CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP: SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING APWA CONFERENCE JUNE 27, 2012
Learning Objectives: 1. Assemble the right individuals and knowledge base to evaluate your operation. 2. Engage citizens and business owners to participate in the process. 3. Educate staff on the plan and develop action list.
About Cranberry Township 18.9% Growth 2000-2010
In addition to 28,582 people, Cranberry Township is home to 18,500 jobs
The Cranberry Plan Thousands of hours of research and analysis, debate and open dialogue among residents, Township planners and consultants are summarized in The Cranberry Plan a strategic roadmap for Cranberry to follow as it grows and matures over the next 25 years.
The Cranberry Plan Planning for Sustainability Good planning results in tangible benefits for everyone who lives, works, and does business in the Township. Page 6
The Cranberry Plan Began with the community s Vision 25 Year timeframe Over 200 action strategies Plan involved input from thousands of residents and thousands of hours of volunteer and staff time Adopted in April 2009 Community Visioning Background Information & Research Growth Management Analysis Growth Management Plan Implementation 2005 Summer / Fall 07 Spring / Summer 08 Fall 08 Spring 09
Planning for a long-term Healthy Community Beginning with the end in mind the Township conducted an extensive Citizen Survey, which produced a 50%+ response rate. Citizen Advisory Panel in action
Engaging Shareholders in the Process Citizens Advisory Panel (The CAP) 80 people representing a diverse cross-section of residents Met monthly to help planners focus on issues of greatest interest Formed Task Forces to dig deeper into those issues
Task Forces Dig into the Details
Staff & Citizen Roles in the Cranberry Plan Process Citizen Advisory Panel Township Staff Steering Committee Boards, Commissions and Committees Residents, Business Owners, and Employees Board of Supervisors SUSTAINABLE CRANBERRY
The Cranberry Plan From the beginning, we knew that successful implementation would rely upon: Public Support and Education Involvement of Elected Officials Intergovernmental Cooperation Financial Support Volunteer Efforts
Cranberry s Goal for Sustainability: The Cranberry Township principles for sustainable development will be integrated and fully implemented in all facets of municipal operations to create an atmosphere of sustainability in the Township. Cranberry s Five Principles of Sustainability Be Distinctive Be Prosperous Be Healthy Be Engaged Be Committed
The Sustainability Assessment Cranberry Township enlisted Sustainable Pittsburgh to conduct a Sustainability Assessment of the township s physical plant, municipal programs, policies, and planning processes.
Planning for the long-term health of the community became the #1 goal of the Cranberry Plan. The CAP and the Cranberry Plan Steering Committee set out to collaborate with Sustainable Pittsburgh to develop our set of Sustainability Principles and complete a Township-wide Sustainability Assessment.
Sustainable Pittsburgh Sustainable Pittsburgh is a public-policy advocacy group that links economic prosperity, ecological health, and social equity Sustainable Pittsburgh provided specific recommendations related to sustainability, including costs and benefits Cranberry Township is well on its way to becoming a model for integrating the process of sustainability as the new business as usual for municipal governance. - Sustainable Pittsburgh Goals of Sustainability Assessment Become a better environmental steward Increase efficiencies & conserve resources Save or make money
Assessing Sustainability Conducting a Nuts-and-Bolts Assessment Multidimensional, Multidisciplinary Scope / Team Physical Plant Energy Efficiency & Conservation Municipal Center Parking Stormwater & Sewer & Water planning/budgeting Waste & Recycling Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Renewable Energy Communications Systems Integration Carbon Dioxide Mitigation Strategies Certifications and Evaluation Systems (ISO 14001, LEED, and Audubon International Certifications) Municipal Programs, Policy, and Planning Municipal Fiscal Health & Operating Budget & Preferred Scenario Fiscal Considerations Human Resources Land Use Management Program Affordable Housing Capital Improvement Program Sustainability Goals & Measures Evaluate Comp Plan Alternate Scenarios Public Education
Payback (Years) Assessing Sustainability Achievable Recommendations throughout Municipal operations Tier 3 Principles Leadership Tier 1 Tier 2 Easy Money No Regrets Time to Implement (Years) Tier 1 Savings Examples $3,600 / year 100,000 pounds of CO 2 Tier 1 + Tier 2 $8,500 / year 202,000 pounds of CO 2
Energy Used (mmbtu) Assessing Sustainability: Focus On Energy Large Energy Uses 20,000 Municipal Operations (2007) 18,000 16,000 14,000 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 Kerosene Diesel Gasoline Natural Gas Electricity 4,000 2,000 -
Assessing Sustainability: Focus On Energy Local Government GHG Pilot Grant Program Internal Township Emissions Building on Sustainability Assessment Energy billing Township vehicle fleet External Community-Wide Emissions Utility companies Local businesses Traffic study Waste disposal Sustainability Action Team Members from community, businesses & educational institutions Develop community stake in project
Energy Reduction Plan Examples of Recommendations Residential Lighting Upgrades Home Energy Competition Loan Watt Meters to Residents Commercial & Industrial ENERGY STAR Challenge Create Sustainable Business Label Transportation Encourage Ridesharing & Telecommuting General Encourage Thermostat Setbacks Purchase ENERGY STAR devices Provide Energy Improvement Resources
Assessing Sustainability: Focus On Energy Energy Reduction Action Plan Recommendations Energy LED exit signs Put computers to sleep nightly Purchase clean/renewable energy LED street lights Other Waterless urinals Encourage smart township growth Partner with schools PROGRESS Implemented 23 sustainability recommendations Mostly Tier 1 Focus on Waste, Energy & Land Use Additional 21 planned or in progress Most are Energy reductions (cost reductions) Tracking progress and associated savings
Assessing Sustainability Our logo connects residents and employees with our sustainability projects and progress. Rooted in sustainability and guided by community involvement the Township took a holistic approach, focusing on: Township Physical Plant Community & Residents Businesses
RESULTS: Township Transportation Policy, Planning and Action Produce RESULTS Roundabout - A traffic circle, completed in 2008, reduces idle time and fuel use by 30% according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Hybrid Vehicles Many of the vehicles purchased as part of the Township s vehicle replacement program are now hybrids, getting 15 20 miles per gallon more than conventional vehicles.
RESULTS: Residents & Community Integrated Waste Management Program Components Solar Cardboard Compactor Yard Waste Collection Variable Disposal Rates Single Stream Recycling
RESULTS: Winter Maintenance Liquid Brine Began automated production of liquid brine, which will reduce the need for rock salt by up to 30% and a potential savings of up to $80k; entered into Inter-municipal agreements to sell brine to surrounding communities Snow Plows GIS tracking of fleet has shown more efficient routing, reducing material usage Reducing Material Usage Pre- Wetting Current practice of MgCl or CaCl as a pre-wetting agent produces extensive environmental benefits
RESULTS: Increased recycling volumes
RESULTS: Increased recycling volumes Cranberry recycles about 43% of the residential waste stream, with each person averaging about 256 pounds of waste recycled a 200% increase from 2004.
RESULTS: Increased Recycling Volumes Savings Trending Upwards Average customers serviced 8,229 Tons of waste land filled 7,412 Tons recycled (not including yard waste) 2,967 Tons of yard waste 2,692 Tons of Christmas Trees 11.8 Pounds recycled per person (at 2.81 people per household) 256 Residential recycling 23% Waste stream recovery 43% Customers participating in recycling 98%
RESULTS: Water Leak Detection and Water Meter Testing Reducing Water Loss and Costs Leak Detection Performed system-wide twice per year Detected leaks are scheduled for repair Resulted in both public and private leaks detected, reducing water loss and costs significantly Water Meter Testing Water meters age and slow over time Tests show percentage loss and acceptance threshold Meters replaced if past a certain percentage water loss resulting in more accurate water usage Over 10x savings of cost of test each time!
RESULTS: Traffic Signal Re-Timing Increased Traffic Efficiency Coordinated Traffic Signal System Multi-municipal effort to maximize efficient use of infrastructure 21% reduction in vehicle stops More than 8% reduction in emissions Total daily fuel consumption savings of over 100 gallons Benefit to cost ratio of 30:1
RESULTS: Environmentalism Irrigation - Irrigated with effluent water treated at Township plant Sanctuary Certified by Audubon International for Environmental Planning and its participation in the wildlife sanctuary program
RESULTS: Engaged Residents Use of Rain Barrels Presented by Fifth Graders Water Conservation Storm Water Control Installation Over 115 residents have participated. More than 1,500 residents use the free composting bins.
RESULTS: Irrigation Management Decreasing Water Use Automated Rain Gauges Prevents system from operating after specified amounts of rainfall, only using water when needed
RESULTS: Work Order/Fueling System Keeping Assets in Top Form Automatic Work Order Automated fueling system tied directly to our work order system Step #1 Employee provides odometer reading and vehicle number Step #2 Preventative Maintenance Schedules for oil, transmission, etc. are automatically generated Step #3 Schedules automatically sent to mechanics for vehicle followup
FOG (Fats, Oils & Grease) Program A program of the sewer and water department to protect the environment and the public The program educates the public about what can go down the drain and what should be thrown away The program uses codes and best management practices to reduce water pollution and sewer overflows
Page 38 Healthy Cranberry Website
Critical Success Factors Become a leader Gain commitment from local leaders and residents take time to educate Serve residents and businesses Quantify savings and share results. Validate business/resident input. Demonstrate in everyday decisionmaking Lead by example - foster and project an internal culture of sustainability Page 39
Important Partnerships The Cranberry Plan: Chester Engineers, Sustainable Pittsburgh, Delta Development Group, HRG, Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board, URS, Citizen Advisory Panel Sustainability Assessment: Collective Efforts LLC, Sustainable Pittsburgh, Clear View Strategies, Strategic Energy, PGHR Consulting, Local Government Academy, PA Resources Council, Reaves & Associates, G.A. Wozniak & Associates Energy Reduction Plan: Sustainable Pittsburgh, G.A. Wozniak & Associates, PA DEP, Sustainability Action Team Greenhouse Gas Inventory: Sustainable Pittsburgh, G.A. Wozniak & Associates, Sustainability Action Team Page 40
Questions? John Trant Chief Strategic Planning Officer Cranberry Township John.Trant@cranberrytownship.org Jason Dailey Director of Public Works Cranberry Township Jason.Dailey@cranberrytownship.org @cranberry_twp facebook.com/cranberrytwp