About the Green Team

The Morgantown Municipal Green Team was established in 2007 by the Morgantown City Manager to serve as an advisory body to the City Manager and City Council in helping to guide public policy, planning, education, departmental management, new development, and evaluation of environmental and energy related matters. Participants in the Municipal Green Team include skilled citizens who can provide expertise, analyze and interpret data, develop environmentally-responsible plans, carry out projects and assist in educational opportunities.

Purpose of the Green Team:

The purpose of the Municipal Green Team is to:

• Enable continued progress by the City towards meeting the objectives of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement by reducing negative public impact on the climate, improving efficiency in the public use of energy resources, and identifying steps which can be taken to achieve greater stewardship in both.
• Assist the City of Morgantown in understanding its responsibility for its own impact on climate change, as well as educate the community in how it can become more energy efficient and climate sensitive.
• Facilitate implementation of the Green Building Municipal Leadership Initiative (adopted October 3, 2006) and to promote the adoption of LEED and Energy Star standards for municipal structures and, when possible, for private commercial and residential construction.
• Provide review and recommendations on planning for increased energy efficiency throughout the City's facilities and operations.
• Study and make recommendations for ways to generate green vehicle and travel solutions for City personnel and departments.
• Evaluate City procurement and disposal policies and practices and make recommendations in collaboration with City personnel that will create more environmentally responsible alternatives.
• Identify and promote renewable energy solutions that are consistent with needs, opportunities and resources available to the Greater Morgantown area.

Duties: The duties of the Municipal Green Team are as follows:

• Advise and consult with the City Manager and the City Council on all matters pertaining to the authority and purpose of the Municipal Green Team.
• Utilize expertise, data, and resourcefulness in preparing recommendations, plans, projects, and evaluations.
• Collaborate with other local resource persons as needed who can contribute to the formulation of feasible recommendations.
• Network with other cities participating in efforts to meet the standards and/or fulfill the intent of the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, the Cool Cities Pledge, LEED and ENERGY STAR standards.
• Support education efforts that will encourage environmental responsibility and energy efficiency.

The Municipal Green Team has four subcommittees that address specific areas:

• Energy Committee
• Green Architecture Committee
• Recycling Committee
• Transportation Committee

The Municipal Green Team has already played a valuable role in several ongoing activities, including assisting in the review of plans for the proposed North Side Fire Station and the Marina Event Center, as well as assisting in the development of recommendations for increasing the energy efficiency of municipal buildings.

The Municipal Green Team meets on the first Thursday of each month from 4-6 PM in the Public Safety building, corner of Walnut and Spruce Streets, downtown Morgantown.