The Baltimore City Council voted unanimously on March 2, 2009 to adopt the Baltimore Sustainability Plan. Now a city ordinance, the plan is supposed guide future legislation. In addition to being a prescription for Baltimore lawmaking, the plan promises accountability through annual progress reports.
Baltidome encourages you to be a sustainability watchdog and keep your eye on Baltimore City Council’s progress. The plan is 57 pages long. It includes numerous objectives, such as creating a brand for Baltimore’s sustainability initiative and promoting Baltimore as a green city. To help you focus on the fundamental objectives (and so you don’t have to read the whole darn thing!), Baltidome highlights some key goals from the plan:
Goal: Eliminate Litter
Strategy:
-Implement a pilot program of recycling bins at the Inner Harbor.
-Place an additional 1050 trashcans at key locations around the city.
-Provide each residence with a large municipal lidded trashcan.
-Penalize citizens who do not place their trash in cans.
Goal: Reduce Baltimore’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 15% by 2015
Strategy:
-Create a Climate Action Plan and implement this plan.
Goal: Reduce Baltimore’s Energy Use by 15% by 2015
Strategy:
-Require energy efficiency building standards for projects over 10,000sq ft.
-Use “methane-capture technology” to create renewable power at the city’s wastewater treatment facilities.
-Mandate efficiency upgrades to homes at point of sale.
Goal: Transform Baltimore’s 30,000 Vacant Lots From A Liability To An Asset.
Strategy:
-Create a Land Trust for the city owned spaces.
-The Land Trust would create measures encouraging communities to utilize vacant lots for recreation, gardening and other community enhancing projects.
-Levy a fee on property owners who do not maintain their vacant property.
Goal: Double Baltimore’s Tree Canopy by 2037
Strategy:
-Increase tree plantings throughout the city through Baltimore’s Tree Baltimore Program.
(To learn more about Tree Baltimore on Baltidome, CLICK HERE)
Goal: Make Baltimore Bicycle & Pedestrian Friendly
Strategy:
-Complete the Bicycle Master Plan, approved in 2006, that has only been partially implemented to date.
-Develop a Bike To Work program and a Bike Sharing program.
Goal: Make Every Baltimore School a Green School
Strategy:
-Add green features to current buildings.
-Adopt the national LEED Schools Rating System for all current and future Baltimore City school structures.
-Implement green facilities management practices, including green cleaning.
Goal: Create Green Jobs
Strategy:
-Expand industries in alternative energy, renewable fuels, energy efficient technology, waste reduction, environmental services & green building materials.
-Create and host a Green Collar Summit.
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