Memorandum

DATE:             September 20, 2006

TO:                  Honorable Mayor Mike Amyx

                        Vice Mayor Sue Hack

                        Commissioner “Boog” Highberger

                        Commissioner Mike Rundle

                        Commissioner David Schauner

FROM:            Kevin Dobbs, Chairperson, on behalf of Recycling and

                        Resource Conservation Advisory Board

RE:                  “Green Tags” initiative to support U.S. Mayor’s Climate Protection

                        Agreement

CC:                  David Corliss, Interim City Manager

                        Debbie Van Saun, Assistant City Manager

                        Charles Soules, Public Works Director

                        Bob Yoos, Solid Waste Division Manager

                        Tammy Bennett, Assistant Public Works Director

                        Mollie Mangerich, Operations Supervisor

                        Recycling and Resource Conservation Advisory Board Members

At the September meeting of the Recycling and Resource Conservation Advisory Board, with Commissioner Highberger in attendance, the Board was given a presentation on “green tags” and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Green Power Community program by Sarah Hill-Nelson.

Ms. Hill-Nelson represents Zephyr Energy, one of several marketers of Green Tags. Green tags are being marketed to individuals, businesses and communities to help them offset their carbon emissions footprint. Several Lawrence businesses already purchase Green Tags from Zephyr Energy.  The purchase price directly supports producers of renewable energy, as well as development of new renewable sources. Additionally, a percentage of the money is set aside for reparation of wetlands and establishment of new renewable energy generation sources.  While we recognize that we are asking the City to spend more money to purchase energy than is required by market rates, we feel that this will show our City’s resolve to proactively encourage renewable energy as a viable alternative to the status quo. The dollar amount in question is less than one-half of one percent of last year’s electricity consumed by the largest city-owned facilities.  In addition, by agreeing to purchase green tags, Lawrence would be able to sign on to the EPA’s Green Power Community program. If acted upon in a timely fashion, Lawrence could become the Nation’s sixth “Green Power Community” – a designation that would offer assistance and recognition for our community.

We the members of the advisory board highly recommend that the City of Lawrence commit to being a Green Power Community and purchase green tags from Zephyr Energy. We feel that doing so is an easy way to demonstrate the City’s commitment to implement the recently signed U.S. Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement and to support local renewable energy.

Sincerely,

Kevin Dobbs

Chairperson, Recycling and Resource Conservation Advisory Board