City of Kansas City, Missouri

Climate ProtectionPlan

Appendix G: Existing Activities

City of Kansas City

  • "Green Solutions Policy" adopted by the City Council, establishing the policy of the City to integrate green solutions in our City planning and development processes (Resolution #070830).

  • Green Solutions Administrative Regulation adopted by the City Manager directing City departments to incorporate green solutions into City policies, projects, and programs (A.R. 5-5).

  • City Council decision to require Energy Star standards for all new construction and substantial rehabilitation to be undertaken using City funds (Ordinance #080543).

  • City Council decision to require, for inclusion in all fact sheets for ordinances and resolutions, an answer to the question “How will this contribute to a sustainable Kansas City?” (Ordinance #080246).

  • In April, 2008, a KCMO GreenSummit 2008 attended by over 440 persons provided an opportunity to identify ways to incorporate green solutions into City projects.

  • On June 2-3, 2008, the City Manager convened a two-day Sustainability Workshop attended by more than 80 department directors and senior City staff. The workshop was a forum to develop strategies and actions to incorporate a triple bottom line approach (i.e., simultaneously promoting social, economic, and environmental vitality) in all City operations.

  • Alternative Fuel Use. The City has begun to convert its motor vehicle fleet to alternative energy fuels which emit less CO2 than gasoline and conventional diesel fuel. The number of CNG vehicles has doubled from 90 to 181. The City has converted all diesel vehicles to B-20 fuel, a mixture of 20% biodiesel and 80% conventional diesel fuel. In 2006, the City used a higher mix of biodiesel (50%) in warm months. For 2006, Kansas City was rated by Sustainlane.com as #3 of the 50 largest cities in the U.S. for the percentage of vehicles in its fleet that use alternative fuels.

  • Energy Conservation in City Buildings. Reduced energy consumption saves money and also reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The Convention Center and City Hall energy conservation projects are estimated to save $2 million/year in energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 34,090metric tons per year.

  • LEED Ordinance. LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) standards have been developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. On Nov. 18, 2004,the City of Kansas City enacted ordinance 041222, requiring green building design and construction to the LEED Silver standard fornew City buildings and renovations greater than 5,000 sq. ft. of occupied area.

  • Green Roofs. Ordinance 041059, enacted Oct. 28, 2004, requests that the City Manager include green roofs in new city buildings and facilities improvements. Several demonstration projects are being studied. Green roofs have multiple benefits, including storm water detention, water quality protection, reduced heat island effect (reducing ozone pollution), reduced energy consumption in buildings, and money saved for the owners.

  • Environmentally Preferable Procurement. In 1999, City Council passed Ordinance 990168 establishing an environmentally preferable procurement policy.

  • Zoning Ordinance Revision. Major revision to the City’s Zoning Ordinance and Subdivisions Regulations has been underway for over two years. Some of the changes being considered for a new Development Code will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, among them: infill development to create more density, transit-oriented development, preservation of greenspace, protection of streams with stream setbacks that prohibit development in the 100 year floodplain, maximum parking requirements, and bicycle parking requirements for new development. The proposed revision is expected to be published for public review and comment this spring.

  • KC Bike Initiative/Master Trails Project. Development of a master plan is underway to make Kansas City more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly. The plan will help KC connect its trails and on-road bikeways for use in recreation and transportation. The City is currently recruiting a Bike/Pedestrian Coordinator to work with all City departments (Public Works, Parks & Recreation, Planning & Development, Water Services, and Environmental Quality) to promote bicycling, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Construction of Bike Trails. The City has recently completed construction of bicycle trails with federal transportation money, and is studying additional trails. Portions of the Riverfront Heritage Trail and the Vivion Road Trail east of North Oak Street have been completed in the last several years.

  • KC Recycles. Recycling contributes to climate protection because it avoids landfilling materials that create methane, a greenhouse gas that is over 20 times more powerful in trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide[1]. The City’s curbside recycling program was initiated in 2004 and expanded from biweekly to weekly collection in 2005. Average collection rates are 1,500 - 1,600 tons/month. Three recycling drop-off centers that collect a wider array of materials than are accepted in the curbside collection program are operated by Bridging The Gap. These three facilities, plus the City’s Deramus drop-off site, recovered 2,664 tons of materials for recycling in the past year.

  • A Million Lights. This local initiative, launched by Mayor Barnes to convert a million incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), saves energy and could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 227 thousandmetric tons – and also save money for the person installing them. See for a description of the impact and progress in the Kansas City metropolitan area for purchase of CFLs.

  • Brownfield Redevelopment. Brownfields are underutilized properties with real or perceived environmental contamination. Reuse or redevelopmentof these sites reduces sprawl, destruction of greenfield areas, and the need to extend existing infrastructure (roads, water lines, sewer lines).

  • Smart Growth Project. This City project, funded by an EPA grant to the KC Brownfields Office, highlights examples of Smart Growth in KCMO and promotes smart growth principles among area developers.

  • Redevelopment of the Urban Core. Mixed-use, dense development and redevelopment of residential and commercial space provides opportunities for people to live, work, and play in close proximity and with access to public transit. Redevelopment has been strong in the downtown, midtown, Crossroads, River Market and nearby areas. Approximately $4.5 billion in construction is underway or recently completed.

  • 10,000 RainGardens. Mayor Barnes has championed the construction of rain gardens by businesses, government agencies, and residents. Rain gardens reduce stormwater runoff, flooding, and sewer overflows, while saving energy and thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. MARC provides training on building rain gardens to interested persons, businesses, institutions, and others.

  • Wet Weather Solutions. The City’s Water Department has been working with a community advisory panel to develop recommendations for integrated, multi-benefit solutions to KC’s flooding, stormwater, and sewer overflow issues.

  • Home Weatherization Program.The City’s program improves energy efficiency of housing, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and also improving the comfort, health, and safety of homeowners. The program is supported by grants from the U.S. Department of Energy/Missouri Department of Natural Resources, KCP&L, Missouri Gas Energy, Aquila, Empire District Electric, AmerenUE, and private property owners.

  • LED Traffic Lights. The City is converting its traffic signals to light-emitting diodes that are substantially more energy efficient and last substantially longer than incandescent bulbs.

  • Water Services Department (WSD) Methane Recovery & Energy Efficient Pumps. The WSD recovers methane from the wastewater treatment plant digesters and uses it to generate electricity for use in the water treatment plants. Energy efficient water and wastewater pumps have been installed to reduce energy consumption.

  • Carbon Dioxide Purchase. The WSD utilizes carbon dioxide that is a waste product from other industries, incorporating it into its water treatment process. In fiscal year 2006, WSD used 9.8 million pounds of CO2, leading to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of 4,445 metric tons.

Regional

  • Conversations on the Environment has been the first major component of the communications and outreach strategy identified as critical in the “Progress Report on Climate Protection and Phase 1 Recommendations.” It is an ongoing series of thought provoking presentations by nationally recognized experts on how we can improve our environment and transform our community through sustainable living. Partners in the series include ASTRA Enterprises, BNIM Architects, the Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City Business Journal, Rainy Day Books, Kansas City Public Television, Bridging the Gap, Greenability Magazine and the City of Kansas City, Missouri. Speakers to date include: Ray Anderson, Majora Carter, Hunter Lovins, Richard Louv. Other speakers who have addressed this community, although not part of the CoE, include Andrew Winston, author of “Green to Gold”, and Mayor John Hickenlooper of Denver.
  • The Kansas City Climate Protection Partnership, coordinated by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, offers businesses and organizations the opportunity to lead the community toward the complementary goals of reduced regional greenhouse gas emissions and increased economic competitiveness.
  • Mayors Climate Protection Agreement On November 2, 2007, in conjunction with 17 other mayors in the region, Mayor Mark Funkhouser reiterated Kansas City’s commitment by signing the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement making Kansas City the one of the few, if not the only, city with two consecutive mayors signing the Agreement.
  • America’s Green Region. The Civic Council, in partnership with Mid-America Regional Council, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, the KC Area Development Council, Bridging The Gap, Johnson County, Kansas, and the City of Kansas City, Missouri initiated a “Strategy to Become America’s Green Region.” The strategy envisions a broad engagement of the metro are community to create and support a sustainable region that increases the vitality of our society, economy, and environment for current residents and future generations.
  • Sustainable Skylines Initiative is a collaborative project, funded by the US-EPA, to achieve measurable environmental benefits through locally guided projects, while also contributing to the vitality of the metropolitan Kansas City economy and the quality of life of Kansas City metropolitan area citizens. Sustainable Skylines Initiative partners include US-EPA Region 7, Johnson County, Kansas, Unified Government of Kansas City, Kansas and Wyandotte County, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

Other Governments

  • JacksonCounty’s Green Build Program. JacksonCounty prepared a written guide to incorporating sustainable building features to save money, reduce energy usage, and maintain a healthy home. JacksonCountyalso instituted a rebate program of up to 50% on the permitting fees, based upon the level of “Green designation” achieved per the county’s point system.

  • EPA’s Blue Skyways Collaborative. This U.S. Environmental Protection Agency initiative aims to improve air quality by reducing air pollution through innovations in fuel and green energy technology along the I-35 corridor from south Texas to northern Minnesota. The program looks to develop public/private partnerships in the areas of on-road vehicles, non-road equipment, highway infrastructures, air/water/rail transportation, and renewable, efficient, and alternative energy sources.

Mid-America Regional Council (MARC)

  • Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) established the Academy for Sustainable Communities providing leadership training and technical training in support of sustainability

  • Operation Green Light. This regional initiative led by MARC synchronizes traffic signals to promote the flow of traffic and minimize idling time at stop lights, reducingmotor vehicle emissions.

  • Smart Moves. This regional plan aims to enhance the public transit system throughout the region, increase transit ridership and reduce motor vehicle dependence.

  • Metro Green/Green Infrastructure Project. This regional initiative led by MARC will preserve, enhance, and integrate greenspaces throughout the KC metro area.

  • Clean Air Action Plan for the Kansas City Region. MARC adopted in May 2005 a comprehensive, community-based voluntary strategy for reducing ground-level ozone in the metropolitan area. Objectives include protecting public health, maintaining compliance with federal ozone standards, protecting the regional economy, and implementing measures if the region violates the federal ozone standard in the future.

  • Rideshare Program. MARC’s regional commuter matching service informs people about less expensive and more environmentally friendly commuting alternatives to the single occupancy vehicle. The program assists employers with transportation programs and helps individuals find riding opportunities with other commuters.

Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA)

  • Bike Racks on Busses. KCATA obtained federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds to install bike racks on busses. Racks are now installed on all 25- and 40-passenger busses -- all but the smallest.

  • AdVANtage VanPool Program. This popular program organizes ride-sharing arrangements where a group of commuters ride to and from work in 8- and 12-passenger vans. Riders, except the driver, pay an affordable, low monthly fare. The program is limited only by the number of vehicles KCATA can purchase (vans are provided at no cost to the commuters).

  • Bus Rapid Transit (MAX). KCATA provides rapid transit bus service in the urban core, from the River Market to Waldo. In July, MAXservice celebrated its one-year anniversary and one millionth rider. KCATA is seeking engineering funds for the next bus rapid transit line,on Troost Ave.

Private Sector

Many companies have undertaken programs in energy conservation, resource recovery, or byproduct synergy (one company uses another company’s byproducts as a resource) in recent years. A comprehensive list is beyond the scope of this progress report.

  • KCP&L Energy Conservation/Energy Efficiency Programs. A variety of programs is available for homes and businesses, to encourage less energy use and reduce peak demand. Someinclude financial assistance
  • Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce has formed a special committee, chaired by Bill Downey of KCP&L, to develop policies and actions that can be undertaken by the business community for energy conservation and greenhouse gas reductions. Included in those activities is highlighting energy issues at the Chamber’s 2008 Governor’s Summit on Regional Economic Development.

Non-Profit Sector

Two nonprofit organizations in the metropolitan area are leading the way on programs that help address climate change.

Bridging The Gap (BTG) – all are regional programs
  • Bridging The Gap initiated a “5 Green Things Campaign” that provides information to the public regarding actions they can take to incorporate energy efficiency and sustainability in their personal lives and reduce GHG emissions.

  • Environmental Excellence Business Network. The EEBN conducts workshops and educational events to promote environmental improvements, resource efficiency, and sustainability among businesses.

  • By-Product Synergy Initiative. This program applies the principles of industrial ecology to use unwanted by-products from one organization (e.g. businesses or local governments) as resources for valuable new products and processes by other organizations.

  • Buy Fresh Buy Local. The national marketing campaign is coordinated locally by BTG. It is designed to stimulate public awareness of quality foods produced by local farmers utilizing sustainable agriculture and responsible environmental practices.

  • Kansas City Wildlands. A coalition of governments, conservation organizations, academic institutions, conservation-minded corporations, and citizens has been established to restore and manage the remnants of metro Kansas City’s original landscape.

  • Heartland Tree Alliance. With education and hands-on activities, the Allianceworks in partnership with citizens, green industry professionals, and local governments to teach the value of healthy urban forests.

  • Clean Commute. Working with businesses, this program encourages biking and walking as viable transportation methods for commuters.

  • Shadowcliff. At an educational and retreat center in Grand Lake, CO, BTG conducts workshops with various constituencies, to help them learn about sustainability and its application to individuals and organizations. This year’s workshops are focused on climate protection/climate change.

MetropolitanEnergyCenter (MEC)
  • Energy Education. MEC has various ongoing efforts to promote public awareness about sustainability, energy efficiency and renewable energy –including energy workshops to neighborhoods, service groups, churches and others throughout the metro area.
  • Project Living Proof. MEC is restoring two homes in mid-town KCMO as a demonstration of the health and comfort benefits of energy efficiency, green building technology and native landscaping. The homes include a classroom and training center for the home building/remodeling industry and public.
  • Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. Federal Transit Administration has funded and MEC is the lead member of a consortium to develop and test a plug-in electric small bus operated by KCATA.
  • EnergyWorks. This program provides energy planning services for nonprofit and the public sector, including a low-interest loan fund. It is now focusing on schools with its Missouri EnergyWorks Program.
  • KC Clean Cities. - Promotes development of alternative fuel vehicle fleets and fueling infrastructure in metro KC. Clean Cities received its designation from the U.S. Department of Energy in 1998. MEC serves as the coordinator of the private/public partnership which has Missouri and Kansas co-chairs representing the greater Kansas City area.
  • Energy-Saving Workshops. Co-sponsored with H&R Block, MEC presents seminars on energy tax credits.
  • Home Performance with Energy Star. MEC trains and certifies energy analysts and contractors to help homeowners make improvements that increase comfort and lower energy bills.

Climate Protection Plan Appendix G: Existing ActivitiesPage G - 1

Kansas City, MissouriJuly 2008

[1]U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.