Environmental Quality

When you think about sustainability, your first thoughts are probably about the environment. Environmental Quality refers to how decisions impact land, air and water. Like many organizations, we began our sustainability journey here, focusing on energy efficiency and recycling. 

We formally committed to protect our environment and conserve our natural resources in 2005 and haven't looked back. Check out our goals and commitments below.

Goals

We're striving to:

  • Operate city owned facilities with 100% renewable electricity by 2025
  • Reduce GHG emissions by 25% by 2021. We published our Grand Rapids Climate Resiliency Report at the end of 2013
  • Increase our tree canopy to 40% within all Grand Rapids neighborhoods. We want all residents to be able to walk to a park within a 10 minute walk from their home

 

Commitments

 

Accomplishments

  • We successfully separated our combined sewer overflow systems
  • We're continuing to implement green infrastructure such as landscaped areas and permeable paving. This diverts stormwater away from storm sewers, allowing it to replenish our groundwater
  • We offer free, single stream recycling to city residents and small businesses. We also support recycling at special events
  • We have multiple mobility options for people to get around the city. We've increased bus services, offer free DASH and Silverline routes downtown, made additional bike lanes and improved sidewalk maintenance

Mayor Bliss launched the Energy Advisory Committee in March of 2018. The purpose of this advisory committee is to engage thought leaders from a diverse set of businesses, non-profits, academia and governmental institutions to ensure that the City of Grand Rapids stays on the cutting edge of energy performance and renewable energy. The committee will focus on creating a comprehensive energy management plan that includes a renewable energy strategy, energy efficiency strategy for municipally owned facilities and a broader climate/greenhouse gas emissions plan. The committee will also support the City’s participation in the Zero Cities Project. Participants are selected by the Mayor and the committee meets approximately every other month.

City of Grand Rapids Energy Advisory Committee

Elected Officials 

Rosalynn Bliss
Mayor
City of Grand Rapids

Ruth Kelly
Commissioner
City of Grand Rapids

David Allen
Commissioner
City of Grand Rapids

Community Stakeholders

Paul Haan
Executive Director
Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan

Anne Sailers
Community Energy Services Manager
Holland Board of Public Works

Jim Lax
Meteorologist and Founder
Climate for Tomorrow

Jon Ippel
Executive Director
Amplify GR

Julio H. Morales
Executive Director, Customer Service
Consumer

Kris Spaulding
Co-Owner
Brewery Vivant

Margrethe Kearney
Senior Attorney
Environmental Law and Policy Center

Mary Ellen Mika
Global Compliance & Sustainability
Steelcase

Tavian Moore
Youth Council President
NAACP Greater Grand Rapids Branch

Natalie Stewart
Director of Govt. and Public Affairs
Switch

Steve Mulder
Climate Witness Project
Christian Reformed Church

Philip A. Guster
Program Manager
DTE Energy

Terri Novak
Manager 
Michigan Agency for Energy

Roger Burgess
Retired Engineer

City of Grand Rapids Staff

Alison Sutter
Sustainability Manager

Mike Lunn
Environmental Services Manager
Public Services

Kristin Pfauth
Project Manager
Engineering

Gary Reimer
Director of Facilities and Fleet Management

AJ Hills
Business Developer 
Administrative Services

Mike Dazy
Energy Intern

Laura Olson
Acting Assistant to the Mayor

Check out how we're implementing environmental sustainability through our key programs below.

Energy, climate and Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)

Programs and projects

Reports

Water

The water you drink and use everyday is a precious commodity. We're here to make sure it's maintained responsibly. Check out what we're up to at our related departments:

Environmental Services

Water System

Presentations

  • River for All Initiative
  • Partners for Places grant (WMEAC)
  • Stormwater Oversight Commission
  • Separation of combined sewer system

Reuse and recycling

Did you know that we offer free recycling services? That's right! All you have to do is sign up.

Sign up to start recycling

Want to get rewarded for recycling? Sign up for myGRcitypoints to earn points toward rewards at local businesses.

Green spaces

Did you know there are 74 city-owned parks? Check them out here. Make sure to visit the Parks and Recreation page to learn more about trails, forestry and park improvement projects. 

Mobility

There are many options to getting around Grand Rapids. Take a look at all the options we offer on the MobileGR and Parking Services page. 

Green buildings

We build with sustainability in mind and encourage others to do the same. We help eligible property owners with energy and water projects.Check if you're eligible for the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program.

Vital Streets

We're improving transportation in Grand Rapids through our Vital Streets Program. Improving street conditions helps to extend street life and reduce resource heavy reconstruction. Take a look at where we're making improvements and how the program works. 

We've published reports on our Environmental Quality commitments and accomplishments below.

City of Grand Rapids Energy and Climate Goals and Programs Presentation - 2018(PDF, 2MB)

Climate Resiliency Report - December, 2013(PDF, 3MB)

Green Grand Rapids - 2012(PDF, 23MB)

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy - 2009

Want to know what the plans are for City Parks and Recreation? Check out the Parks and Recreation Strategic Master Plan.

We're sharing our Environmental Quality story! Check out the links below to see what we're up to. 

2018

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

We partner with these local and regional groups to make Grand Rapids environmentally sustainable:

Want to be listed as one of our environmental sustainability partners? Send an email to sustainability@grcity.us.

There's a lot happening in the community around Environmental Quality. We hope to see you at local upcoming events - check back often!

Contáctenos

Ubicación

Grand Rapids

Contact Us

Phone

616-456-3689

 

Email

sustainability@grcity.us

 

Location

City Hall
300 Monroe Ave NW
4th Floor
Grand Rapids
49503

View Map

 

Sustainability Pillars

Under our QBL framework, we have three other pillars of sustainability. Click the links below to learn more about each. 

 

Social Responsibility

 

Economic Prosperity

 

Governmental Accountability

 

Office of Sustainability

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