The PrivateBank eNews welcomes the contribution of Dennis Murphey in our new Environmental section, “Going Green.”

Murphey is the Chief Environmental Officer for Kansas City, Missouri. Since March 2006 he has led the Office of Environmental Quality of Kansas City and reports directly to the City Manager. Dennis has 30 years of environmental management experience in the public and private sectors.

Dennis previously worked for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality as the state’s chief regulator overseeing destruction of chemical weapons at the U.S. Army’s Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility.

He also served as

• Director of Environmental Management for the City of Cincinnati;
• Director of the Center for Environmental Education & Training, University of Kansas;
• Director of the Bureau of Waste Management, Kansas Department of Health and Environment
• Environmental Manager at a major chemical manufacturing facility.

Dennis will be the eNews Contributing Editor for our new Environmental section which premiers with this issue. We are pleased to have him participate as we focus on Going Green in Kansas City.

KC Green – Front and Center

By Dennis Murphey,
Chief Environmental Officer
City of Kansas City, MO

These days we're hearing a lot about climate change and the effect it is having on our world. With growing public interest in energy efficiency, renewable energy, high-mileage hybrid vehicles, and a light rail transit system, a new emphasis on environmental quality is sweeping the metro area. For most people, though, it's hard to imagine how a single person can help solve a global problem.

The truth is, one person can make a difference, an entire city can make a big difference, and a metro area working together can make an even bigger difference. Former Mayor Kay Barnes and current Mayor Mark Funkhouser both signed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and committed the City of Kansas City to develop a climate protection plan to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

 

Kansas City Green House Gas (GHG) Reduction Measures – Phase I

Explore onsite renewable energy generation at City facilities, Purchase “Green Power,” Expand the use of alternative fuels, Synchronize traffic signals, Enhance our bike and pedestrian infrastructure, Implement light rail as a part of a healthy public transit system, Increase recycling of solid wastes, Expand tree planting and native landscaping, Implement a broad-based public communications and public engagement plan, and Promote climate protection as a regional priority for the metro area.

 

On November 2, 2007 a bi-state coalition of 16 metro area mayors also signed the Agreement and committed to work together to reduce GHG emissions across the region. In October 2007, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce created a new Climate Protection Partnership to promote collaboration by metro area employers (public, private, and non-profit) to reduce GHG emissions.

Already, Kansas City has taken action to reduce GHGs through initiatives such as the use of alternative fuels (including biodiesel and compressed natural gas) in the City's fleet; developing a city-wide master trails plan; adopting certain "green building” standards; implementing energy conservation measures in City Hall, the Convention Center complex, KCI airport, and the Water Services Department; and educating businesses, organizations and citizens.

Additional work remains to save Kansas City money, lower our dependence on imported oil, improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods, and benefit our economy through investment in modern and efficient technologies. Implementing a viable climate protection plan for Kansas City requires community-wide participation by government, businesses, schools, faith-based organizations, non-profit organizations, neighborhood associations, and individuals.

Eleven community leaders are serving on Kansas City’s Climate Protection Plan Steering Committee to provide oversight of the planning process, establish GHG reduction goals, and determine GHG reduction measures that will be included in the plan submitted to the City Council. In addition, many individuals are volunteering their time and efforts on work groups to develop GHG reduction measures for consideration by the Steering Committee.

On April 2, 2007, the Steering Committee submitted a Progress Report on Climate Protection to the City Council with a list of initial GHG reduction measures to be implemented while development of the climate protection plan is ongoing. On April 12, 2007 the City Council unanimously adopted four recommendations from the Steering Committee:

1. It shall be the policy of the City that climate protection and GHG reductions shall be key factors in all decisions and actions by the City.

2. The City’s goal shall be to reduce GHG emissions from City government operations by 30% below year 2000 levels by the year 2020 and the City shall work with the Steering Committee to develop a realistic, but ambitious, goal for community-wide GHG reductions.

3. The City adopts the Phase 1 GHG reduction measures in the Progress Report on Climate Protection.

4. The climate protection planning process shall continue with the existing Steering Committee throughout 2007.

The Phase 1 GHG reduction measures include a wide range of actions to reduce energy use, explore onsite renewable energy generation at City facilities, purchase green power, expand the use of alternative fuels, synchronize traffic signals, enhance our bike and pedestrian infrastructure, implement light rail as a part of a healthy public transit system, increase recycling of solid wastes, expand tree planting and native landscaping, implement a broad-based public communications and public engagement plan, and promote climate protection as a regional priority for the metro area.

Kansas City will encourage individuals, other government entities, and businesses to improve energy efficiency and implement GHG reductions. Working together, we can make a huge difference in the environmental legacy we will leave for our children and future generations.

For more information, contact Dennis Murphey at 816-513-3459 or dennis_murphey@kcmo.org.

Ed. Note: We are pleased to welcome Dennis Murphey as Contributing Editor of The PrivateBank eNews Environmental section.