Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition

World’s oceans and Cool Citizen awards to highlight 2012 All Affiliates Conference on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 (7:30 to 9:30 AM)

dianak16 — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:04:16 +0000

What are the world’s oceans telling us about climate change? Find out from a scientist who has done field research in Antarctica, the Arctic Sea and along America’s Atlantic coast. Dr. Melissa Booth will be the featured speaker at our 2012 All Affiliates Conference on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 (7:30 to 9:30 AM). More information and a photo gallery are available HERE.

Attendance is free for all Cool Cities affiliates and their members, but space is limited. Please sign up HERE.

Which individuals and organizations led the effort to reduce carbon emissions in our region during 2011? It is time to celebrate their work with the 2012 Cool Citizens awards. Get details and make nominations HERE.

2012 All Affiliates Conference Sponsors:

GOLD LEVEL ($500)

SILVER LEVEL ($250-499)

BRONZE LEVEL ($100-249)

Cafe2 and AECP offer Coffee & Conservation at Lucky Restaurant

dianak16 — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:03:43 +0000

Is your home getting 15 miles to the gallon? Come find out how you can save energy, save money and improve the health and safety of your home. Join us for some appetizers and drinks, and we will tell you the What, Why, and How of home energy conservation and efficiency.

Hors d’oeuvres and coffee provided, cash bar. Brought to you by the Community Alliance for Energy Efficiency (cafe²) and the Association of Energy Conservation Professionals (AECP). See attached postcard. February 9, 5:30-7 PM. Lucky Restaurant, 18 Kirk Avenue SW, Roanoke, VA 24011

Please RSVP to Jackie Pontious at jpontious@chpc2.org or call 540-267-4737

New app finds the right light bulb

dianak16 — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 23:35:25 +0000

The EPA recently challenged developers to create the best App for the Environment. The winner was the Light Bulb Finder which can be downloaded to your Android device or iPhone. Visit the Light Bulb Finder app page for more info, and visit your device’s app store to download it for free.

2012 Fuel Economy Guide now available

dianak16 — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 23:22:00 +0000

The U.S. Environmental protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy produce the Fuel Economy Guide to help car buyers choose the most fuel-efﬁcient vehicle that meets their needs. The Guide is published in print form, and on the web at www.fueleconomy.gov. The Guide provides annual fuel economy (broken down by city, highway, and combined statistics) and fuel cost estimates. You can also use the website to personalize fuel costs based on current fuel prices and your individual driving habits.

Cool Citizen Awards – 2011

Mark McClain — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:09:45 +0000

Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition announced today the winners of the 2011 Cool Citizen Awards. For a list of all the winners, follow this link: Cool Citizens Award Winners 2011.

“Turn off the Light” switch plate stickers

Jeremy Holmes — Sat, 01 May 2010 17:21:28 +0000

Presenting Cool Cities “Turn off the light” switch plate stickers. These professionally produced, made in USA stickers are 1.5 x 2.5 inches, just right to fit on a standard single switch plate. They are laminated vinyl for a clean look and durability. They peel off just like a vinyl bumper sticker, should you need to remove or reposition.

Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition is pleased to offer our light switch stickers free to non-profit organizations, governments, schools (public or non-profit private), and religious organizations for use at your facility. To receive your free stickers, please email your request to rvccc@comcast.net and include ALL of the following information:

Name of your organization (or government agency, church, school, etc.)
Number of stickers desired
Your mailing address
Location(s) where stickers will be used
Contact person name and title
Phone number
Email address

Your stickers will be delivered free to locations in the Roanoke Valley; if you live outside this area, please contact us for shipping charges. Not available for shipment outside the U.S. If you prefer, you may send this request by regular mail to Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition, 907 Greenbrier Ct. Salem VA 24153

2010 All Affiliates Conference

Jeremy Holmes — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:53:01 +0000

The annual all affiliates conference was held on March 26, 2010, and was very well attended by many of the coalition’s members and guests. Board Chair Diana Christopulos presented an update of the coalition’s progress over the past year. Download a copy of this presentation (6 MB).

This presentation was followed by a group discussion of the highlights of the previous year’s accomplishments throughout the Roanoke Valley, with each table selecting their favorite and reporting it to the audience. This highlighted a wide array of successful projects throughout the region.

Mark McClain hosted the presentation of the Cool Citizen Awards. Following is the text of a press release about the nominees and winners:

Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition, at its annual affiliates conference held March 26, 2010 at Roanoke’s Claude Moore Education Complex, recognized the finalists and announced the winners of its “Cool Citizen Awards” for 2010. These awards are presented by the coalition to individuals, businesses, and government agencies whose efforts have contributed to the overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, consistent with the coalition’s overall mission.

The 2010 “Cool Citizens Awards” finalists and winners are:

Business (presented by James Breakell, Breakell Inc.

Winner – Structures Design/Build, Adam Cohen, owner

“Structures” was cited for its contribution to and work on the Center for Energy Efficient Design, currently under construction at the Gereau Center for Applied Technology and Career Exploration in Franklin County; also for its innovative offering of the Passive House low- or no-energy building design, and for owner Adam Cohen’s community involvement in Roanoke’s Citizens for Clean and Green committee and his educational outreach efforts in the area of energy-efficient building design.

Other finalists: Retellus, Rutherfoord, and Boxley Materials

Media (presented by Chad Braby, Cool Cities Board of Directors)

Winner – Dan Smith, Valley Business Front

Mr. Smith was cited for his commitment to environmental responsibility in the business community, throughout his editorial career including his earlier affiliation with the Blue Ridge Business Journal and his current work with Valley Business Front.

Other finalists: Dan Radmacher, Roanoke Times; Denise Allen Membreno, Kianna Wade, and Jason Lisk (Cox-9 Urban Voices segment production team)

Government (Presented by Gwen Mason, Roanoke City Council and Ken Cronin, City of Roanoke)

Winners – Charlotte Moore, Cave Spring District Supervisor, Roanoke County; AND Franklin County Schools

Ms. Moore was cited for her involvement and support of the work of Roanoke County to measure its carbon footprint, set specific reduction goals for community greenhouse gas emissions, and establish a citizens committee to further these goals through community involvement.

Franklin County Schools received recognition for its commitment to the Center for Energy Efficient Design. Teachers Neil Sigmon and John Richardson have been closely involved with this project and received the award on behalf of Franklin County Schools.

Other Finalists – The City of Salem; Roanoke County Schools

Individual (Presented by Jeremy Holmes, RIDE Solutions)

Winner – Mark E. Hanson

Mr. Hanson was cited for commitment to renewable energy innovation, his initiative in forming a local chapter of the Renewable Energy and Electric Vehicle Association through which he has recruited a cadre of volunteers to provide help with DIY renewable energy systems in the community.

Nonprofit (Presented by Mark McClain)

Winner – Sharebike (founder Ron McCorkle)

Sharebike was cited for its effectiveness in raising awareness of bicycling, a completely emission-free form of travel, as a viable element of our local transportation system, and for its involvement with other groups to stimulate, support and link together a wide range of community-based bicycle initiatives in the Roanoke Valley.

Other Finalist – Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce

Special Achievement (Presented by Rupert Cutler, Roanoke City Council and former Director, Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition)

Winner – Billy Weitzenfeld, Executive Director, Association of Energy Conservation Professionals

Mr. Weitzenfeld was recognized as the driving force behind the Green Living and Energy Expo, which over the past ten years has become one of the premier energy conservation events in the country, drawing thousands of citizens and business people to learn and exchange ideas about energy efficiency and conservation.

Cool Cities board member receives prestigious award

Jeremy Holmes — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:33:24 +0000

Stanley G. Breakell

RVCCC Director Stan Breakell is named Blue Ridge Business Journal’s Business Person of the Year (link goes to a Roanoke Star-Sentinel story on Stan; the original Business Journal article is no longer online). Stan has been a key leader in engaging the business community to promote carbon footprint reduction.

Download a copy of the carbon reduction strategies implemented by Breakell, Inc.

Roanoke Valley Climate Rally

Jeremy Holmes — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:10:19 +0000

—————————————————————————————————————————————————
WE ARE ALL CONCERNED ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE

Folks in the Roanoke Valley are just as concerned about climate change as someone who lives next to a melting glacier in Alaska. The problem, left unchallenged, will affect us all. On October 24, 2009, members and friends of Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition gathered on the Reserve Avenue playing fields to form a giant 350 for an aerial photo, signifying our support for efforts to reduce the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere to the sustainable level of 350 PPM. We support the work of 350.org to promote this goal worldwide.

First Annual Cool Citizen Awards – 2009

Mark McClain — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:18:24 +0000

At its annual All-Affiliates Conference held May 16, 2009 at Western Virginia Water Authority’s Spring Hollow Water Treatment Facility, Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition announced the winners of its new “Cool Citizen Awards”. These awards recognize individuals, organizations, and companies that have had the greatest impact toward reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that are recognized to be a principal cause of global climate change. This year’s awards recognize work that has been done since the inception of the Coalition (2006) through the present, and the Coalition plans to make awards each year in the future for work done in succeeding years. Nominations for the awards were submitted by Coalition members, who number over 160. An awards committee made the final selections.

In keeping with the Coalition’s mission of promoting sustainable practices, award certificates were printed on 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper, and were mounted in attractive “recycled” frames procured in local thrift stores. The award recipients also received gift certificates donated by Fork in the Alley Brick Oven pub and Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op, both members of the Coalition. Attendees at the event enjoyed snacks from Local Roots Cafe, soft drinks in recycled and recyclable aluminum cans, and Western Virginia Water Authority tap water served in reusable cups. Each nominee received a letter of recognition and a Green Awareness lapel pin.

Award Winners:

MEDIA (one winner)

WDBJ7′s “Mornin’” show – Lauren Cook and Bob Grebe – This local news and information show was cited for “Green Week, March 2009″; coverage of the Coalition’s compact fluorescent light initiative, and of the City of Salem’s endorsement of the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

Other nominees in the Media category were: Sandra Kelly and “Prime Living”; Gene Marrano (“Roanoke Star Sentinel” / WVTF / Cox Communications); Meg Hibbert of “Salem Times Register”; Dan Radmacher and the Roanoke Times Editorial Board.

GOVERNMENT (two winners)

Gwen Mason, Roanoke City Council – Ms. Mason was instrumental in the formation of Roanoke’s Clean and Green Business Coalition. She pushed for establishment of target emissions reduction for the City of Roanoke, the first municipality in the Roanoke Valley to make such a pledge. She worked toward establishment of Citizens for Clean and Green, a diverse community group promoting energy conservation, efficiency and other green initiatives.

Kenneth Cronin, Director of General Services, City of Roanoke – Mr. Cronin directed the Virginia Municipal League award-winning effort to reduce greenhouse gasses, and has done numerous presentations throughout the state about how municipalities are dealing with climate change and energy management. The City of Roanoke achieved a 1.7% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions under his leadership, and he is an integral part of the Citizens for Clean and Green committee.

Other nominees in the Government category included Charlotte Moore, Cave Spring District Supervisor, Roanoke County; Anne Marie Green, Director of General Services, Roanoke County; Jim Vodnik, Assistant General Services Director, Roanoke County; and Howard Packett, former mayor, Salem.

BUSINESS (two winners)

Breakell, Inc. General Contractors – This company is a leader in the sustainable business practices movement in Roanoke. President Stan Breakell was instrumental in founding Roanoke’s Clean and Green Business Coalition. First in the Valley to deploy a fleet of Prius hybrid sedans, Breakell continues to push the envelope on the sustainability front.

Roanoke Cement, A Titan America Company – Roanoke Cement was cited for its $12,000 grant to support measurement of community and government carbon footprints for Roanoke County and the City of Salem. The company reduced its own electricity use by approximately 6% in 2008 and received an Energy Star citation for energy savings.

Other nominees in the Business category were the Clean and Green Business Coalition and Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op.

NON-PROFIT (two winners)

Hollins University – Hollins has embarked on a program to make their entire campus “carbon neutral”. They measured their carbon footprint, the first establishment of this magnitude to do so in the Roanoke Valley. Hollins hosted a film festival “Putting a Chill on Global Warming” (2007) that served as the kick-off for the local campaign for responsible energy use, and they have brought outstanding expert speakers on the subject of global climate change and sustainability to Roanoke Valley.

US Green Building Council Southwest Virginia Chapter and Nell Boyle – During Ms. Boyle’s tenure as chair of this group, they hosted a wide range of programs to educate the general public about green building. This organization is the leading regional resource for sustainable building practices. Members include architects, builders, real estate specialists and professionals in related fields.

Also nominated in the Non-Profit category was Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council.

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT (two winners) – This award category recognizes individuals or organizations who may not fit into one of the other categories or whose accomplishments were of such importance as to deserve special recognition.

Rupert Cutler – Dr. Cutler was one of the original board members of Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition and served in that capacity until his appointment to Roanoke City Council earlier this year. He was a working director, regularly helping with events and activities, in addition to providing a solid foundation of experience and knowledge of the community. Board Chair Diana Christopulos said simply this: “Without the involvement and commitment of Rupert Cutler, our organization would not be what it is today”.

Jeff Barrie and “Kilowatt Ours” – The only award recipient who is not based in Roanoke Valley, Nashville independent filmmaker Jeff Barrie was cited for his masterpiece film “Kilowatt Ours” which has now been shown thousands of times around the country, including over twenty screenings sponsored by Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition. With just the right combination of alarm and hopefulness, “Kilowatt Ours” jolts people into action to conserve energy, reduce pollution, and save mountains from strip-mining. “It

is by far our best teaching tool; we love the film and we love Jeff for making it”, said Diana Christopulos. Mr. Barrie made a surprise appearance by video to close the conference, thanking the Coalition for recognizing his work.