Dunedin Designated Platinum Certified Green Local Government

DUNEDIN, FL — The Florida Green Building Coalition has recognized the City of Dunedin’s environmental stewardship by again designating it as a Certified Green Local Government at the Platinum level.

FGBC Executive Director C.J. Davila presented the city with its certification at the November City Commission meeting at Dunedin City Hall.

“Congratulations to Dunedin. The administration and staff have shown their steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship. The city continues to monitor and track usage in city buildings to look for opportunities for conservation and increased energy efficiency, and develop and enact policies and ordinances to accomplish some environmental objectives.,” said Davila.

The success of the FGBC local government program emanates from the fact that there is a sizeable and compelling return on investment for any municipality thus reducing the cost to taxpayers. To date, 78 local governments have participated in the program.

The recertification effort was spearheaded by Natalie Henley, City of Dunedin sustainability program coordinator, the Committee on Environmental Quality, and key contributing staff from several departments.

The Florida Green Building Coalition was formed in 2000 and is the leading certifying agency for local governments and green building in the state, having just surpassed 29,000 projects.

Dunedin received points or “credits” for activities, ordinances and programs that improve the city’s environmental performance in the areas of energy, water, air, land, and waste and recycling.

Dunedin's green programs include:

• The city currently has a program in which residents can apply for a rebate for installing solar. The grant is at a rate of $0.25 per watt of solar power generated for a maximum grant of $2,500.
• The City of Dunedin Solid Waste Division has several programs and services to help residents go green including curbside and drop-off recycling and recycling of electronics and chemicals.
• The city produces water for residents and businesses using the Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Facility. Water resources are managed through conservation and wellhead protection and watering restrictions have been in place since 1991.
• The city is committed to designing and building high-performance buildings that protect natural resources and improve the quality of air and water while costing less to operate. Additionally, Dunedin's Green Building Code provides financial incentives for green-certified building projects.
• The city has put together a Green Business Directory made up of businesses that have made a commitment to the environment in their business practices.
• Dunedin was just designated the home base for the Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot project, part of an international mission by Blue Green Connections and Mission Blue to bring more research, education and protection to local waters.
• The city provides free rain barrels to Dunedin residents to collect rainwater for landscape irrigation.
• The Dunedin Community Garden Association provides a garden for residents to grow their own vegetables and socialize with other gardeners.
• The city provides environmental education programs in the school such as the Waste Reduction Challenge and in-school recycling programs.