Florissant, MO

Mayor: Robert Lowery, Sr

Date of Adoption:
2005-10-15

Primary Contact:
Peggy Moody

Why My City is Cool

Mayor Lowery appointed a citizen EQC (Environmental Quality Commission) which has spearheaded a number of important actions to reduce city energy use and reduce citizen energy footprint.

Florissant was featured on the Precious Earth series of Fox 2 news in April for the savings to the city. Check out this linK: http://www.fox2now.com/lifestyle/green/.

As stated in the newscast the these initiatives are "good for people, it's good for the planet and it's good for profits."

Florissant completed their GHG audit for all 10 of their city buildings. Federal funding under the Energize Missouri Communities will help pay for solar panels on the city ice rink, for efficient CO2 occupancy monitors for the theater at the Eagan Center and the swimming pool and for the addition of electric vehicles for the Florissant city fleet. The savings to the city of $80,000 per year will go on for many years. Big savings comes from decreased use of lights and ventilation equipment controlled by the occupancy monitors.

In addition, the Environmental Quality Commission has a Cool Cities business program which has presently enrolled 2 businesses.
Hard work by the citizens of the EQC has brought the recycling rate to more than 45% from a rate of 17% several years ago. They have worked especially hard to encourage electronic recycling by citizens.

This energetic citizens committee works to educate other citizens at the Valley of the Flowers and Florissant's Fall Festival, submits Green tips for the city website, writes articles for the Florissant Focus
and was featured in the North County Journal for their work.

Mayor Lowery recently hired a Building Commissioner to help with the Cool Cities initiatives. At present the EQC is working on a strategy with Mayor Lowery to ban the use of plastic bags. They have been on the mayor's TV channel to increase recycling, to support energy efficiency measures and to encourage composting and home gardening.

The Florissant EQC welcomes more input--please sign up today!

Milestones Completed (about)

Milestone 1: Establish Campaign COMPLETE

Convene a Cool Cities campaign team of 3-7 activist volunteers
Write a city profile on the Cool Cities website

Milestone 2: Engage The Community COMPLETE

Create a Campaign Plan
Give a Cool Cities presentation to at least three local community groups
Send a formal letter to Mayor, co-signed by 2+ partner community groups requesting the mayor to sign

Milestone 3: City Signs Agreement COMPLETE

Meet with mayor along with 1 to 3 community groups to discuss becoming a Cool City
Municipality makes formal commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (US: Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement or Cool Counties Agreement. Canada: Canadian Partners for Climate Protection)

Milestone 4: Initial Solution Steps COMPLETE

City establishes committee to create local climate action plan
Hold a media event applauding your mayor's commitment
City initiates early implementation actions (e.g. energy efficient light bulbs at city offices)
City performs an audit of city operations
City establishes action plan for city operations

Milestone 5: Advanced Smart Energy Solutions IN PROGRESS

City adopts energy efficiency policies (e.g. energy efficient street lights, green building standards)
City adopts green vehicles policy (e.g. purchases hybrid vehicles for city fleet)
City adopts renewable energy policies (e.g. buys "green" power, installs solar panels or wind turbines)


News & Announcements

Links

Register to the Sierra Club's social networking site, Climate Crossroads, and join the Cool Cities group to view blog entries, read about happenings in your city, and connect with other members

Join the Cool Cities group on Climate Crossroads!

Provides step-by-step guidance and resources for municipal governments to become more sustainable

Learn more about the Green Playbook