March 2010 eMail Update
We have results from the 2009 ChaMpions and have selected the 2010 Business ChaMpions!
Sustain
Dane and the Mpower Partners would like to announce the achievements of
the Mpower Business ChaMpions Program’s first year and the selection of
the second class of businesses. The Mpower Business ChaMpions Program
is the first initiative in South-Central Wisconsin that systematically
ensures businesses go green effectively and efficiently.
Over
the past year, 7 area businesses participated in the Mpower Business
ChaMpions program to amplify their actions and results in
sustainability and energy efficiency. One of the many aspects of the
program is assistance in efficiently connecting businesses with a
wealth of resources, including: Focus on Energy, Rideshare etc, EnAct,
Energy Star Portfolio Manager, Madison Metro, and others. Participants
also share best practices and strategies for sustainability through an
on-line platform and monthly meetings.
Collectively,
the participants are implementing 35 sustainability-oriented projects
and their 5 year savings is anticipated to be over $1 million. This
breaks down to an expected annual reduction of at least 6 million
pounds of CO2 emissions, which were obtained by: reducing gasoline
usage by 150 gallons; water by 28,000 gallons; natural gas by 63,000
therms; and electricity by 2.4 million kWh.
“Webcrafters
is proud that we were part of a very successful kickoff year for the
ChaMpion program. The Mpower team did a good job helping us track our
successes, creating motivation within our organization,” remarks Judy
Peirick, Vice President of Human Resources at Webcrafters.
The
accomplished 2009 Mpower ChaMpions include: designCraft Advertising,
Capitol Insurance Companies, Great Big Pictures, JJR, Sergenian’s Floor
Coverings, The Payroll Company, and Webcrafters, Inc.
After
a packed public workshop in November, highlighting the program and
successes of the 2009 ChaMpions, the program selected 8 new applicants
to participate in the program including: Associated Housewrights,
Covance, Insty Prints on the Square, Lakeview Veterinary Clinic,
Monsanto Company – Agracetus Campus, Palmer Johnson Power Systems, The
Mental Health Center of Dane County, and Union Cab Cooperative of
Madison.
Craig Parson, President of
Palmer Johnson Power Systems, commented, “Participating in the ChaMpion
program will be instrumental to our success in meeting both our
sustainability and economic goals. Palmer Johnson Power Systems is
committed to sustainability and welcomes the assistance this program
will provide.”
Jessie
Lerner, Coordinator of the Mpower Program for Sustain Dane and the
Mpower Partners, said, “We deliberately selected a diverse group of
businesses, creating a network of leading green businesses that can
learn from one another regardless of size, industry or tenancy. The 15
businesses collectively occupy over 1.7 million square feet and
employee more than 3,500 individuals so the potential positive impact
on the environmental is significant. ChaMpions are a group of
like-minded businesses that understand sustainability needs to be
included in their strategic plan to stay competitive.”
Lynn
Brady, Director of Clinical Programs at Mental Health Center of Dane
County, the group’s first non-profit ChaMpion, reflects, “The Mental
Health Center has long been a leader in the human service field; we
would very much like to be a leader in the sustainable front as well.
With the help of Mpower ChaMpions we can.”
Mpower
Business ChaMpions, free to participating businesses, is administered
by Sustain Dane and is sponsored by MGE, The City of Madison, EPA, and
Focus on Energy.
To learn more about the program and the participating businesses visit http://www.mpoweringmadison.com/mchampions
Google Map adds Bicycle Directions
And
just in time for the spring thaw! The Madison bike population has
quadrupled in the last few weeks and whether you are a seasoned rider
or are curious how best to get to work or any other activity you can
now take advantage of Google Map's bicycle directions.
Get turn by turn directions, that avoid roads with heavy traffic when possible. To read more visit the official google blog.
More tools to get you out of your car
Rideshare, etc
If
you are not sure biking to work is for you, go ahead and try it with
the help of Ride Share, etc. Once registered for Ride Share you are
eligible for 6 guaranteed ride home vouchers every year. If the only
reason you are not biking is because you need your car in case of an
emergency, the vouchers can give you piece of mind and provide you with
a trip up to $75 in a Union Cab! Find out more at http://www.rideshareetc.org/ .
Bicycle Commuter Benefit Act
Does your employer offer transportation related fringe benefits? If so, check out the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin's summary of The Bicycle Commuter Benefit Act and find out how to get your bike expenses paid for!
High School Poetry on the Bus
Do you know someone enrolled in a MMSD high school? If so, encourage them to submit
poetry that could be displayed on the Metro Buses. Deadline for submissions is April 30th. For more info click http://www.cityofmadison.com/mac/buslines/.
Links to Help you Save
Saturday, April 24th
Rain Barrel Distribution
WEST SIDE
9 am - 1 pm
Clean Green Middelton Earth Day Event
Household donations and recycling too!
EAST SIDE
12 - 4 pm
Habitat ReStore Earth Day Celebration
ReStore Art show too!
40th Anniversary of Earth Day
We know that you already make every day Earth Day (don't you?)
As this year is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, their are some
pretty fun and interesting celebrations happening. If you would like to
have your groups event listed on the Mpower Updates
web page under Earth Day Celebrations - please respond to this email
with the details; include the name, date, time, location and a short
description or website (if there is one). Happy Earth Month!
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