City of Cedar Rapids

Element | Resources

The City leads in resource conservation and clean energy.

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Opportunity

Improving efficiency, increasing clean energy, and reducing waste creates a healthier environment for all.^{1, 2}

Resources & Tools for Residents

• Solar Energy
  Learn how this clean energy source is powering several City facilities and find resources for home and business owners to pursue clean energy.
  
  
• Water Conservation Rebates
  

  GreenCR encourages water customers to implement cost-saving, water-efficient measures on their properties. Learn about rebate programs offered by the City.

• Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) Cost-Share Program
  Save up to $2,000 dollars or 50% of eligible project costs for the installation of stormwater BMPs on your residential or commercial property. Learn about which projects qualify and how to apply.
  
  
• Recycling Simplified
  Get more out of your recycling by knowing what you can throw and how to sort! Did you know a single contaminated item could ruin an entire truck full of recyclable materials? Learn more from Republic Services, the City's recycling sorting partner.
  
  
• Learn How to Divert Compost
  Get more out of your yard waste cart by learning what types of food scraps can be composted in your YARDY cart. Sending dry food waste to the compost facility saves room in your GARBY cart and keeps reclaimable materials from getting stuck in the landfill for centuries.

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Accomplishments

The Downtown Library and Central Fire are LEED Platinum buildings, leading in energy and environmental excellence. Existing programs focusing on waste reduction, water efficiency, and solar energy demonstrate progress upon which the City can build.

Goals & Objectives

• Goal 1: Reduce greenhouse gasses (GHGs)
• A. Objective | Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in community and City operations.

• Goal 2: Reduce energy consumption in buildings and operations
• A. Objective | Reduce electricity consumed in City administrative buildings 5% from FY19 baseline by FY22.
• B. Objective | Increase water and wastewater treatment efficiency annually (gallons treated/BTU).

• Goal 3: Increase use of renewable energy
• A. Objective | Achieve 30% renewable energy in municipal operations by FY22.
• B. Objective | Increase renewable energy education through solar group buys.

• Goal 4: Reduce fuel consumption in fleet
• A. Objective | Reduce fuel consumption in fleet 5% from FY19 baseline by FY22.
• B. Objective | Reduce average idling time to less than 5% by Fy22.

• Goal 5: Reduce water waste
• A. Objective | Reduce City facility water consumption 5% from FY19 baseline by FY22.
• B. Objective | Assist 150+ households with water efficiency efforts.

• Goal 6: Reduce landfill waste
• A. Objective | Decrease landfilled waste from City operations 10% from FY20 baseline by FY22.
• B. Objective | Reduce municipal paper consumption 5% from FY19 baseline by FY22.
• C. Objective | Provide landfill diversion tools in 1,000+ households, 10 public-facing facilities, and 1 business district by FY22.

Other Sources

¹ Quantifying the Multiple Benefits of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy A Guide for State and Local Governments.
Environmental Protection Agency, 2018.
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-07/documents/epa_slb_multiple_benefits_508.pdf

² National Climate Assessment.
U.S. Global Change Research Program, 2014.
http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/highlights/overview/overview/graphics/separating-human-and-natural-influencesclimate