Programs & Resources

Alternative Fueled Vehicles
By 1999, increased concentrations of air toxics across parts of Minnesota had exceeded health guidelines and increased the risk of cancer, according to a study published that year by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). As the MPCA observed, a major source of this air pollution comes from cars, trucks, and other vehicles. The City of St. Louis Park promotes alternative use vehicles. It was the first city in the state to own an E-85 pump to fuel its E-85 fleet and owns and operates hybrid vehicles as well. For more information about alternative fueled vehicles see Green Guardian.

Green Business Program & Awards
Our businesses have an impact on the environment just as you do. The St. Louis Park Green Business Program promotes and recognizes local businesses that make environmentally friendly choices in managing their resources, such as recycling waste, reducing packaging, or reuse of materials.

2008 award applications are currently being accepted. The deadline to apply has been extended through October 2008. All businesses, schools, non-profits, of any size are eligible to apply. Winning applicants will be notified in the fall and announced at a December City Council meeting, and announced on community television and in local newspapers. 

Click here for an application. Complete and send the application to the city.

 2007 Award Winners:

General Office Products - an office furniture refurbish and retail company 

• Purchases used furniture, refurbish and sell $3,000,000 annually. Their new furniture is recyclable and/or made from recyclable materials. Reduces paper use by 60,000 sheets per year using electronic computer files.

Rainbow Treecare - provides services to promote the health and preservation of urban trees

• Pioneered injection of trees to avoid contaminating air and creating environmental drift.
• Promotes healthy urban forests, which helps increase energy efficiency and savings and provides a wide range of environmental benefits.

 
Stahl Construction - general contracting, design and building services for institutional and commercial buildings 

• Attempts to assign field superintendents close to homes to reduce drive time to sites. Uses subcontractors that recycle and remanufacture materials. Wood, concrete, cardboard, plastics and metals are recycled or reused.

Click here to see previous award winners.

LEED U. S. Green Building Council - Mississippi Headwaters
Their mission is to positively transform the building processes, building industry and communities of our region, by drawing upon the experience of stakeholders in the built environment. Their vision is to achieve a sustainable built environment, including green buildings and healthy communities in the upper Midwest.

For more information about the U.S. Green Building Council, click here.

For more information about LEED Green Building Rating System®, click here.

NextStep
A comprehensive web site sponsored by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for people who want to find and share resources on sustainability. Click here for more information.

Post Carbon Institute
The Post Carbon Institute is an action, education, and think tank offering research, project tools, education and information to implement proactive strategies to adapt to an energy constrained world. The Institute works locally and regionally with community groups, governments, businesses and other public and private organizations.

For more information, click here.

Sundays Energy
Sundays Energy is a Minneapolis, employee-owned company dedicated to advancing environmental sustainability. Sundays Energy focuses its collaborations with the green community, but also works with regional and national socially minded businesses and non-profits.

For more information, click here.