Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

To:	Dave Corliss Interim City Manager
From:	Debbie Van Saun Asst. City Manager
cc:	Kevin Doyle, Infrastructure Coordinator Chuck Soules, Public Works Director
Date:	September 21, 2006
Re:	“Green Tags” initiative

Please place the following item on the City Commission consent agenda for their consideration at the September 26, 2006 meeting:

Green Tag Initiative

Subsequent to the energy related items update that was presented to the City Commission at their September 12, 2006 meeting, City staff from the City Manager’s Office, Public Works, Utilities, Neighborhood Resources, Parks & Recreation, and Planning departments met with Sarah Hill-Nelson to learn more about the “green tags” program being marketed by Zephyr Energy.  Zephyr Energy is a regionally-based green tag mix of wind and hydropower renewable resources.  Although green tags are marketed by other entities, it’s our understanding that the non-profit status of the Zephyr green tags allows for re-investment in the Lawrence community (e.g. solar installations at public buildings).

Green tag purchases are part of the process required to become an EPA Green Power Community and supports the U.S. Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement, which the City of Lawrence has already committed to in an earlier action by the City Commission.  As noted in the attached memo from the Recycling and Resource Conservation Advisory Board, supporting local renewable energy is a proactive opportunity to provide additional development of new renewable sources.  It is estimated that a one year contract for 870 green tags (which is the City’s calculated percentage) would cost $8,700. 

Action Item:  Authorize the Interim City Manager to pursue a contract for purchase of green tags from Zephyr Energy at a cost of $8,700, if appropriate.