Mayor to Discuss Solar Energy Report

Mar 15, 2010 - Mayor's Office, Sustainability

When:  Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 10:00 a.m.
Where:  WPB Waterfront Lake Pavilion, 101 North Flagler Drive

(03/15/10)  City of West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel will join Environment Florida to outline a vision to expand the role of solar energy in our area at a press conference on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 10:00 a.m.  The press conference will be held at the West Palm Beach Waterfront Lake Pavilion located at 101 North Flagler Drive.

Environment Florida will be issuing a report that will outline a plan to have solar meet 10% of our energy needs by the year 2030, incorporating clean solar technology into homes, vehicles and commercial facilities.

Mayor Frankel has made reducing the City’s carbon footprint a priority.  The press conference is being held at the City’s Lake Pavilion, a groundbreaking carbon-neutral building and the City’s first LEED-certified facility.

1,000 Mayors and Counting…

Oct 02, 2009 - Mayor's Office, Sustainability

WPB among the 1,000 Cities that Have Signed Historic Climate Change Pact

(Friday, October 2, 2009)  A total of one thousand mayors, including West Palm Beach Mayor Lois J. Frankel, have now signed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement-a landmark pledge for mayors across the country to take bold action to significantly reduce carbon emissions in cities.

The Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement is in line with Kyoto Protocol standards and calls for reduction in carbon emissions by 7% below 1990 levels.  Now, 1,000 mayors representing 86 million Americans are promising to reduce carbon emissions in their cities by 2012.  Mayor Frankel signed the agreement in 2007.

“West Palm Beach is proud to be among the 1,000 cities pledging to fight climate change through this truly bipartisan effort,” said Mayor Frankel. “We will continue to promote sustainability in our community and be a part of this national movement.”
The City has already taken major steps towards the goal of reducing carbon emissions.  In 2008, Mayor Frankel created the City Office of Sustainability.  In early 2009, the City hosted its first-ever Green Summit to develop a sustainability “greenprint.”  The City is also advised on environmental issues by the City Green Task Force, an all-volunteer citizen’s group.

The City has already found efficiencies in the water system, reducing energy use and saving millions of gallons of water.  The new Waterfront Pavilion, currently under construction, will be the City’s first LEED-certified facility.  The City will be using federal funds to make economically-qualified homes more energy efficient, saving residents money and reducing both energy and water use.  The City also has an ongoing environmental conservation educational program through Grassy Waters Preserve.

The announcement of the 1,000th signatory occurred during The U.S. Conference of Mayors Leadership Meeting in Seattle, Washington, where more than 60 mayors have come together.

City Brings Tree Planting Program to Coleman Park

Mar 03, 2009 - Mayor's Office, Sustainability

When:  Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.
Where:  Coleman Park Community Center, 1116 21st Street, WPB

(03/03/09)  City of West Palm Beach Mayor Lois J. Frankel will join neighborhood leaders in continuing to expand the City’s Tree Replacement Program at a tree giveaway on Wednesday, March 4, 2009, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Coleman Park Community Center located at 1116 21st Street.

Through its new tree planting program, the City is replacing trees lost due to the storms and hurricanes of recent years.  The City is committing 750 trees to neighborhood groups, which will then have the trees planted.  The trees will help increase the City’s tree canopy, continuing the City’s commitment to sustainability.

WPB’s First-Ever “Green” Summit

Feb 24, 2009 - Mayor's Office, Sustainability

When:  Wednesday, February 25, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where:  Harriet Himmel Theater, CityPlace, WPB

(02/24/09)  West Palm Beach residents, local business owners and environmental groups will help lead the City of West Palm Beach’s first-ever Sustainability Summit on Wednesday, February 25, 2009.  The Summit begins at 10:00 a.m. and runs until 5:00 p.m.  It will be held at the Harriet Himmel Theater in CityPlace.

More than 300 people are expected to attend the Summit, sharing ideas on how to conserve energy, reduce carbon emissions and make the City’s economy more sustainable.

The Summit’s goal is developing a “greenprint” to guide the City of West Palm Beach’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions.  The City’s newly-formed Office of Sustainability will help lead the Summit and implement the “greenprint.”