The City of Rock Island recognizes responsible environmental stewardship as part of its mission in serving the citizens of this community. The City is actively moving forward with innovative energy solutions that will create a healthier city that is safer and more secure. Mayor Schwiebert said, “Rock Island’s “Green Team” is an innovative municipal effort to bring all City departments together to figure out ways we can operate in a more efficient and environmentally responsible manner. We hope, through this team, to not only “think green” in our City operations, but to provide examples and practices for private businesses and individuals to follow in having a more favorable impact on our environment. We also see this team as affording an opportunity for saving taxpayer dollars through reduced utility charges, and for exploring new opportunities for economic growth.”

The City Manager created the Green Team which consists of volunteers from each city department who have an interest or passion to create a more sustainable environment. The mission is to create a healthier, safer city that encourages and implements sustainable growth and maintenance of the community. The team’s charter spans all aspects for municipal operation and includes making recommendations for potential ordinance changes to improve the overall quality of life in the community. Both short term and long term environmental and economic costs and benefits of current and potential policies are being scrutinized.

The Green Team drafted the Environmental Impact Policy which was adopted by the City Council on 10/08/2007. The Policy will be reviewed and updated to include new technologies and best practices. In order to continue making strides toward increased environmental sustainability, the City of Rock Island will regularly review and update the Environmental Impact Policy to include new technologies and best practices.

The Green Team is working to make Rock Island a leader in environmental solutions and is currently organized in the following subcommittees:

• Education, Outreach and Communications
  
• Waste Management
  
• Energy
  
• Budget and Grants
  
• Sustainable Development
  
• Environmental Management System
  

The subcommittees will focus on internal City programs and policies and then reach out to the community to accept and participate in responsible environmental programs. As one of the Green Team’s first initiatives, they helped register Rock Island as a Cool City!

Several of the Green Team’s missions include, providing education to the community about environmental issues, building sustainably, reducing energy use, and implementing environmental best practices for city facilities and operations. With a comprehensive approach, the City of Rock Island plans to be part of the solution to environmental problems, not the cause.

Click here to view the “Green Things” the City is currently doing.

Click here to view “20 Greening Tips for Employers” provided by the Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council.