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Background and Research ocal governments have long been recognized as key actors in the effort to reduce greenhouse gases and achieve other beneficial environmental outcomes. Their influence extends from their own operations to the community as a whole. For example, buildings are the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, and energy use from city and county buildings represent about one-fifth of all public building greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota) There are enormous opportunities to reduce environmental impacts within local government operations, and local governments most directly control local development patterns, which can have large implications for greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts. Local governments are also the closest and most accessible unit of government to individuals and businesses whose actions can reduce greenhouse gases. Local government leadership can set the tone and influence the actions of entire communities and they are well-positioned to help lead community- wide efforts. Yet despite this potential, local governments have not had as much success in this area as might be hoped, and several obstacles commonly discourage them from embracing a leadership role. Cities, especially midsize and small cities, lack the staffing resources to research, plan, and implement new sustainability initiatives. While the will might exist, the pathway and simple steps to get there are less clear. There is no single clearinghouse of information for all Minnesota cities that contains a set of best practices and how to implement them. We found numerous examples of innovative individual actions that local governments are taking (see Appendix F), but it was raze to find - local governments that comprehensively addressed reducing global warming and other environmental impacts within government operations and throughout the community. Partially inspired by the now -defunct Minnesota Star Cities program and initially referred to as the "Green Star Cities Initiative," GreenStep Cities was conceived in 2007 by the volunteers and staff of the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) partnership as an action -oriented program with the following mission: A voluntary program for all Minnesota cities to identify, support, and recognize implementation of set ofsustaintable development best practices focusing on greenhouse gar reductions that lead cities beyond compliance and encourage a culture ofinnovation. In addition to the environmental benefits, it was anticipated that the direct benefits to cities of implementing the best practices promoted by the GreenStep Cities program would include: • Reduced energy costs. A focus on cost effectiveness, particularly energy efficiency, will result in cities saving money, and be a demonstration of fiscal responsibility to their constituents. • Improved quality of life and desirable places to live and work for residents. Environmental characteristics of a community are increasingly important for residents and businesses. An environmental program such as the GreenStep Cities program can be part of a city's broader effort to attract and retain businesses and residents by malting the city an attractive place to live and work. A GreenStep Cities recognition could provide instant and credible advertisement of a city's effort to become more sustainable. 1 Based on information analyzed by the Weidt Group, considering less than half of existing public buildings. L. Grecian, T. McDougal, L. Steidel, J. Stieff. "Minnesota B3 Benchmarking Results: prioritizing the energy savings opportunity in Minnesota public buildings."ACEEE 2008 Summer Study Conference Proceedings. 2 Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program Proposal