• Orlando – http://www.cityoforlando.net/elected/greenworks/index.htm
  Through grant money provided by the Department of Energy, Orange County is currently installing a 1 megawatt (MG) solar array atop the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, making it the largest solar array of its kind in the Southeast.  In addition the City of Orlando has established, Green Works Business, an educational program designed to provide the Orlando business community with comprehensive best practices for sustainability in business.
• Deland – http://www.beacononlinenews.com
  The City of Deland has systematically changed its water program to encourage conservation by adopting a tier structured rate program and rebates for customers who switch to energy star appliances.
• Jacksonville – http://www.coj.net
  Jacksonville has Florida’s 2nd largest community owned utility, JEA,  which generates green energy by burning methane gas from one of the city’s sewage treatment plants and from several local landfills, capturing the energy that would be lost if they merely burned off the gas.
• South Daytona – http://www.southdaytona.org/egov/docs/1238690842802.htm
  The City of South Daytona has issued a Green Mission Statement, which proclaims the policy of the City of South Daytona to finance, plan, design, construct, manage, and maintain its facilities and buildings to be sustainable.  It is the City’s intent that all buildings constructed meet criteria standards of USGBC, LEED, Florida Green Building Coalition Green Building certification, or any comparable performance criterion.
• Fort Myers – http://www.cityftmyers.com
  Fort Myers encourages strict green practices in all city departments including Parks and Recreation and has a close relationship with the University of Florida extension services which helps educate city staff on energy saving techniques, water conservation and air quality.
• Gainesville – http://www.cityofgainesville.org
  The City of Gainesville has implemented a four day work week for all city employees, closing down all city offices one work day per week which reduces utility use and creates pollution reduction resulting in big dollar savings for the city.
• Pinellas Park – http://www.pinellas-park.com
  Pinellas Park enforces landscaping codes which “green” the city, encouraging use of native drought resistant plants, reclaimed water usage and shading of parking lots. In addition, they city has purchased hybrid vehicles for use by city workers in select departments.
• Clearwater – http://www.clearwater-fl.com/green
  The City of Clearwater has started monitoring and tracking energy use within government buildings. After current usage rates are determined, the city will develop a plan to reduce energy use. The same methodology will be followed for solid waste, recycling, and water use.
• Tallahassee – http://www.talgov.com
  Tallahassee’s city bus service, StarMetro has park and ride routes called 80X routes. These routes service the community’s highly populated suburbs, offering free Wi-Fi and over 88 i-stops which are stand-alone solar powered bus shelters, providing increased safety for evening riders while utilizing renewable energies for power.
• Venice –  http://www.venicegov.com
  The City of Venice recently began green planning efforts by adopting the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.  Additionally, funding has been secured for formal application towards Florida Green Building Coalition’s (FGBC) Local Government Green Standards through the Planning Department, and certification by both the City Engineer and Building Official through Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

Thanks to the cities that participated in the Green Cities Florida Survey, we pinpointed the following top priorities that Florida leaders would like addressed at the conference.

• Alternative water supplies and water conservation as a whole
• How emerging technologies will be used in conservation efforts
• How to market sustainability to the public
• Green house gas reduction strategies
• How the American Recovery and Investment Act will affect job growth and retention
• How to apply for funding to assist with the implementation of sustainable initiatives
• Implementing renewable energies in new building technologies
• LEED certification requirements
• Cost benefit of implementing green practices
• How municipalities can influence policy makers to allocate funds to help achieve greening goals
• How other cities handle their recycling programs in the current economic climate
• How to get the community involved in greening projects and save money doing it
• Alternatives to landfills
• Alternative energy sources

You can learn more about these various topics and many more by registering for Green Cities Florida today.

On May 20th at 9am at the Orange County Convention Center, history will be made; join Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty and Senator Lee Constantine as they “flip the switch” on the largest PV system of its kind in Southeastern United States. The one-megawatt rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system sits atop the Orange County Convention Center and will be turned on for the first time at the opening ceremony for Green Cities Florida.

Click here to see the press release – http://greencitiesmedia.com/2009/03/orange-county-convention-center-launches-solar-project/

To get more information about Green Cities Florida please visit www.greencitiesflorida.com

Download this press release as a .doc

Editor’s Note: In our recent podcast interview with Lori Cunniff, this project is heavily discussed – listen here.

Center strengthens commitment to environmental change

ORLANDO, Fla. (March 18, 2009) – The Orange County Convention Center, in partnership with OUC—The Reliable One, was awarded a $2.5 million grant from the state of Florida to be used, along with other funding sources, to install a one-megawatt rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system.  The largest PV system of its kind in the southeastern United States, the solar panel project will be complete and celebrated on May 20, 2009, during the general session of the Green Cities Florida 2009 conference at the Center.

In addition to the grant, OUC is contributing $1.5 million to the project and will receive 10 years worth of Renewable Energy Credits in that amount. The PV system will utilize high-efficiency, flat-plate collectors, expected to occupy approximately 200,000 square feet of roof space on the North/South Building.  The one-megawatt solar PV system will generate 1,300 to 1,500 megawatt hours of electricity per year, which is equivalent to the power used by 80 to 100 typical homes, and it will do so without producing any greenhouse gas emissions.  The benefits of generating electricity with solar energy include reducing energy costs, while helping to reduce global warming and dependence on foreign fuels.

This $8.8 million multi-purpose project also features a Climate-Change Education Center (CCEC) inside the Convention Center to promote the many environmental and economic benefits of solar and other renewable-energy technologies.  A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the CCEC will be held during an evening reception on the first day of the Green Cities Florida 2009 conference on May 19, 2009.

The OCCC has become an industry leader in environmental best practices, beginning in early 2007 when it became the first convention center in the U.S. to become ISO 14001 Certified for its recycling program.  Other green projects at the Center include purchasing recycled products, using reclaimed water for landscaping irrigation, installing Xeriscape plantings, using Green-Seal certified cleaning products and installing waterless urinals and low-flow faucets, to name a few.  In addition to its facility-related green initiatives, the OCCC works closely with event organizers to support their efforts for green events, shows and meetings.

[ Read press release ]

ORLANDO PICKED FOR FLORIDA GREEN CITIES CONFERENCE

State, County, Municipal, Business and Community Leaders to Ignite Florida’s Green Economy

Seven Star, the world’s largest green events production company, has selected Orlando as the host city for Green Cities™ Florida 2009. The conference, which attracts community, government and business leaders from throughout the region, will be held May 19-21, 2009 at the Orange County Convention Center South Concourse Building. The event will coincide with the grand opening of the Orange County Climate Change Center and the unveiling of a new (1) one megawatt solar PV system on the roof of the Convention Center.

The mission of Green Cities™ Florida is to empower business leaders, government directors, and organization decision-makers to understand their full range of options for local green economies, as well as actions they can take to save money, protect the environment, and enhance community through sustainable practices. Educational tracks include opportunities for attendees to receive certification and continuing education credits. Other sessions will cover topics ranging widely from Green Governance to Urban Planning, Green Business & Procurement to Green Tourism, Hospitality, Travel, Entertainment, and from Civic Engagement to Business Development.

“With our history of innovation and environmental stewardship, Orlando is poised to become the America’s center of innovation in clean, green technologies,” said Christian Oleck, Chairman of the City of Orlando Sustainability Team. “Like many Floridian cities, Orlando’s goals for innovation, sustainability, and green mobility are bold and comprehensive. With the support and energy of a state wide event like Green Cities Florida, I believe that in 15 years, we can succeed and build a better future for our children, our residents, and the world.”

The Green Cities™ Conference will offer a high-tech, interactive, outcome based, portfolio of seminars on sustainable solutions, presented by the nation’s leading green business, government, business, and technology experts. Green Cities™ prepares business and government with specific tactics for participating in this growing green economy. There will be over 70 presenters and more than 1,200 expected attendees.

“Small to medium businesses want to go green, and so do their host cities.” says Joseph Malki, Executive Co-Producer of the event and VP of Seven-Star. “Our Green Cities events provide the practical “how-to’s” from successful innovators across sectors of industry and government management. Since 1999 we have been offering “nuts-and-bolts” workshops and conferences inspiring leaders to adopt that “green” spark.”

Early bird registration for Green Cities™ Florida ends May 4^th. To register, or for more information, please visit www.greencities.com.

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About Green Cities™

Green Cities™ is produced by Seven-Star, Inc., an EPA award winning green event and green education expert, in association with Climate Culture International, a sustainable consultancy for business and government. To register, or for more information, please visit www.greencities.com.

Press Inquiries:

Ian Bryan
828.242.1868

ianbryan@sensiblecity.com