2011 Green Policy Platform
The Green Collaborative recognizes the green achievements of the Landrieu administration, namely reinstating residential recycling and the Mayor’s Office of Coastal and Environmental Affairs, facilitating development of bike paths and the Lafitte Greenway, incorporating energy efficiency in several public library construction projects, and consideration of green standards for other capital projects. This updated platform takes off from where we are, and in order to successfully achieve goals delineated below, the Green Collaborative suggests that the Administration create an Intergovernmental Sustainability Council consisting of representatives from Sanitation, Coastal and Environmental Affairs, Safety and Permits, Economic Neighborhood Engagement, and any other pertinent offices and departments. This Council can facilitate implementation of the following objectives:
1. Pledge to support and take action on Climate, and Gulf of Mexico, protection.
2. Require either LEED Silver or a 30% below ASHRAE standards for all new and major renovations of, city buildings with construction budgets exceeding $1 million.
3. Mandate a 30% reduction in annual utility cost for all municipal buildings by 2022.
4. Support sustainable industries such as green development/construction, affordable housing, coastal protection, deconstruction, recycling, composting, urban farming, clean technologies, and other local social and environmental impact ventures.
5. Implement pedestrian and bicycle recommendations of New Orleans 2030 Master Plan (Vol. 2, Chapter 11, Goal 3) to promote transportation options and increase mobility for all roadway users.
6. Establish phasedâin minimum fuel efficiency and alternate fuel standards for the City’s vehicle fleet and taxicabs.
7. Remove permitting obstacles for green buildings, storm water management, and food production. Create ‘Green Lane’ to expedite applications and identify incentives for projects meeting LEED or Enterprise Green Communities standards.
8. Publicly support the Greater New Orleans Inc. Integrated Water Management Strategy process and take steps to implement U.S. EPA recommended Low Impact Development (LID) principles for stormwater management.
9. Encourage deployment of deconstruction and salvage, and ensure material reuse best practices are adopted and enforced along with existing laws and ordinances with regard to the deconstruction or demolition of blighted properties.
10. Seek federal funds and technical assistance to support sustainable energy and environmental initiatives including food safety and availability.