The Energy & Environment Commission was established in April 2007 to help
the City stay on the forefront of issues of sustainability. Duties of the
commission include:
Examining and recommending best practices for energy conservation
for Edina’s residents and businesses, including recommendations for a
“green” building code, use of Energy Star appliances and other
energy-reduction targets.
Examining and recommending changes in City purchases and operations
to conserve energy.
Evaluating and monitoring the provision of a residential recycling
program.
Evaluating and monitoring the provision of a privately provided
solid waste program, as well as a reduction in municipal solid wastes.
Evaluating and encouraging improvements in air and water quality.
Educating the public about energy issues, reduction, conservation,
reuse, recycling and environmental protection.
The Commission is working closely with Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy
to promote programs that encourage residential energy efficiency.
The 10-member Edina Energy and Environment commission includes Chairwoman
Dianne Plunkett Latham, Bob Gubrud, John Heer, Keith Kostuch, Sarah Zarrin
Mohtadi, M. Germana Paterlini, Julie Risser, Tim Rudnicki, Bill Sierks, Paul
Thompson and two non-voting high school students.
Working groups of the Commission, which advises the City Council, are
Recycling and Solid Waste, Education and Outreach, Air and Water Quality,
and Alternative Energy. The Alternative Energy Working Group has several
areas of focus, including wind and solar power.
Edina residents, including high school students, who are interested in
volunteering on these important topics, should express interest by sending
an email to
edinamail@ci.edina.mn.us or calling
staff liaison Assistant City Manager Karen Kurt, 952-826-0415, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Potential volunteers may also write to Energy/Environment Commission, Edina
City Hall, 4801 W. 50th St., Edina, MN 55424. When expressing interest,
volunteers should rank the working groups in order of their preference and
explain how their background would benefit the working group(s) of their
choice.
