The City of Petersburg has received the gold level certification in the 2014 “Go Green VA Challenge”, which is part of the Virginia Municipal League’s (VML) larger “Go Green Virginia” environmental initiative. The award was recently presented to the City at VML’s annual conference in October. This is the third year that Petersburg has received a certification from VML’s Green Government Challenge. Mayor Brian A. Moore, in turn, will present the award to Petersburg’s Department of Public Works at the November 25, 2014 City Council meeting.
“This recognition demonstrates the City’s commitment to create a more livable and sustainable community to meet future generation’s needs. We will continue to develop policies that protects the environment and creates a healthy community,” says City Manager, William E. Johnson III.
VML’s gold-level certification is awarded to localities scoring more than 150 out of 200 possible points. Last year the City was recognized as silver level certified “Green Government”. The initiative is designed to encourage implementation of specific environmental policies and actions that reduce carbon emissions generated by both local government and the community. Petersburg earned the award for many initiatives including:
• Performed an Energy Efficiency study of the City’s Facilities to develop an Energy Improvement Plan which will reduce greenhouse gas emission and provide an energy guarantee savings related for the maintenance and operations of water, lighting, HVAC and roofing; and
• Adopted a policy of LEED Certification for all public facilities for construction and renovations; and
• Implemented a City-wide recycling collection program with Container First Services LEED certified recycling program; and
• Adopted a Green Fleet Policy to reduce twenty percent of the City’s annual usage of petroleum by January 2018; and
• Completion of the Virginia Tech’s Environmental and Sustainability Management System Training Program (ESMS) to develop best practices to reduce environmental impacts and increase operating efficiency; and
• Removed 12-traffic signals that reduces fuel and greenhouse gas emission and electricity cost; and
• Petersburg Area Transit and GRTC partner to open a RideFinders Petersburg Satellite Office to help promote transit, carpooling, vanpooling, and biking; and
• Added 5-miles of new bike lanes as part of the City’s annual pavement schedule; and
• Replacing 11,500 water meters with Automated Meter Reading System (AMR) to improve conservation of water and reduce vehicle emissions by 9 tons of carbon dioxide.
For more information on City services and schedules please visit www.petersburgva.gov.