Boston Hosts Green Building Conference

Last month, the US Green Building Council’s Greenbuild International Conference brought 30,000 architects, designers, planners, manufacturers, builders and government officials to Boston for the biggest yearly gathering of green building professionals in North America. Mayor Thomas M. Menino kicked off the Greenbuild International Conference by calling for the designation of Government Center as a “Green Growth District.”   Mayor Menino outlined his vision to encourage a new paradigm for growth and economic development that will add vitality to the area and incorporate the latest thinking in sustainability.  

At a public event at the Boston Public Library, Environmental and Energy Services Chief Jim Hunt and BRA Chief Planner Kairos Shen outlined how the city created the foundation of its sustainability agenda and discussed future plans to over a 200 local residents and Greenbuild participants.

Give a "Green" Gift for the Holidays

For a unique and green gift this holiday season, consider donating to the City of Boston's tree-planting initiative in the name of someone on your list. The City's tree fund supports Grow Boston Greener, a campaign to plant 100,000 new trees in the city by year 2020. 

Green Jobs

As a component of his green jobs training program, Mayor Menino recently announced the award of a $125,000 grant to the Asian American Civic Association (AACA) in partnership with the Asian Community Development Corporation for their Facilities Maintenance Energy Efficiency training program.  AACA recruited an impressive list of partners including CJ/CMJ Management Company, Cornu Management Company, Maloney Properties, Winn Residential, the Hilton Back Bay Hotel, and the Lenox Hotel.  The partners assisted in creating the curriculum and have agreed to interview all program graduates.  Mayor Menino said, "Despite the downturn in the economy, the City needs to be ahead of the curve and prepare residents now for he next wave of jobs, many of which will be generated by new technologies created in a green economy."   Read more about the Mayor's Green Jobs Announcement.

Boston Green Awards: Get Rewarded for Being Green!

Once again, it is time to nominate local businesses and community members for Boston’s Green Awards.  These awards will encourage Boston businesses and residents to engage in environmentally sustainable practices, learn more about environmentally sustainable practices and initiate their own sustainability efforts and programs.

Please visit the 2009 Boston Green Awards Web site to learn more about the nomination process, award catergories (including a bike-friendly business recognition catergory) and to nominate local businesses and residents. The deadline is February 13, 2009.  Look back on past winners from 2007 and 2008 to see organizations and individuals committed to improving Boston’s local communities through sustainable practices and initiatives.

Mayor’s Food + Fuel Campaign

With the downturn in the economy, this winter many Boston families are facing difficult choices between heating their homes and feeding their families. To assist residents in getting prepared, Mayor Menino began his Food + Fuel Campaign this summer.  This partnership of government, businesses, and non-profit organizations was formed to help residents and small businesses address the rising costs of food and fuel.  As part of this effort, the Mayor recently hosted a Food and Fuel Summit at Madison Park High School in Roxbury where 1,000 residents learned about food programs, healthy cooking, fuel assistance, weatherization and ways to help others.  To learn about upcoming neighborhood and assistance programs, visit the Mayor’s Food + Fuel Campaign.

You can help this winter by making a donation to the Mayor’s Food + Fuel Campaign through Community Support Fund, a collaborative effort with United Way.  100 percent of your donation will support families in need.

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please call the Mayor's Hotline at 617-635-4500.

Boston Buying Power Initiative

In November, Mayor Menino launched Boston Buying Power, a program which is designed to harness the buying power of the small business sector.  Designed by the City's Department of Neighborhood Development, Boston Buying Power allows small businesses to benefit from competitive electricity and natural gas rates.

Boston Buying Power participants will still pay their suppliers for delivery but will pay less for the energy itself, because the partnership will access the energy market directly through experienced wholesale market negotiators.  In addition to the procurement of energy, Boston Buying Power will also allow businesses to connect to programs and services that will help them to reduce and manage their consumption of gas and electricity.

 Interested in going Solar??         Visit the City of Boston’s interactive solar map!

Boston’s Solar Map can help you explore the city’s solar energy capacities, plan your own projects, or get a sense of how local buildings use solar panels.  It has a number of useful tools and interactive views and case studies.  For additional information, visit Solar Boston. 

          Compact Fluorescent Lighting :          Don’t Throw Them in the Trash!

Since May 1, 2008, Massachusetts homes and businesses can no longer throw compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) in the garbage.  These types of bulbs must now be recycled. Fortunately, it is easy for residents and business owners to find information and assistance in recycling these types of materials.

Retailers such as Home Depot, Whole Foods and IKEA recycle these bulbs for free.  The City of Boston also recycles these bulbs through its Hazardous Waste Collection Program twice a year, accepting all fluorescent lamps.  The EPA has an excellent Web site on CFLs and additional recycling locations.

Community Climate Action and Air Quality Grants Program

The City of Boston is now accepting proposals for the second round of this year's Community Climate Action and Air Quality Grants program.  Boston residents, businesses, and non-profit organizations may submit proposals on a rolling basis for grants of up to $24,999 for projects that encourage and support reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving energy. The purpose of the funding is to reduce air pollution that contributes to global climate change.

For more information, contact the Air Pollution Control Commission at 617.635.3850 or visit the Community Climate Action and Air Quality Grants Web page.

Boston moves up to the 6th most sustainable city in new SustainLane.com survey

SustainLane.com has ranked Boston sixth in the nation for sustainability, one spot higher than last year. The study cites Mayor Thomas Menino’s executive order on climate action, including a call for a 10-percent increase in recycling by 2012. The study also took into consideration new zoning laws requiring LEED certification for certain developments, a requirement that all taxicabs go hybrid by 2015, and a mandate to assess all city buildings for alternative energy potential. Boston was also made the 3rd Greenest City in North America by Popular Science magazine earlier this year.

Events

On December 15, the Mayor’s Annual Homeless Census
Teams of volunteers will join the Mayor for a homeless street count. The census provides critical information on the scope of the problem of homelessness in the city. If interested, sign up for the Homeless Census.

Happy Holidays to all.