1 Spring 2020 Newsletter - Laserfiche WebLink

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u.: A MESSAGE FROM MAYOR STOLZMANN This spring marks the 50th anni- versary of Earth Day. While there have been some notable accom- plishments in the last half century, tremendously significant hurdles remain. If we want to make signifi- cant progress we need to continue to integrate sustainable solutions into our everyday practices. To do that, City Council, residents, and businesses are taking action. This January, City Council moved all City facilities to 100% renewable electricity sources. Our residents have decreased the amount of waste we send to the landfill; according to The State of Recycling in Colo- rado 2019 report, we surpassed Boulder in our residen- tial waste diversion rate and are now second best in the State (with Loveland in the lead). Many of our local businesses have been recognized with Green Business Awards as they go the extra step to reduce their envi- ronmental impacts. These steps are a good start, but we need even more community participation to accomplish all the objec- tives in our Louisville Sustainability Action Plan to ensure that future generations have a healthy ,sus- tainable community. In this newsletter, you will read about more ways you can join in the effort. The Mayor's 2020 Resolution At the beginning of the year, I asked Louisville resi- dents to join me in a New Year's Resolution called '20 & 20 in 2020': 1. Visit 20 local businesses in 2020 - this could be any- thing from a store to a cafe to a local accountant. 2. Make 20 trips without the car in 2020 - try and swap the car for walking, cycling, or public transport at least 20 times this year. And I'm delighted to report that, for once, I have actu- ally accomplished my New Year's Resolution, trying new businesses and exploring our city using my elec- tric bike and the bus. Since much of 2020 remains, I've increased my resolu- tion, and will be visiting all of the local businesses that have been awarded the Green Business Award (listed on page 3). The best part of the'20 & 20 in 2020 Resolution' has been hearing about your progress so I'd still love to hear how everyone is doing. Please keep sending me your updates at AshleyS@LouisvilleCO.gov or give me a call 303.570.9614. RENEWABLES GOAL ACHIEVED 5 YEARS EARLY In 2019, the previous City Council unanimously agreed to the following renewable energy and carbon emis- sion reduction goals for the City and the community: Municipal Goals • Meet all of Louisville's municipal electric needs with 100% carbon -free sources by 2025. • Reduce core municipal greenhouse gas emissions annually below the 2016 baseline through 2025. Community Proposed Goals • Generate 75% of Louisville's residential and com- mercial/industrial electric needs from carbon -free sources by 2030. • Reduce core community greenhouse emissions an- nually below the 2016 baseline through 2030. In January, the City achieved the first of these goals -- five years ahead of schedule -- by meeting all of Louis- ville's municipal electric needs with 100% carbon -free sources. In order to achieve the rest of its ambitious goals, the City is developing a plan to reduce internal energy consumption, increase adoption of carbon -free ener- gy, increase energy efficiency in residential and com- mercial/industrial buildings, and ensure that Louisville residents and businesses have opportunities to access carbon -free energy. To achieve the goals, all sectors of the community will be engaged and educated on programs and resources available and kept informed on progress made. For more info, visit LouisvilleCO.gov/Sustainability or contact Katie Baum, Sustainability Specialist by email KBaum@LouisvilleCO.gov or phone 303.335.4534. EARTH DAY CLEAN UP EVENT - APRIL 22 Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day by assisting with a clean up on Open Space. Volunteers will meet at Community Park (Bella Vista Drive and Front Street) at 11 am and walk to nearby Open Space to help clean up. Volunteers should wear closed -toe shoes and sun protection. Please RSVP for this free event so that the Open Space Team knows how many people to expect. Visit LouisvilleCO.gov/Calendar for registration details or call 303.335.4735. Page 2 • Spring 2020