On Friday, June 20th, cities across Minnesota were recognized for their leadership in sustainability, energy efficiency, and resource conservation. Sixty-nine cities currently participate in the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program, and many of them received awards at the GreenStep Awards Breakfast at the League of Minnesota Cities Annual Conference.
Currently 27% of the state’s population resides in a GreenStep city. Minnesota GreenStep Cities is a free, voluntary challenge, assistance, and recognition program to assist all Minnesota cities in implementing 28 sustainability best practices. The League is working with the Preservation Alliance of MN, Clean Energy Resource Teams, Great Plains Institute, Izaak Walton League–MN Division, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Department of Commerce-Division of Energy Resources, and Urban Land Institute-MN to promote this program as a pathway to sustainability that is cost-effective, pragmatic and achievable for all cities.
This program benefits cities in multiple ways:
- Lower costs to government, business, educational institutions and citizens
- More local, green jobs
- Green buildings that are cheaper to operate
- Green infrastructure, low-impact development and cleaner water
- Transportation options that connect jobs and housing; walkable/bikeable communities
- Local food production
- Local renewable energy production and cleaner air
At the end of the program’s fourth year, 1,687 best practice actions have been completed, a 24% increase over last year. Please join CERTs, the League of Minnesota Cities, and the rest of the GreenStep Cities partners in congratulating these cities for leading the way toward greener communities! 10 cities are new to the program this year at Step 1. Those cities and cities advancing to Step 2 and Step 3 are in bold below.
STEP ONE CITIES:
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STEP TWO CITIES:
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STEP THREE CITIES:
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See photos from the event:
Check out individual city accomplishments in recent GreenStep Cities tweets below!
