Sustainable Practices in Government Agencies Survey Results Report

Baxter & Woodman advocates for asustainable future. We will educateour sta and clients, innovateprocesses, and integrate solutionsthat provide a responsible balanceof economic, environmental, Sustainable Practices inoperational, and social value. Government Agencies Survey Results Report Sustainable Thinking. Let it grow on you. Baxter & Woodman, thoughtfully planning for tomorrow.

Sustainable Practices in Government Agencies Survey Results Report by Lori Schendl © 2010 Baxter & Woodman, Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Sustainable Thinking. Let it grow on you.Sustainable Practices in Government Agencies Survey Results Report

Table of Contents Introduction......................................................1 Executive Summary..........................................2 Survey Results..................................................3 Conclusions.....................................................12Sustainable Practices in Government Agencies Survey Results Report

IntroductionBaxter & Woodman’s Sustainable Mission Statement:Baxter & Woodman advocates for a sustainable future. We will educate our staff and clients,innovate processes, and integrate solutions that provide a responsible balance of economic,environmental, operational, and social value.Survey BackgroundIn order to support our mission, a survey was commissioned in August of 2010 to determinesustainable practices and trends within government agencies. The survey, titled SustainablePractices within Government Agencies, was emailed to approximately 1000 public organizationsand Baxter & Woodman contacts. Over 100 recipients participated in the survey. While mostof the responses were received from local municipal officials in Illinois and Wisconsin, a fewreplies came from as far away as Georgia and South Carolina. Organizations responding tothe survey included municipalities, sanitary districts, water utilities, townships, conservationdistricts, transportation authorities and more.The survey was conducted to: • gauge local interest in sustainable services, • determine which sustainable services are being implemented, • identify which sustainable services agencies want to learn more about, and • establish which sustainability topic learning methods are deemed valuable.The information gathered from the survey will be used to: • further develop Baxter & Woodman’s sustainable services...tailoring these services to meet the needs of government agencies, • identify sustainable services to target for educational materials, case studies, etc., • share valuable data on current sustainability trends in the industry, and • create baseline data for continuing to enhance sustainability efforts for our clients.Sustainable Practices in Government Agencies Survey Results Report Page 1

Executive Summary• Government agencies deem sustainability as a practice worth undertaking. Sustainability is somewhat or extremely important to an overwhelming majority of 88% of our respondents. A very small percentage of respondents (9%) cited that sustainability was ONLY important when cost benefits where apparent.• 15% of survey respondents have a FORMALIZED Sustainability Plan or Ordinances in place. 42% have INFORMAL Sustainability Plans and Ordinances in place, while 43% currently have NO Sustainability Plans or Ordinances in the works.• 46% of communities cited that they pursue LEED certification, 37% participate in WaterSense and 62% attempt to achieve Energy Star Ratings.• 65% of respondents HAVE incorporated sustainability into their community and/or projects.• Not surprisingly, lack of funding was cited by 80% of our respondents as the biggest challenge faced when incorporating sustainability into their community and projects. Along these lines, 40% of our respondents HAVE applied for sustainable funding.• Energy Audits (47%), Expanding and Maintaining Tree Cover (46%), and Installing LED Street Lighting (41%) all topped the list as sustainable services that communities are VERY LIKELY to pursue. On the other hand, Installing Green Roofs was selected as the sustainable service that communities are LEAST LIKELY to pursue.• The desire for additional information on sustainable topics is great. Over 93% of our respondents want additional information on sustainable funding opportunities. 81% of respondents deemed Email funding alerts as a valuable tool.Sustainable Practices in Government Agencies Survey Results Report Page 2

Survey ResultsHow important is incorporating sustainable practices?Sustainability continues to gather momentum. The survey finds that incorporating sustainablepractices is important to an overwhelming majority of respondents. 88% of respondentsstated that incorporating sustainable practices into their communities and projects was eitherExtremely Important or Somewhat Important.Saving money is not the sole motivator when it comes to incorporating sustainable practices.A low percentage of respondents, only 10%, deemed incorporating sustainable practiceimportant ONLY when cost benefits are apparent. How important is incorporating sustainable practices into your community and projects? 2.9% 9.7% Extremely Important 40.8% Somewhat Important Not Important 46.6% Important only when cost benefits are apparentSustainable Practices in Government Agencies Survey Results Report Page 3

Do you have a sustainable plan in place?41% of our respondents already have an INFORMAL Sustainability plan or ordinances inplace. Another 15% of respondents currently have a FORMAL plan in place for incorporatingsustainable practices. The remaining 44% have NO sustainable plan or ordinances in place atthis time.Survey says...“We have Ordinances for storm water BMPs and energy codes and water conservation.”“My community is working on a sustainable master plan. In the meantime, there are many actions taken topromote and to become more sustainable.” Which of these statements is true? 15.0% My community has no Sustainability Plan or ordinances. 44.0% My community has an informal Sustainability Plan or ordinances. My community has a 41.0% formalized Sustainability Plan or ordinances.Sustainable Practices in Government Agencies Survey Results Report Page 4

Does your community pursue any of the following? LEED Certification, Water Sense and Energy Star were listed as possible choices of sustainable programs/certifications that respondents might be seeking or actively participating in. While less than half of our respondents actively participate in the LEED and WaterSense programs, 63% stated that they pursue Energy Star Ratings. Survey says... “Recently we became an Energy Star Partner!” “We have pursued and achieved the Bronze level from Clean Air Counts” Does your community pursue any of the following?70.0% 63.0%60.0% 44.4%50.0% 35.2%40.0%30.0%20.0%10.0% 0.0% LEED Certification Energy Star Ratings WaterSense Sustainable Practices in Government Agencies Survey Results Report Page 5

Have you incorporated sustainability into your community and/or projects?64% of respondents have incorporated sustainability into their community or project. Recurringthemes seem to be energy efficiency/reduction and water conservation efforts. Types ofsustainable features/projects that were listed by respondents include:Survey says...• Energy Efficiency and Reduction, Energy Audits • Capital Project Incorporating Sustainable Features• Geothermal • All New City Buildings - LEED ONLY!• Pervious Pavement • Stormwater BMPs• Shade Trees in Landscaping • Trenchless Technology• Green Roofs • Rain Gardens• Solar Powered Pedestrian Crossing Lights • Water Conservation Ordinance• LED Traffic Control Lighting • Solar Aerators• Planned Native Plantings, Grass Swales • Recycled Steel Sign Posts• Changeover to Fluorescent Lighting • Solar System at WWTF• Sustainability in Product Purchases • Flex, Hybrid, Biodiesel Vehicle Replacement Have you incorporated sustainability into your community and/or projects? 35.6% Yes No 64.4%Sustainable Practices in Government Agencies Survey Results Report Page 6

What challenges do you face when incorporating sustainability into your community and projects? Lack of Funding was cited by almost 80% of our survey respondents as a challenge with incorporating sustainability. Not a surprising result in this challenging economic environment. Survey says... “Limited public knowledge and demand; staff buy-in” “Sometimes the ordinances in place in the Subdivision Regulations and Zoning Ordinance are in contradiction. Education of BMPs seems to be the biggest hurdle in the development community, public and staff.” What challenges do you face when incorporating sustainability into your community and projects?90.0% 79.4%80.0%70.0%60.0%50.0% 44.1% 40.2%40.0%30.0% 21.6%20.0% 13.7%10.0% 4.9%0.0% Board/Council Buy-in Lack of Funding None of the Above Limited Staff Lack of Public Not Offering Knowledge Consultants Sustainable Options Support Sustainable Practices in Government Agencies Survey Results Report Page 7

Have you ever applied for sustainable funding?61% of our respondents have not applied for any type of sustainable funding. Of those that have ap-plied, Energy Grant Funds are the most popular including; Energy Efficiency and Block Grant funding,ComED, Illinois Clean Energy Foundation WPPI Energy, and Focus on Energy.Survey says...“To be honest, in order to obtain various funding opportunities, sustainable projects are a priority.”“Energy grants, bicycle racks, water quality projects” Have you ever applied for sustainable funding? Yes No 39.4% 60.6%Sustainable Practices in Government Agencies Survey Results Report Page 8

How likely is your community to pursue the following sustainable service/ technique or process? Toping the list of the sustainable services or techniques that communities are VERY LIKELY to pursue are Energy Audits at 47%, Expanding and Maintaining Tree Cover at 46% and Installing LED Street Lighting at 41%. Installing Green Roofs is the technique that is the LEAST LIKELY of the sustainable services that were listed to be pursued at this time.60%50%40% Not at All30% Somewhat Very20%10%0% Water Conservation Plan Incorporate Natural Landscaping Expand and Maintain Tree Cover Install Bioswales/Rain Gardens Trenchless Rehabilitation/Installation of Underground Infrastructure Install LED Street Lighting Alternative Heating/Cooling Such as Geothermal or Heat Exchanger Maximize Efficiency by Upgrading Equipment at Pumping or Treatment Facilities Conduct an Energy Audit Install Green Roofs Utilize an Alternative Energy Source - Wind or Solar Create a Sustainable Community Plan Water Reuse Install Permeable Pavers Sustainable Practices in Government Agencies Survey Results Report Page 9

Which of the following sustainable topics would you like to learn more about? The desire for information on sustainable topics is great. An overwhelming majority of 93% of respondents want to learn more about Sustainable Funding Opportunities! Respondents are also looking for more information on Water Conservation Plans 73%, Utilizing an Alternative Energy Source 72%, Creating a Sustainable Community Plan 71% and Water Reuse 70%. Once again, the least popular topic is Installing Green Roofs, with 51% of respondents not interested in learning more on this concept.100%90%80% 100%70% 90% Yes - Learn More60% 80% No - Not Interest 70%50% Yes - Learn More 60%40% No - Not Interested 50%30% 40% 30%20% 20%10% 10% 0% 0% Create a Sustainable Community Plan Conduct an Energy Audit Utilize an Alternative Energy Source - Wind or Solar Water Conservation Plan Install Permeable Pavers Trenchless Rehabilitation/Installation of Underground Infrastructure Install LED Street Lighting Alternative Heating/Cooling Such as Geothermal or Heat Exchanger Maximize Efficiency by Upgrading Equipment at Pumping or Treatment Facilities Funding Opportunities Install Bioswales/Rain Gardens Water Reuse Incorporate Natural Landscaping Expand and Maintain Tree Cover Install Green Roofs Sustainable Practices in Government Agencies Survey Results Report Page 10

Which of the following do you consider to be valuable? (check all that apply) Email alerts on sustainable funding and white papers on sustainable topics were of high value to survey participants. While free webinars and low-cost energy audits were not as popular, they still had appeal to over half of the survey respondents. Which of the following do you consider to be valuable? (check all that apply)90.0% 81.6%80.0%70.0% 62.1%60.0% 53.4% 49.5%50.0%40.0%30.0%20.0%10.0%0.0% An email alert identifying A low-cost energy audit A free webinar focused on White papers on municipal identifying ways to sustainable funding lifecycle cost analysis sustainable topics opportunities save money Sustainable Practices in Government Agencies Survey Results Report Page 11

ConclusionsMunicipalities are eager to implement sustainability into their community and projects. Infact, as evidenced by the sustainable projects that they have already completed, many areembracing the sustainability effort.Funding sustainable efforts is a challenge that most government agencies share.Energy efficiency and water conservation are two sustainable services that communities havebeen undertaking and are likely to pursue in the future.Many communities are interested in creating or formalizing a sustainable community plan.Overall, government agencies are very interested in obtaining more information on a widevariety of sustainable topics and services. Sustainable Thinking. Let it grow on you.Sustainable Practices in Government Agencies Survey Results Report Page 12

From energy audits to email funding alerts, Baxter & Woodman is committed to providing sustainable services, programs and information to our clients.For additional information:Baxter & Woodman, Inc.Carolyn Grieves, PEcgrieves@baxterwoodman.com815.459.1260www.baxterwoodman.comSustainable Practices in Government Agencies Survey Results Report

Sustainable Practices in Government Agencies Survey Results Report

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