Fiscal Note
In the adopted 2018 Capital Budget Engineering-Facilities Management has budgeted $40,000 GO Borrowing within the Sustainability Improvements program (MUNIS 10563) for this proposed support to Sustain Dane MPower Champions Program.
Title
Funding for Sustain Dane's MPower Champions Program.
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WHEREAS, Sustain Dane's MPower Champions Program, MPower, is a one-year, fully customizable program for businesses and organizations in the Greater Madison Region that want to reduce their environmental impact while saving costs and creating a healthier and more engaging workplace and community; and,
WHEREAS, MPower is a proven and nationally recognized model for achieving sustainability success from within an organization, both EPA administrators Jackson and McCarthy have visited Madison to congratulate Madison on a collaborative approach to engaging the community in meaningful carbon reduction and the accompanying health related co-benefits through MPower; and,
WHEREAS, since 2009, over 95 Madison-area businesses and organizations have excelled as MPower Business Champions, creating positive change in areas of waste reduction, energy efficiency, transportation, supply chain efficiency, employee health and wellness, employee and community engagement, and more; and,
WHEREAS, as a result of the program, MPower Business Champions collectively realize an annual reduction of 27,023 tons of CO2 emissions, the equivalent of removing 5,700 cars from Wisconsin roads and a cost savings of over $1,763,000 each year; and,
WHEREAS, Sustain Dane started the MPower program in 2007 as a pledge campaign for businesses and individuals to reduce their carbon footprint and in 2009, Sustain Dane received and administered an EPA P2 grant in partnership with the City of Madison and Madison Gas & Electric in which MPower Champions Program was developed; and,
WHEREAS, in 2011, the City of Madison and Sustain Dane received a three-year Climate Showcase Community (CSC) Grant from the EPA, with the entire local match being made by Madison Gas & Electric; and,
WHEREAS, during the three-year CSC grant period, Sustain Dane carefully managed resources and secured a no-cost grant extension for partial funding to be used to partially fund the program in 2014; and,
WHEREAS, along with leveraging additional funds from MGE ($44,000), and opening up the program for corporate sponsorship, Sustain Dane offered the program in 2014 and 2015 while keeping participation fees low to ensure cost is not a barrier for participation; and,
WHEREAS, Sustain Dane is engaging additional businesses in sustainable business practices beyond the MPower cohort by opening up the program's educational session to the Sustainable Business Network and the entire community; and,
WHEREAS, Sustain Dane is engaging a self-sustaining pilot replication site in La Crosse with the Sustainability Institute at Western Technical College, thus showcasing the City of Madison’s leadership around the state and country; and,
WHEREAS, Sustain Dane secured funds from the U.S. EPA in the amount of $51,850 and from MGE in the amount of $44,000 and from the City of Madison in the amount of $40,000 to be used for a 8th program year in 2016; and,
WHEREAS, Sustain Dane has secured funds from the U.S. EPA in the amount of $51,850 to be used for a 9th program year in 2017; and,
WHEREAS, Sustain Dane seeks assistance from The City of Madison in the amount of $40,000 to implement and expand MPower for a 10th cohort of businesses in 2018; and,
WHEREAS, Sustain Dane plans to apply for assistance in 2018 from MGE; and,
WHEREAS, Sustain Dane has submitted applications for grants through the Carolyn Foundation and the Lawrence Foundation for 2018 funding; and,
WHEREAS, by partially funding MPower 2018, The City of Madison assumes a leadership role in climate change mitigation and preparedness, in positioning our businesses to thrive in the future, demonstrates its commitment to innovation, being proactive in addressing the regions challenges, ensuring the Madison continues to be attractive to people and businesses by supporting the health of our environment, the competitiveness of our local businesses, and the meaningful connections among our citizens; and,
WHEREAS, additional benefits for The City of Madison by taking a financial and leadership role in MPower 2018 is the opportunity for City Employees to participate in MPower’s monthly educational Sustainability Sessions, and the invitation to participate in the full MPower program year by developing a department or facility Green Team; and,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and the City Clerk are hereby authorized to provide funds in the amount of $40,000 to Sustain Dane to support MPower in 2018.