Fiscal Note
Funding is available through the 2014 Adopted Facilities Management Capital Budget - Implementing the Sustainability Plan account CB53-54950-810778.
Title
Funding for Sustain Dane's Mpower Champions Program
Body
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 70 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 26,110 tons of CO2 emissions, the equivalent of removing 5,200 cars from Wisconsin roads and a cost savings of over $1,657,000 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, and opening up the program for corporate sponsorship, Sustain Dane is offering the program in 2014 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 has secured funds from MGE in the amount of $44,000 to be used for a 7th program year in 2015; and,
WHEREAS, Sustain Dane seeks assistance from the City of Madison in the amount of $40,000 to implement and expand MPower for a 7th cohort of businesses in 2015; and,
WHEREAS, Sustain Dane plans to apply for EPA P2 assistance in 2015 and will use both MGE money and City of Madison money as local match to ensure a strong application; and,
WHEREAS, the City entered into a Contract for Purchase of Services with Sustain Dane to continue Mpower through 2014; and,
WHEREAS, by partially funding MPower 2015, 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.
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 2015.