspreparedasanaccountofworksponsoredbyanagencyoftheUnitedStatesGovernment.NeithertheUnitedStatesGovernmentnoranyagency thereof,noranyof theiremployees,noranyof theircontractors,subcontractorsor theiremployees,makesanywarranty,expressorimplied,orassumesanylegalliabilityorresponsibilityfortheaccuracy,completeness,oranythirdparty’suseor theresultsofsuchuseofany information,apparatus,product,orprocessdisclosed,orrepresents that itsusewouldnot infringeprivatelyownedrights.Referencehereintoanyspecificcommercialproduct,process,orservicebytradename,trademark,manufacturer,orotherwise,doesnotnecessarilyconstituteorimplyitsendorsement,recommendation,orfavoringbytheUnitedStatesGovernmentoranyagencythereoforitscontractorsorsubcontractors.TheviewsandopinionsofauthorsexpressedhereindonotnecessarilystateorreflectthoseoftheUnitedStatesGovernmentoranyagencythereof.”