2010

VOLUNTEER
GUIDE
http://coolcitiesde.us
 COOL CITIES DELAWARE
ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND
CLIMATE PROTECTION FOR ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

2010
VOLUNTEER GUIDE

Revised March 1, 2010

Sierra Club
Delaware Chapter
Cool Cities Program
http://coolcitiesde.us

Prepared by Amy Roe and Ron Zink

Table of Contents
Campaign Background.................................................................................. 1
Program Objectives ............................................................................. 1
Cool Cities............................................................................................ 2
Cool Counties....................................................................................... 2
Delaware – a State of Risk .................................................................. 3
The Cool Cities Strategy...................................................................... 7
U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement........................................ 8
U.S. Cool Counties Climate Stabilization Declaration ....................... 10
Delaware’s Cool Cities Program ................................................................. 13
Volunteer Opportunities ..................................................................... 14
Step-by-Step Activism........................................................................ 14
Program Materials.............................................................................. 16
Cool Cities Benefits............................................................................ 17
Policies and Programs ................................................................................ 19
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy ........................................ 19
Green Buildings ................................................................................. 19
Good Government ............................................................................. 20
Land Use............................................................................................ 20
Open Space ....................................................................................... 20
Transportation Planning..................................................................... 20
Waste Reduction................................................................................ 21
Water Conservation and Stormwater ................................................ 21
Financing Opportunities .............................................................................. 23
Energy Performance Contracting ...................................................... 23
Tax-Exempt Lease-Purchase Agreements........................................ 23
Short Payback for Efficiency Improvements...................................... 24
Cost of Waiting to make Efficiency Improvements ............................ 24
Financing Renewable Energy Projects.............................................. 25
Delaware’s Sustainable Energy Utility – Energize Delaware ............ 26
Vocabulary................................................................................................... 27
Example Letters to Elected Officials ........................................................... 29
Letter to Mayor ................................................................................... 29

COOL CITIES DELAWARE 2010 VOLUNTEER GUIDE PAGE ii

 Letter to City Council.......................................................................... 30
Regional Cool Cities.................................................................................... 31
Delaware ............................................................................................ 31
Maryland ............................................................................................ 32
New Jersey ........................................................................................ 32
Pennsylvania...................................................................................... 32

COOL CITIES DELAWARE 2010 VOLUNTEER GUIDE PAGE iii

Campaign Background
Cool Cities is a national campaign of the Sierra
Club to that provides an opportunity for
volunteers to encourage their local governments
to take real action to reduce their greenhouse
gas emissions by endorsing the U.S. Mayors
Climate Protection Agreement and adopting
energy sustainability, environmental stewardship
and climate protection policies and programs.

This Volunteer Guide is designed to assist volunteers throughout the state

to promote energy sustainability, environmental stewardship and climate
protection at the local level.

Program Objectives

The objectives of the Delaware Cool Cities Program are to:

1. Promote local energy sustainability, environmental stewardship and

climate protection. Through outreach, public education and local
government counseling and support, we encourage the adoption of
energy sustainability, environmental stewardship and climate
protection measures at the local level. The U.S. Mayors Climate
Protection Agreement provides the foundation for this initiative.

2. Help every village, town and city. Delaware’s 57 villages, towns and
cities represent 30% of our state’s population. Improving energy and
environmental sustainability on the local level can dramatically
improve our environmental quality for present and future generations.

3. Encourage volunteer involvement in Cool Cities. We strive to create

opportunities for Sierra Club members, as well as the public and
members of other organizations, to become involved in their local
government’s energy sustainability, environmental stewardship and
climate protection programs.

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Cool Cities

Cool Cities are villages, towns and cities that endorse the U.S. Mayors
Climate Protection Agreement. This agreement was initiated by Seattle
Mayor Greg Nickels in 2005 to encourage local governments to reduce
energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, while promoting
environmental stewardship. Since then, over 1000 U.S. cities have made
this commitment to energy sustainability, environmental stewardship and
climate protection.

The U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement includes twelve action

items: (1) greenhouse gas emissions inventory, reduction targets and
climate action plan; (2) land use policies that reduce sprawl, preserve open
space and create compact walk-able communities; (3) transportation
options such as bicycle trails, commuter reduction, carpooling and transit;
(4) renewable energy programs; (5) energy efficiency in municipal
buildings; (6) Energy Star procurement policy; (7) land use planning and
building codes that promote energy efficiency; (8) increase the efficiency of
government-owned vehicles; (9) water and wastewater pump efficiency;
(10) recycling programs; (11) urban forests and habitat protection; and (12)
public education and outreach.

Delaware's 57 villages, towns and cities represent 30% our state's

population. Improving energy and environmental policies on the local level
can dramatically improve our environmental quality.

An endorsement of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement is a

statement in support of energy sustainability, environmental stewardship
and climate protection. Mayors need only sign the support signature page,
which can be found in this handbook and on our website at
http://coolcitiesde.us.

Cool Counties

Cool Counties are counties that endorse the U.S. Counties Climate
Stabilization Declaration. Cool Counties was launched in September
2007 at the National Association of Counties County Climate Protection
Forum to provide best practices, tools and resources to assist counties in
energy sustainability, environmental stewardship and climate protection
policies and programs.

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Just as the Cool Cities Program encourages local governments to endorse
the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, the Cool Counties Program
encourages counties to endorse the U.S. Counties Climate Stabilization
Declaration.

Of the 3,066 counties in the United States, 42 have already adopted the
U.S. Counties Climate Stabilization Declaration and have committed to
address the challenges climate change poses to our communities.

Participating counties commit to:

1. reduce greenhouse gas contributions to climate change through

internal operations;
2. demonstrate regional leadership to achieve climate stabilization and
protect communities;
3. help communities become climate resilient;
4. urge the federal government to support these efforts.

Delaware – a State of Risk

Increasing energy consumption and our choice of fuels to supply our

hunger for energy are creating some of the most substantial environmental
risks of the modern era. Air pollutants from our energy use, be it from
electricity, natural gas and fuel oil for the building sector, or gasoline and
diesel fuel for the transportation sector, contribute to greenhouse gas
emissions, particulates, nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide, mercury, and
other hazardous pollutants.

Lowering energy consumption also reduces the amount of energy that

needs to be mined or extracted, resulting in energy savings throughout the
entire energy cycle. By saving energy through efficiency and conservation
we can reduce the water pollution and environmental destruction at coal
mines and oil wells, air emissions from power plants and refineries, as well
as lower the need to store spent nuclear fuel.

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Delaware Average Electricity Fuel Resource Mix, 2008

The fuel resource mix of our electricity supply in Delaware in 2008 shows that we
are heavily dependent on coal, which contributes to a variety of environmental
pollutants, including toxic and carcinogenic air pollutants, water pollution and
ecosystem destruction through the increasingly prevalent mining technique
called mountaintop removal.

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Climate Vulnerability and Responsibility: with 90 miles of coastline,
Delaware is particularly vulnerable to climate change and the State of
Delaware is already planning for a rise in sea level. Anticipated effects of
climate change include wetlands degradation, critical habitats and species
loss, saltwater intrusion into groundwater and surface water, beach
impacts, agricultural and fishery impacts, flooding, and an increase in
storms - all which could dramatically alter the quality of life for
Delawareans.

While our coastal communities are most at risk, there are no communities
in Delaware that are isolated from climate change. We all have a
responsibility to protect the climate by reducing our greenhouse gas
emissions, conserving energy and adopting environmental stewardship
programs that mitigate our risks. Climate protection initiatives protect
quality of life for present and future generations.

Cool Cities recognizes these responsibilities and the importance of local

governments in improving environmental conditions, lowering energy
consumption and protecting the climate.

The U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement assists local governments

with identifying priorities, implementing policies and developing programs
that can reduce climate risks, while simultaneously improving access to
services and reducing financial burdens.

Air Quality: Burning fossil fuels decreases the quality of our air in
Delaware. Poor air quality aggravates lung conditions and contributes to ill
health and chronic disease. The State of Delaware violates the Clean Act
through non-attainment of criteria air pollutant goals for ozone and fine
particulates. Air quality is at its worst on hot summer days when heat and
sunlight convert nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds that are
emitted from burning fossil fuels into ozone. Ozone is an asthma trigger
that exacerbates respiratory disease and makes breathing more difficult.
Fine particulates are small particles 2.5 microns in size that penetrate deep
into lung tissue, contributing to cardiopulmonary and respiratory disease.

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The American Lung Association (2009) gives Delaware’s three counties the
following grades for ozone and particulate pollution:

New Castle Kent Sussex

County County County

Ozone Grade F C F
Particle Pollution Grade F C C

Populations vulnerable to respiratory disease in each of Delaware’s three

counties include (American Lung Association 2009):

New Castle Kent Sussex

County County County

Pediatric Asthma 11,886 3,443 3,543

Adult Asthma 38,081 10,629 13,228
Chronic Bronchitis 17,023 4,713 6,465
Emphysema 7,200 2,030 3,258
Cardiovascular Disease 132,760 37,179 56,390

By reducing the amount of energy that we need to generate at power

plants, as well as lowering the emissions from government-owned vehicles,
Cool Cities can assist local governments in improving the quality of the air
in their own jurisdictions.

Inventorying greenhouse gas emissions and developing climate action

plans enable local governments to establish benchmarks to measure
results for their energy efficiency, environmental stewardship and climate
protection goals. By convening a citizen’s conservation advisory
commission, local governments can solicit the assistance of concerned and
involved citizens who can recommend conservation initiatives and educate
others on energy efficiency, conservation and pollution reduction.

Energy efficiency and conservation protect our fragile environment,

climate and health. We all have an important role in improving energy
sustainability, environmental stewardship and climate protection.
Cool Cities Delaware Volunteers bring this message to our local
governments and encourage changes to benefit earth.

COOL CITIES DELAWARE 2010 VOLUNTEER GUIDE PAGE 6

The Cool Cities Strategy

The Cool Cities strategy is to use the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection
Agreement to achieve two important goals: 1). Get cities (and eventually
states and the federal government) to take action with smart energy
solutions that reduce global warming emissions, and 2) Energize, support
and build local volunteer activism and influence, both inside and outside the
Sierra Club.

Accordingly, each local Cool Cities campaign has two major overlapping
goals, one environmental and the other organizational.

On the environmental side, your primary goal is to have your city implement
meaningful smart energy solutions (cleaner vehicles, energy efficiency and
renewables) which result in measurable reductions of global warming
pollution.

Successful local Cool City campaigns build public demand for clean energy
solutions and turn mayors and other local officials into clean energy
advocates. As more cities in your state sign the Mayors’ agreement, public
support for statewide action (e.g. climate protection plan, renewable
portfolio, clean car, and appliance efficiency standards, etc…) will increase.
And as more states move forward, the federal government will be forced to
act more responsibly to curb global warming.

The organizational goal for your local Cool City campaign is as important
as conservation victories: Attract, engage and empower more local long-
term volunteer activists and form stronger partnerships across your
community.

By establishing and deepening a positive working relationship with your

mayor and local government, and through coalition work with traditional
and non-traditional partner organizations (environmental, labor, faith,
business), your local Cool Cities campaign will build power and influence
for your group. In this way, you will increase your capacity to tackle larger
conservation and organizational goals in the future. 1

1
Excerpt from Sierra Club Cool Cities Campaign Activist Toolkit (April 2006, page 5) available online at
http://www.coolcities.us/resources/activistTools/CoolCities_ActivistToolkit.pdf

COOL CITIES DELAWARE 2010 VOLUNTEER GUIDE PAGE 7

U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement

This agreement was initiated by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels in 2005 to encourage local
governments to make commitments to adopt policies that reduce energy consumption
and greenhouse gas emissions while promoting environmental stewardship. Over 1000
U.S. cities have already signed on to the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A. We urge the federal government and state governments to enact

policies and programs to meet or beat the target of reducing global
warming pollution levels to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012, including
efforts to: reduce the United States’ dependence on fossil fuels and
accelerate the development of clean, economical energy resources and
fuel-efficient technologies such as conservation, methane recovery for
energy generation, waste to energy, wind and solar energy, fuel cells,
efficient motor vehicles, and biofuels;

B. We urge the U.S. Congress to pass bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction

legislation that 1) includes clear timetables and emissions limits and 2) a
flexible, market-based system of tradable allowances among emitting
industries; and

C. We will strive to meet or exceed Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing

global warming pollution by taking actions in our own operations and
communities such as:

1. Inventory global warming emissions in City operations and in the

community, set reduction targets and create an action plan.

2. Adopt and enforce land-use policies that reduce sprawl, preserve

open space, and create compact, walkable urban communities;

3. Promote transportation options such as bicycle trails, commute trip

reduction programs, incentives for car pooling and public transit;

4. Increase the use of clean, alternative energy by, for example,

investing in “green tags”, advocating for the development of
renewable energy resources, recovering landfill methane for energy
production, and supporting the use of waste to energy technology;

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 5. Make energy efficiency a priority through building code
improvements, retrofitting city facilities with energy efficient lighting
and urging employees to conserve energy and save money;

6. Purchase only Energy Star equipment and appliances for City use;

7. Practice and promote sustainable building practices using the U.S.

Green Building Council's LEED program or a similar system;

8. Increase the average fuel efficiency of municipal fleet vehicles;

reduce the number of vehicles; launch an employee education
program including anti-idling messages; convert diesel vehicles to
bio-diesel;

9. Evaluate opportunities to increase pump efficiency in water and

wastewater systems; recover wastewater treatment methane for
energy production;

10. Increase recycling rates in City operations and in the community;

11. Maintain healthy urban forests; promote tree planting to increase

shading and to absorb CO2; and

12. Help educate the public, schools, other jurisdictions, professional

associations, business and industry about reducing global warming
pollution.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cool Cities encourages local governments to commit to energy

sustainability, environmental stewardship and climate protection by
endorsing the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

This commitment is a first step in the relationship between local

governments and Cool Cities volunteers, as policies and programs
are developed, expanded and improved.

COOL CITIES DELAWARE 2010 VOLUNTEER GUIDE PAGE 9

U.S. Cool Counties Climate Stabilization Declaration

WHEREAS, there is a consensus among the world's leading scientists that

global warming caused by human emission of greenhouse gases is among
the most significant problems facing the world today;

WHEREAS, documented impacts of global warming include but are not

limited to increased occurrences of extreme weather events (i.e., droughts
and floods), adverse impacts on plants and wildlife habitats, threats to
global food and water supplies – all of which have an economic impact on
communities and their local governments;

WHEREAS, leading scientists have projected that stabilization of climate

change in time to minimize such impacts will require a reduction of global
warming emissions to 80 percent below current levels by the year 2050;

WHEREAS, currently the United States is responsible for producing

approximately 25 percent of the world’s global warming pollutant s;

WHEREAS, many leading U.S. companies that have adopted greenhouse

gas reduction programs to demonstrate corporate and operational
responsibility have also publicly expressed preference for the federal
government to adopt precise and mandatory emissions targets and
timetables as a means by which to provide a uniform and predictable
regulatory environment to encourage and enable necessary and long -term
business investments;

WHEREAS, state, regional and local governments throughout the United

States are adopting emissions reduction targets and programs and that this
effort is bipartisan, coming from Republican and Democratic leadership;

WHEREAS, the U.S. Conference of Mayors has endorsed the U.S. Mayors
Climate Protection Agreement, which commits cities t o reduction of global
warming emissions to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012, and calls for a
federal limit on emissions;

WHEREAS, the State of California has mandated statewide reduction of

greenhouse gas emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2 050;

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WHEREAS, more than 100 county leaders signed a letter written by Dane
County, Wisconsin, that was sent to the President in March 2006 calling for
increased energy investment and development of jobs focused on clean
energy technologies;

WHEREAS, counties have a unique role to play in reducing greenhouse

gas emissions and preparing for the impacts of climate change through
their regional jurisdiction over policy areas such as air quality, land use
planning, transportation, zoning, forest preservation, water conservation,
and wastewater and solid waste management;

WHEREAS, the economic arguments for implementing climate solutions

are compelling, from the near-term economic gains of energy efficiency to
the long-term climate stabilization that can prevent irreparable harm from
catastrophic climate change impacts;

WHEREAS, many counties throughout the nation, both large and small,
are reducing global warming pollutants through programs that provide
economic and quality of life benefits such as reducing en ergy bills,
preserving green space, implementing better land use policies, improving
air quality, promoting waste-to-energy programs, expanding transportation
and work choices to reduce traffic congestion, and fostering more
economic development and job creation through energy conservation and
new technologies;

NOW, THEREFORE WE DECLARE,

We as Cool Counties will take immediate steps to help the federal, state,
and our governments within our county to achieve the 2050 climate
stabilization goal by making the following commitments:

i. Create an inventory of our county government (operational) greenhouse

gas (“GHG”) emissions and implement policies, programs and operations
to achieve significant, measurable and sustainable reduction of those
operational GHG emissions to help contribute to the regional reduction
targets as identified in paragraph ii;

ii. Work closely with local, state, and federal governments and other
leaders to reduce county geographical GHG emissions to 80 percent below
current levels by 2050, by developing a GHG emissions inventory and

COOL CITIES DELAWARE 2010 VOLUNTEER GUIDE PAGE 11

regional plan that establishes short-, mid-, and long-term GHG reduction
targets, with recommended goals to stop increasing emissions by 2010,
and to achieve a 10 percent reduction every five years thereaft er through to
2050.

iii. Urge Congress and the Administration to enact a multi-sector national

program of requirements, market-based limits, and incentives for reducing
GHG emissions to 80 percent below current levels by 2050. Urge
Congress and the Administration to strengthen standards by enacting
legislation such as a Corporate Average Fuel Economy (“CAFE”) standard
that achieves at least 35 miles per gallon (mpg) within 10 years for cars
and light trucks.

We will take immediate steps to identify regional climate change impacts;

we will draft and implement a county plan to prepare for and build resilience
to those impacts.

COOL CITIES DELAWARE 2010 VOLUNTEER GUIDE PAGE 12

Delaware’s Cool Cities Program
The Delaware Chapter of the Sierra Club’s Cool Cities Program provides
volunteer training and outreach to the public, professionals and municipal
governments to encourage energy sustainability and environmental
protection at the local level.

Delaware’s 57 villages, towns and cities in our 3 counties represent 30% of

our state’s population. Improving energy and environmental sustainability
on the local level can dramatically improve our environmental quality.

Through the efforts of volunteers and local governments, the Delaware

Cool Cities Program can assist all local governments in Delaware, large
and small, to embark on the path of sustainability, reduce their energy
consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and protect the environment
while saving money and creating local jobs.

Delaware’s Cool Cities Program provides opportunities for volunteers to get

involved in a variety of activities, including meeting with local governments,
calling and writing letters to elected officials, developing program materials,
fundraising, participating in public events, publicizing sustainability efforts
through letters to the editor of local newspapers, coordinating with
community partners and increasing public awareness of the importance of
energy sustainability, environmental stewardship and climate protection.

If you would like to become involved, contact the Chairman of Cool Cities
Delaware:

Ron Zink
28 Winged Foot Road
Dover, DE 19904
coolcitiesde@gmail.com
(302) 735-8996

COOL CITIES DELAWARE 2010 VOLUNTEER GUIDE PAGE 13

Volunteer Opportunities

Cool Cities Delaware Committee has the following volunteer opportunities:

 Local Government Outreach

 Sierra Club Membership Outreach
 Volunteer Training
 Annual Conference
 Fundraising
 Publicity and Media
 Research and Materials Development
 Website Development
 Monthly Newsletter
 Tabling and Special Events
 Annual Survey

Step-by-Step Activism

Step 1. Join Cool Cities Delaware.

Step 2. Volunteer Training. Learn what Cool Cities is all about so that you
can effectively communicate the goals of this effort with local governments,
other volunteers and the public at large.

Step 3. Local Government Outreach. In order to endorse the U.S. Mayors

Climate Protection Agreement and adopt energy sustainability,
environmental stewardship and climate protection programs, local
governments will need pressure and support from their constituents. Local
outreach teams comprised of community members and volunteers can
address the unique needs of each jurisdiction, conduct outreach and build
partnerships with other organizations.

Step 4. Research Your Community. Find out what actions in your

community are already being done, and how these actions fit within the
objectives of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. You will want
to celebrate these actions, no matter how slight, since they are the
foundation upon which your city can build, and they will help you determine
what kinds of solutions make sense to ask for

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Step 5. Connect with Your Local Government. Analyze how your
government works and get to know your mayor and other key decision
makers. Participate in government events, speak at public meetings and
meet with your elected officials so that they understand the importance of
your concerns.

Step 6. Publicity. Organize public meetings in your community to educate

others on the importance of energy sustainability, environmental
stewardship and climate protection. Cool Cities Delaware has developed
materials and visual aids for your use at these meetings.

Step 7. Ask for the Endorsement. Convince your local government to

endorse the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Continue to apply
pressure your local government for the endorsement.

Step 8. Hold your Local Government Accountable. Once your local

government endorses the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, they
will need public input and assistance in developing programs. Your local
team will be critical in a continued effort towards action and accountability.

Step 10. Stay Organized. Coordination between Cool Cities Delaware,

volunteers and local governments is critical to the long term success of
energy sustainability, environmental stewardship and climate protection.
The keys to keeping the momentum of your local Cool City campaign
moving forward are to stay involved in your city’s energy solution decision-
making process, and to communicate regularly with fellow volunteers and
partners.

If you were able to arrange for a representative from your campaign to

participate in your city’s conservation advisory commission, make sure that
you distribute progress reports and meeting notes widely. Reports of
specific successes are particularly important to keeping people motivated,
as is celebrating these accomplishments. Keep up public exposure
through a newsletter, tabling and participation in public events, submissions
to the local newspaper, and making presentations to community groups.

Your campaign should also try to enlist your mayor to become an advocate
to other mayors in your state. Ask your mayor for a letter that urges other
mayors to sign on the Mayors’ agreement and to adopt the money and

COOL CITIES DELAWARE 2010 VOLUNTEER GUIDE PAGE 15

energy-saving solutions that are proving successful in your city. Success
breeds success!2

The success of local government energy sustainability, environmental

stewardship and climate protection initiatives depends upon the
involvement of citizen volunteers. We play an important role in the
future health of our communities and the vitality of our planet.

Program Materials

Cool Cities Delaware has developed support materials to assist volunteers

and local governments.

1. Cool Cities Delaware Website – http://coolcitiesde.us has a variety of

materials, including a resource library, funding opportunities, best
management practices, and details on the U.S. Mayors Climate
Protection Agreement. All of the program materials described in this
Volunteer Guide are available for download on the website.

2. Cool Cities Delaware Handbook – this

resource is designed to assist local
governments with understanding the
U.S. Mayors Climate Protection
Agreement and evaluating their
energy sustainability, environmental
stewardship and climate protection
programs.

3. Cool Cities Delaware Factsheet – a

brief overview of Cool Cities and an
introduction to the U.S. Mayors
Climate Protection Agreement.

2
Excerpts from Sierra Club Cool Cities Campaign Activist Toolkit (April 2006, pages 8-15) available
online at http://www.coolcities.us/resources/activistTools/CoolCities_ActivistToolkit.pdf

COOL CITIES DELAWARE 2010 VOLUNTEER GUIDE PAGE 16

Cool Cities Benefits

There are numerous financial, environmental and climate benefits to Cool

Cities, including:

 Reduce operating expenses and save tax-payer money: Local

governments can save on the energy used to heat, cool and light
buildings, fuel vehicles, support computers and communications
systems, light streets, assist police and engage in the many public
services provided to residents, businesses, schools and community
organizations.
 Shovel-ready grant proposals: A carbon emissions inventory and
climate action plan enables local governments to have the
background research at the ready to prioritize energy sustainability,
environmental stewardship and climate protection efforts.
 Improve building stock: Buildings are a legacy for future
generations. Improvement in building standards for energy efficiency
and their enforcement can promote long-term energy sustainability
and climate protection.
 Healthy communities: Local governments often have the authority
to adopt land use policies that reduce sprawl, protect open space and
maintain urban forests and wetlands, as well as promote walk-able
and bike-able communities. Such community infrastructure
developments as streets and sidewalks are among the most
important services that local governments provide.
 Create green jobs: Local investment in renewable energy, energy
efficiency and conservation, green buildings, alternative
transportation, and sustainability creates markets for local green job
growth.
 Waste reduction: Recycling and composting reduces waste while
lowering tipping fees, which can lead to substantial savings in waste
transport and disposal.
 Parkland and open space: Parklands are opportunities for local
governments to reduce their maintenance costs and improve
environmental quality by planting and protecting trees. Trees offer
valuable storage for greenhouse gasses, as well as habitats,
stormwater retention and other environmental benefits. By reducing
mowing in park areas, fuel costs and pollution emissions can be
reduced.

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  Water and stormwater: Water conservation and stormwater
protection can reduce the overall operating expenses of local
governments while promoting the sustainability of our water
resources. Delaware has experienced several droughts and serious
floods in the past decade. Through conservation-based planning,
local governments and communities can reduce their water use
needs during droughts and limit their stormwater runoff to prevent
floods.
 Lower energy burdens: Energy burden, the percentage of income
that is spent on energy, is particularly high for low-income families,
disabled residents and senior citizens. Helping families and
businesses to reduce their energy use can dramatically improve their
financial situation and living conditions.
 Renewable energy: Distributed or consumer-sited renewable
energy is coming down in price, gaining in popularity, and has the
potential to produce tremendous environmental benefits by reducing
transmission loss, lowering peak load, and reducing our dependence
on fossil fuels and nuclear power. Local governments can promote
government-, commercial- and residential-owned renewable energy
and purchase renewable energy credits (RECs) to improve their
renewable portfolio.
 Pollution reduction: Reducing our energy use through efficiency
and conservation lowers the pollution to mine, extract, transport,
refine and generate energy from these fuels.
 Improved air quality: Fewer air emissions at power plants and from
vehicles and equipment improves air quality in communities and
guards against asthma and respiratory triggers and acid rain. We
can all benefit from cleaner air and breathe a little easier.
 Measurable results: Greenhouse gas emissions inventory enables
a method for effectively measuring the impacts of government actions
to reduce energy consumption and improve energy sustainability,
environmental stewardship and climate protection.

COOL CITIES DELAWARE 2010 VOLUNTEER GUIDE PAGE 18

Policies and Programs
A wide variety of policies and program alternatives are available for local
governments to improve their energy sustainability, environmental
stewardship and climate protection efforts.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

 Strategic energy plan for your village, town or city

 Energy efficient street lighting
 Energy efficient water and/or wastewater pumping
 Energy efficiency and conservation advancement program for
families and businesses
 Compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) recycling
 Government-owned distributed renewable energy (solar, wind,
geothermal)
 Purchase renewable energy credits (RECs)
 Grant or revolving loan program to help families and businesses
install distributed renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal), such
as the Green Energy Fund
 Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard for government-owned electric
utilities, which sets targets for an increasing percentage of renewable
energy over the next decade
 For government-owned electric utilities, interconnection and net
metering policy to encourage consumer-sited renewable energy

Green Buildings

 Incorporate energy efficiency in residential, commercial and industrial

buildings (for example LEED building standards)
 Energy efficient lighting in government-owned buildings
 Buy only Energy Star rated appliances and electronics
 Conduct an energy audit of government-owned buildings
 Weatherize government-owned buildings
 Programmable thermostats in government-owned buildings
 Heating and cooling systems upgraded to more efficient models in
government-owned buildings

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Good Government

 Establish a conservation advisory commission to guide government

decisions on the areas of energy and the environment
 Educate government officials and employees on the importance of
energy sustainability, environmental stewardship and climate
protection
 Promote community, school and business outreach to protect the
environment and use less energy
 Offer flexible time, compressed work week and/or staggered work
hours for city employees, where appropriate
 Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Climate Action Plan
 Evaluate greenhouse gas emissions from government operations and
set targets to reduce those emissions

Land Use

 Comprehensive land use development strategic plan for your village,

town or city
 Promote mixed-use development and incorporate language into
development plans, building codes and ordinances to encourage
compact development and a mix of residential, commercial and office
space

Open Space

 Promote tree and wetlands preservation and tree planting efforts

 Establish tree cover goals and minimum tree cover thresholds for
new developments in the building code
 Protect and preserve natural areas
 Encourage the use of conservation easements to protect farmland
and open space
 Plant and protect trees in all government-owned parks
 Reduce mowing in government-owned parks and open spaces

Transportation Planning

 Develop a transportation strategic plan for your village, town or city

 Promote transit-oriented development

COOL CITIES DELAWARE 2010 VOLUNTEER GUIDE PAGE 20

  Consider fuel efficiency when replacing a government-owned vehicle
(for example, alternative fuel vehicles, hybrid vehicles and/or smaller
vehicles)
 Consider reducing the number of government-owned vehicles
 Provide commuter incentives to city employees, including carpooling
and use of public transportation
 Establish an anti-idling ordinance
 Promote public transportation by encouraging the use of public
transit, providing incentives, car-sharing and carpooling, shelters at
bus stops, etc.
 Encourage the use of alternative fuel vehicles
 Implement a “complete streets” approach to new infrastructure
 Locate public facilities near public transit
 Improve sidewalks and bicycle paths
 Increase access to bicycle parking in apartment complexes and
commercial areas

Waste Reduction

 Solid-waste reduction plan

 Recycling in government-owned buildings
 Curbside recycling for residents and businesses
 Composting or mulching program for yard waste
 Procurement policy for purchasing only recycled-content paper
materials
 Backyard composting / grasscycling program
 Consumer education program for waste reduction, recycling and
composting

Water Conservation and Stormwater

 Water conservation and stormwater strategic plan

 Promote residential, commercial and industrial water conservation
 Establish a water conservation-oriented rate structure for
government-owned water utilities, such as seasonal rates and
inclining block rates
 Establish a stormwater utility to finance stormwater management
efforts

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  Adopt outdoor water conservation best management practices to
reduce water consumption, such as native species, drought tolerant
plants and mulching
 Vegetation buffers (50-100 feet) along all rivers, creeks, streams and
wetlands
 Encourage the use of rain gardens and rain barrels
 Minimize area of impervious cover and use porous pavement
wherever possible
 Encourage the use of porous pavement for residential and
commercial driveways and parking lots
 Protect sensitive watershed areas and special value features
 Direct flow from impervious surfaces onto pervious areas (i.e.,
disconnect impervious surfaces)
 Maximize tree canopy over impervious areas (pavement, sidewalks,
buildings)
 Install green roofs on government buildings and encourage green
roofs on commercial and industrial buildings

COOL CITIES DELAWARE 2010 VOLUNTEER GUIDE PAGE 22

Financing Opportunities
Local governments can afford to make energy efficiency improvements
now! Indeed, we cannot afford to wait.

There are a variety of financing opportunities that enable immediate action

to reduce energy consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The
following financing options are well established and utilized by local
governments for this purpose.

Energy Performance Contracting

One of the most popular financing mechanisms for energy efficiency

improvements, energy performance contracting enables local governments
to bundle energy savings guarantees with the purchase of efficiency
upgrades by contracting with an Energy Service Company (ESCo). Local
governments then return this investment out of the amount of money that
they save through reduced energy consumption, based upon the
guaranteed energy savings of their contract.

For more information on energy performance contracting, consult the EPA

factsheets “Easy Access to Energy Improvement Funds in the Public
Sector” and “Innovative Financing Solutions: Finding Money for your
Energy Efficiency Projects” located in the Cool Cities Delaware
Resource Library at http://coolcitiesde.us/library.html#financing

Tax-Exempt Lease-Purchase Agreements

This common public sector financing alternative enables repayment of

energy efficiency investments from operating expense dollars instead of
capital expense dollars. By allowing local governments to pay for energy
upgrades through money already set aside in annual utility budgets, tax-
exempt lease purchase agreements are not considered debt and enable
savings from future utility bills to pay for new, energy-efficient equipment
today.

For more information on tax-exempt lease-purchase, consult the EPA

factsheet “Innovative Financing Solutions: Finding Money for your
Energy Efficiency Projects” located in the Cool Cities Delaware
Resource Library at http://coolcitiesde.us/library.html#financing

COOL CITIES DELAWARE 2010 VOLUNTEER GUIDE PAGE 23

Short Payback for Efficiency Improvements

Local governments use energy to heat, cool and light buildings, fuel
vehicles, support computers and communications systems, light streets,
assist police and engage in the many public services provided to residents,
businesses, schools and community organizations. When local
governments reduce the amount of energy that they need to provide
services, they are able to save money and reduce their vulnerability to
rising energy costs. Often, investments in energy efficiency can pay for
themselves in the amount of energy that they save in a short period of time.
Reduced energy costs enable local governments to use their revenue to
improve other services or make new investments in infrastructure.

The following energy efficiency improvements can return short payback on

investment and should be encouraged:

 Replace conventional street lights with high-efficiency light emitting

diode (LED)
 Increased efficiency of water and wastewater pumps
 Retrofit lighting
 Weatherization
 Energy Star Appliances
 Fuel Efficient Vehicles

For more information on using short payback periods to encourage energy

efficiency improvements, consult Cool Cities factsheet “Cool Ca$h”
located in the Cool Cities Delaware Resource Library at
http://coolcitiesde.us/library.html#financing

Cost of Waiting to make Efficiency Improvements

Given the recent increases in energy costs, local governments cannot

afford to delay making energy efficiency improvements.

The Environmental Protection Agency has created several tools that assist
local governments in determining the financial metrics of energy efficiency
improvements. These tools are located in the Cool Cities Delaware
Resource Library at http://coolcitiesde.us/library.html#financing

COOL CITIES DELAWARE 2010 VOLUNTEER GUIDE PAGE 24

 Building Upgrade Value Calculator: calculate the financial impact
in energy efficiency investment.

Cash Flow Opportunity Calculator: determine how much energy

efficiency equipment can be purchased from anticipated savings, the
appropriate timing for efficiency improvements (now or in future
budgets), and if money is being lost by waiting for a lower interest
rate.

Financing Renewable Energy Projects

While the upfront costs are often seen as a barrier to local renewable
energy projects, local governments can afford to install distributed
renewable energy, such as solar photovoltaics (solar panels).

The Dover Sun Park, currently being constructed in Dover, Delaware, is an

example of how a local government partnership with non-government
entities enabled creative financing opportunities. The City of Dover
demonstrates how to make distributed renewable energy a reality.

For more information on financing renewable energy projects for local

governments, the following resources are available in the Cool Cities
Delaware Resource library at http://coolcitiesde.us/library.html#renewable

Center for Energy and Environmental Policy (CEEP), 2009. Creating a

Solar City: Determining the Potential of Solar Rooftop Systems in the
City of Newark.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 2009. Financing Non-Residential

Photovoltaic Projects: Options and Implications.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), 2008. Solar Photovoltaic

Financing: Deployment on Public Property by State and Local
Governments.

COOL CITIES DELAWARE 2010 VOLUNTEER GUIDE PAGE 25

 Delaware’s Sustainable Energy Utility – Energize Delaware
The Delaware Legislature
established the Sustainable
Energy Utility to provide
financing mechanisms for energy
savings and distributed
renewable energy projects. This
program currently offers an
Energy Performance Contracting
Program for local governments.

Energy Performance Contracting Program: provides a

comprehensive approach to assess energy use and to
implement energy and water efficiency improvement projects by
providing contractual and financing mechanisms to execute the
upgrades with minimal financial risk.

The Performance Contracting Program uses long-term utility

cost savings derived from implementation of the projects to
fund the improvements.

Pre-Certified Energy Services Contractors (ESCOs) execute

the Performance Contracting Program, offering guaranteed
energy savings which cover annual payments for project costs,
usually over a contract terms of 10 to 15 years.

To learn more about the SEU’s Performance Contracting

Program, contact your Energize Delaware representative
today at (302) 504-3077 and visit them online at
http://www.energizedelaware.org

COOL CITIES DELAWARE 2010 VOLUNTEER GUIDE PAGE 26

Vocabulary
Energy and environmental policy involves terms that volunteers may not be
familiar with. The following list includes frequently-used terms and their
meanings.

Climate Action Plan: a strategy to improve energy efficiency, reduce

greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for climate change.

Climate Change: any significant change in the earth’s climate, including

temperature and precipitation, that lasts for an extended period of time.
Climate change may result from natural factors and processes, as well as
human activities that change the atmosphere's composition, including the
release of excessive amounts of greenhouse gasses.

Complete Streets: transportation policy and design approach that

improves the livability of communities through integrated transportation
planning for all roadway users to insure safety and access for pedestrians,
bicyclists and public transportation.

Energy Conservation: changing behaviors to intentionally reduce the

amount of energy used. Examples include shutting off the lights when you
leave a room.

Energy Efficiency: using technologies that require less energy to provide

the same amount of services. Examples include using compact fluorescent
light bulbs (CFL), that require 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs to
produce the same amount of light.

Energy Star: a U.S. government program that establishes guidelines to

recognize the energy efficiency of various products, including appliances
and electronics.

Global Warming: an average increase in the temperature of the

atmosphere, which can contribute to changes in global climate patterns.

Global Warming Emissions Inventory: a detailed accounting of the

emissions of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere.

Greenhouse Gas: gasses that trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere,

including carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane.

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Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory: a detailed accounting of the
emissions of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere.

Green Building: a building constructed according to design standards for

energy and resource efficiency.

Green Jobs: jobs that contribute to energy sustainability, environmental

stewardship and climate protection, including energy efficiency
improvements, weatherization, renewable energy installation and
maintenance,

Green Tag: also known as a Renewable Energy Credits (REC), a tradable

commodity that represents the renewable attributes of 1 megawatt hour
(MWh) of electricity generated from an eligible renewable energy resource.

LEED: Leadership in Energy Efficient Design, a green building certification

system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Renewable Energy: energy generated from natural sources which are

naturally replenished, including sunlight, wind and geothermal.

Renewable Energy Credit (REC): a tradable commodity that represents

the renewable attributes of 1 megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity generated
from an eligible renewable energy resource.

Weatherization: protecting the interior of a building from weather to

improve indoor comfort, especially from heat in the summer and cold in the
winter. Weatherization measures include insulation, air sealing and
weatherstripping, and can dramatically reduce the amount of energy
required to heat and cool a building.

COOL CITIES DELAWARE 2010 VOLUNTEER GUIDE PAGE 28

Example Letters to Elected Officials
Letter to Mayor

Dear Mayor _____(name):

I am writing to ask you to sign onto the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection
Agreement. Since the agreement was initiated by Seattle Mayor Greg
Nickels in 2005, over 1000 mayors nationwide have pledged to reduce their
negative impacts on our climate through energy sustainability and
environmental stewardship policies and programs. In Delaware, the cities
of Dover and Wilmington have already made this commitment and are
experiencing many benefits.

Local governments large and small are putting into place practical, cost-
effective local energy solutions. These include weatherization and energy
efficiency of municipal buildings, energy efficient street lighting, investing in
renewable energy and improving the fuel economy of government-owned
vehicles. These local strategies are already saving taxpayer dollars and
improving public health by reducing energy waste and pollution.

I urge you to consider signing on to the Mayors’ Agreement and to begin

formulating a comprehensive energy savings plan for our city. I am
confident that there are a number of your constituents in our community
that would support you in this endeavor.

For more information on the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, I

urge you to refer to the Cool Cities Delaware webpage at
http://coolcitiesde.us. This website was developed by volunteers to assist
local governments like ours in developing energy sustainability,
environmental stewardship and climate protection policies and programs.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Respectfully,

_____________(your name)
_____________(your address)
_____________(your telephone number)
_____________(your email address)

COOL CITIES DELAWARE 2010 VOLUNTEER GUIDE PAGE 29

Letter to City Council

Dear Councilman/woman _____(name):

I am writing to ask you to support energy sustainability, environmental

stewardship and climate protection in our local government by encouraging
our Mayor to sign onto the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.
Since the agreement was initiated by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels in 2005,
over 1000 local governments nationwide have pledged to reduce their
negative impacts on our climate through energy reduction and
environmental protection policies and programs. In Delaware, the cities of
Dover and Wilmington have already made this commitment and are
experiencing many benefits.

Local governments large and small are putting into place practical, cost-
effective local energy solutions. These include weatherization and energy
efficiency of municipal buildings, energy efficient street lighting, investing in
renewable energy and improving the fuel economy of government-owned
vehicles. These local strategies are already saving taxpayer dollars and
improving public health by reducing energy waste and pollution.

I urge you to support our joining the Mayors’ Agreement and to begin
formulating a comprehensive energy savings plan for our city. I am
confident that there are a number of your constituents in our community
that would support you in this endeavor.

For more information on the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, I

urge you to refer to the Cool Cities Delaware webpage at
http://coolcitiesde.us. This website was developed by volunteers to assist
local governments like ours in developing energy sustainability,
environmental stewardship and climate protection policies and programs.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Respectfully,

_____________(your name)
_____________(your address)
_____________(your telephone number)
_____________(your email address)

COOL CITIES DELAWARE 2010 VOLUNTEER GUIDE PAGE 30

Regional Cool Cities

Delaware

The following local

governments have already
endorsed the U.S. Mayors
Climate Protection
Agreement:

Dover: April 9, 2007

Newark: Feb 22, 2010
Wilmington: 2005

Delaware has 54 other

villages, towns and cities
that have not yet made the
commitment to reduce their
government’s carbon
footprint by signing the U.S.
Mayors Climate Protection
Agreement.

To date, no counties have

endorsed the U.S. Counties
Climate Stabilization
Declaration.

COOL CITIES DELAWARE 2010 VOLUNTEER GUIDE PAGE 31

Maryland

1. Annapolis 7. Edmonston 13. Sykesville 17. Queen Anne

2. Baltimore 8. Gaithersburg 14. Takoma Park County
3. Brentwood 9. Hyattsville 15. Anne Arundel
4. Brunswick 10. Kensington County
5. Chestertown 11. Rockville 16. Montgomery
6. Chevy Chase 12. Salisbury County

New Jersey

1. Alexandria 20. Englewood 39. Kearny 61. Piscataway

Township 21. Ewing 40. Lake Como 62. Pittsgrove
2. Asbury Park 22. Fair Lawn 41. Linwood 63. Plainfield
3. Atlantic City 23. Franklin 42. Livingston 64. Plumstead
4. Atlantic Township 43. Long Beach Township
Highlands 24. Frelinghuysen Township 65. Point Pleasant
5. Bayonne Township 44. Long Branch 66. Rahway
6. Belmar 25. Galloway 45. Long Hill 67. Ringwood
7. Berkeley Township Township 68. River Edge
Township 26. Gloucester 46. Longport 69. Riverside
8. Bloomfield 27. Greenwich 47. Madison 70. Robbinsville
9. Brick Township Township 48. Mantua 71. Runnemede
10. Buena Vista 28. Hamburg Township 72. Somerville
Township 29. Hamilton 49. Maple Shade 73. South Orange
11. Caldwell 30. Hanover 50. Matawan 74. Summit
12. Cliffside Park 31. Harworth 51. Middletown 75. Teaneck
Borough 32. Highland Park 52. Montclair 76. Township of Elk
13. Closter 33. Hightstown 53. Neptune 77. Township of
14. Cranbury 34. Hope 54. New Milford Toms River
Township 35. Hopewell 55. Newark 78. Trenton
15. Cranford Borough 56. Ocean City 79. Union
16. Demarest 36. Hopewell 57. Ocean Gate 80. West Milford
17. East Orange Township 58. Oradell 81. West Orange
18. Elizabeth 37. Irvington 59. Pennington 82. West Windsor
19. Elk Township 38. Jersey City 60. Pine Hill 83. Westfield

Pennsylvania

1. Allentown 6. Forest Hills 10. Lower Makefield 14. Pittsburgh

2. Bethlehem 7. Harrisburg Township 15. Reading
3. Braddock 8. Kutztown 11. Mount Lebanon 16. Scranton
4. Easton 9. Makefield 12. Oxford 17. Wilkes Barre
5. Erie 13. Philadelphia 18. York

COOL CITIES DELAWARE 2010 VOLUNTEER GUIDE PAGE 32