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Peoria Focus Online - 2009, Issue 2 |
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City Places Priority on Environment Operations Re-Evaluated with Eye On Sustainability In Carl Swenson’s first year as Peoria’s city manager, he has emphasized making the government more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. "Not only is this important for environmental reasons," he says, "it is imperative during these tight economic times." Swenson has directed senior managers to come up with energy-saving ideas. Leading the effort is Deputy City Manager Susan Daluddung, who heads a group of department directors and division managers working arm-in-arm with the employee Green Team, formed last year by city workers who wanted to |
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reduce the environmental impact of municipal operations. "We’re determined to make Peoria an innovative leader in sustainable activity by refining our practices and improving the quality of our services while being mindful of our environment," Daluddung says. "The challenge for departments is to maintain services to residents but deliver them in a way that doesn’t do any harm." Working in small teams, members of Daluddung’s group are studying the gamut of city operations, as well as looking for potential private-sector partners and ways to involve Peoria residents. Meanwhile, city management isn’t waiting to pick the low-hanging fruit. Swenson has directed employees to turn off lights, computers and peripherals at the end of the day; refrain from using personal electrical items in their work spaces; set office thermostats higher in the summer and lower in the winter; and re-evaluate the use of city vehicles, adding more hybrids to the fleet. The city manager would like to see the municipal government reduce the amount it spends on energy by 10 percent in the next 12 months – nearly $770,000. For more information, visit www.peoriaaz.gov/sustainability. |
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SUSTAINABILITY MISSION The City of Peoria is committed to providing an environment in which our natural resources, our people and our economy are balanced. We will not compromise the future by focusing solely on the needs of today. We aspire to make Peoria a leader that develops, promotes and improves the quality of our community through sustainable practices. |
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