City of Madison Mpower programs

• The city has retrofitted many facilities with modern lighting technology. Highest efficiency fluorescent lighting, LED and induction lighting make sure high quality light is delivered at the lowest possible power consumption. These controls also make sure the lights are only on when needed. This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 399 tons annually.
• Installations: Eleven solar hot water systems on all the fire stations. Four solar electric systems in various city-owned buildings. Two fire stations have been air sealed and partially insulated.
• The city also uses high efficiency (96%) water heaters that are built to last. Recent installations in five fire stations and the East Streets Maintenance Facility will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 tons annually.
• Reports show that Madison is using power management policy control by Surveyor at the present time, resulting in annual energy savings potential of 132,219 kWh or approximately $17,268.12 saved annually.  

• Water the lawn only when necessary and in accordance with weather and rainfall
  

• Look into purchasing a rain barrel system to collect and reuse rainwater. Check out Sustain Dane’s Rain Reserve program.

• Manage rainfall by planting a rain garden that will capture and slow the flow of rain water, and use it more efficiently.
  

• Prevent toxic watershedding by trying to keep plant material, toxins (fertilizer, pesticide, herbicide) and debris out of the storm sewers.

• An increase of fuel efficiency in the city's fleet of vehicles: the use of hybrid diesel-electric buses, as well as experimentation with biodiesel fuels.
• Offering fuel-saving driving tips as well as rideshare information.
• Park-and-ride and Rack & Roll options for bikers as well as bicycle safety information.

• Make conscious decisions about the use of current materials by recycling, reducing demand for energy, using renewable energy, favoring compact mixed-use development over sprawl development, providing transportation systems and vehicles that minimize or eliminate fossil fuel use, and agricultural practices that minimize the use of petrochemical fertilizers and herbicides.
• Reduce the use of artificial substances by eliminating toxic building materials in construction practices, using alternatives to chemical pesticides and herbicides for landscape and park maintenance as well as in agriculture, using healthy cleaning products, and eliminating hazardous materials in industrial processes.
• Be mindful of natural resources by conserving land and water resources, using renewable building materials and other products made using sustainable practices, and developing communities in an efficient manner that conserves resources.
• Help people meet their basic needs by improving health care by emphasizing prevention, increasing opportunities for public involvement and input in government decision-making, and increasing transportation choices satisfies the need for freedom, participation, idleness, and protection.

Learn more about how the City of Madison is working towards a sustainable future.

• City of Madison
  
  
• Madison's recycling protocol:
  Think of all the energy efficiency projects The City could implement with an extra $89,000, the amount spent in 2006 on correcting misplaced trash in recycling containers.