: development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
City of Dallas Sustainability Action Plan and Index
Contents
Elements ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
Transportation .......................................................................................................................................... 5
Land Use.................................................................................................................................................... 5
Energy ....................................................................................................................................................... 6
Water ........................................................................................................................................................ 6
Air Quality ................................................................................................................................................. 7
Waste ........................................................................................................................................................ 8
Model ............................................................................................................................................................ 8
Measurables.................................................................................................................................................. 9
Transportation .......................................................................................................................................... 9
Land Use.................................................................................................................................................. 10
Energy ..................................................................................................................................................... 12
Water ...................................................................................................................................................... 15
Air Quality ............................................................................................................................................... 16
Waste ...................................................................................................................................................... 17
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 Page |2
City of Dallas Sustainability Action Plan and Index
The city of Dallas, rich in history and ever evolving, has seen its share of booms and busts since its days
as southern Great Plains wilderness, inhabited by the indigenous Caddo nation, through centuries of
colonization, settlement, war, annexation and peaceful prosperity.
Moving forward in its own environmental renaissance that began in the 1950s and continues today, the
City of Dallas puts forth this Sustainability Action Plan and Index to help guide its decisions and plans for
the coming decade. It is our intent to leave to our posterity the very resources which have made this
area so treasured by the millions of residents who call Dallas home. The City of Dallas, therefore,
through adoption of this plan, acknowledges and adopts the Brundtland Commission’s definition of
Sustainability: development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs.
Multiple considerations must be address to ensure the success of this Plan. It is not enough to simply
decree the “we shall” elements of our future goals in the hopes of building a sustainable future.
Instead, we must address the current circumstances and offer alternative methods for deeply engrained
behaviors. It is our belief that through these alternatives, we will ensure a fair marketplace for all
without needless burden on the citizens while protecting our natural resources and environment. These
elements, economics, social equity, and environmental stewardship, are the very fundamentals we must
strive to protect if we are to be truly sustainable.
Throughout this document, we will address current trends while incorporating dynamic flexibility to
allow for the incorporation of future technologies and challenges yet unrealized. We will put forth
alternatives to the elements we can see to change our behavior and guide us toward a more sustainable
growth. We will introduce measurable goals which we feel will best perpetuate these changes over the
coming years and decades. And we will highlight those areas which we feel need constant attention to
ensure we do not impede upon the needs of all interests in our city. The elements which we will
address are Transportation, Land Use, Energy, Water, Air Quality and Waste.
Finally, by recognizing this document is a means and not an end, we shall revisit the measurable we put
forth in this document no fewer than at the start of each new decade going forward. Goals which have
been met can be expanded or renewed. Goals which have not been met can be re-evaluated and the
issue they aim to address re-assessed to ensure the solution matches the problem. And most
importantly, new challenges can be addressed to ensure we continue our efforts and maintain our
perspective.
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City of Dallas Sustainability Action Plan and Index
We seek to incorporate a stewardship as an approach toward meeting our obligations. Not only do we
mean stewardship toward environmental concerns, but stewardship toward one another and
stewardship to our community. We will continue to address the unintended consequences knowing full
well that despite our best attempts to implement the ideas which will help us that there are always
consequences which we may not have anticipated. We will encourage strong performance from all
involved. Personal responsibility and cultural standards play a large part in our success. We also cannot
accept bias or prejudice, leveled externally or from within, to displace effort or responsibility. We must
recognize those who excel in their efforts and recognize them for their contribution, sacrifice and
innovation. And, we must be sure to check our progress along this journey if we are to be successful.
Without real measurement and honest evaluation to further an open dialogue, we are wed to failure
and the effort becomes useless.
This endeavor should not be viewed as a political choice; rather, a moral choice. It should not be
considered an effort to assuage one group at the expense of another; rather, an attempt to build a
stronger community through respect and cooperation. This work is the manifest of countless individuals
with various backgrounds and priorities, taking from each their individual perspectives and beliefs, to
consider the needs of everyone in our city, in our region and in our lives.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 Page |4
City of Dallas Sustainability Action Plan and Index
Elements
Transportation
The north Texas region has experienced its greatest growth within the past 60 years. During this period
of time, the automobile was king and was the primary source of transportation for goods and services in
and around Dallas. As new communities were being built, new roads were constructed to move our
new neighbors back and forth from their destinations. As new jobs came, highways were constructed to
handle the increased traffic. Today, our roads are at their capacity and rights-of-way are full. The
growth of our transportation system is also the reason we are now combating the urban-sprawl
phenomenon and air quality issues.
From the City’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, found on GreenDallas.net, it was observed that
the bulk of our air quality troubles come from automobile emissions associated with the great distances
commuters must travel coupled with the sheer volume of vehicles on the road. In our region, our
climate favors the formation of ground-level ozone from a combination of the NOx emitted from
combustion of fossil fuels and VOCs from carbon-based life when combined in the presence of sunlight.
Given weather patterns also contribute to the immobility of the ozone once formed due to inversions
from upper-level highs.
It would be impractical to simply forbid automobile traffic in and around the region to help reduce this
phenomenon. It was also be impractical to require everyone to move to within walking distance of
employment centers. Instead, we suggest the following measures to help transition our region away
from its dependence upon the automobile for transportation and to remove the stigma associated with
mass-transit.
Land Use
Historically, municipalities have tied their land use to other infrastructure needs, such as transportation
and utility rights-of-way, as their cities grew and new communities arose in what may have once been
farm or forest. In the interests of attracting business to their communities to contribute to their job-
base and financial profile, city leaders have to balance the needs of the citizens against the interests of
industry.
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City of Dallas Sustainability Action Plan and Index
The City of Dallas acknowledges its own lack of foresight in some decisions made in the past and is now
working to rectify past injustices and ensure the same mistakes are not repeated. As part of building
sustainably, we will incorporate safeguards which will seek to provide the checks and balances
necessary to promote social equity and access while encouraging development and economic stability.
This Plan will address a broad range of land uses, including but not limited to the Trinity River Corridor
Project, the Great Trinity Forest, park space, trails and biking, trees and landscape, redevelopment,
historic preservation, brownfields, municipal setting designations, community gardening, zoning,
planned development, transit oriented design, transportation alternatives and density.
Energy
Dallas has long been associated with energy—having once been an oil-boom town—and now stands
ready to explore and embrace new technologies to increase our independence from carbon-based fuel
options. But power generation is only one component of freeing ourselves from the shackles of
fluctuating costs and resource competition; we must also couple our efforts with conservation measures
to ensure what we are using is being used wisely.
As anyone living in north Texas can attest, Dallas is blessed with an abundance of sunlight. The
exploration and incorporation of solar energy production into the infrastructure and eventually all
buildings in Dallas, is logical and progressive. Additionally, while our region does not fall into the ideal
wind-generating zone, Texas remains firmly in Forbes’ Top Five of America’s Best Places For Wind Power
Alternative Energy1. Large scale applications may currently be unattainable, but small scale, individual
unit applications are being realized and placed in the city.
With the sheer amount of energy which could potentially generated through solar production, the
community stands to benefit greatly over the coming years. Coupled with the proper expansion of
alternative transportation systems, the citizens of Dallas and the region could easily reduce their carbon
footprint, and environmental impact, significantly while providing access to all services for all citizens.
Water
Water has long been a concern for the region after history making droughts in the mid-twentieth
century. City and regional leaders at that time vowed to never allow themselves to worry about being
1
Green Power America's Best Places For Alternative Energy http://www.forbes.com/2008/07/09/energy-solar-green-biz-energy-cx_bp_0709atlas.html
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 Page |6
City of Dallas Sustainability Action Plan and Index
able to secure clean drinking water. They failed, however, to ensure we properly maintained our
surface waters.
We have the technology to clean water to a pristine condition; however, we may not always have the
resources. As part of this sustainability plan, we will incorporate the measures and tools necessary to
demonstrate and educate on the need to protect our creeks, streams, rivers and lakes, the sources of
our publicly owned drinking water, all while protecting the groundwater below us from contamination.
Our MSD, municipal settings designations, allow us to restrict the use of groundwater under certain
parcels of land in the city which have suffered contamination either through deliberate or accidental
actions. This helps ease the burden on developers interested in gentrifying long-neglected areas or
historically contaminated areas which can help bring new jobs, new residents and new opportunities to
an area while restoring the surface quality. While this process is beneficial, it is also lengthy and
expensive. By putting into place measures which will take a proactive step at protecting the
environment, we can ensure there will be minimal or no need to later restrict groundwater (well water)
usage in certain areas around the city. There will be more land readily available for redevelopment and
progress can continue.
And finally storm water issues must be addressed. While we do have an abundance of sunlight in our
region, Dallas is also prone to flash-flooding from heavy rains running off hard clay soils. By protecting
our storm water system from debris and contamination, we can focus our attention on expanding our
levee system and working on the development of the Trinity River Corridor Project. This is a prime
example of how neglecting the environment can cost us more than we realize when the delays
associated with flood repair set us back in our timelines on larger projects.
Air Quality
Air quality will continue to gain attention as the debate over climate change and our behavioral impacts
to our atmosphere become more realized. Air quality standards will become more stringent and entire
regions could face financial sanctions from governing authorities if steps are not taken to help control
the production of pollution from all sources.
In Dallas, the number one source of greenhouse gas emissions is vehicular traffic. As discussed in
Transportation, it would be impractical, under current conditions, to impose limits on who could use a
vehicle. Instead, we must work to offer more options for commuters. Some of these options will be
addressed through Land Use, some through Transportation, and others in this section.
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City of Dallas Sustainability Action Plan and Index
Another source of pollution is from the combustion of fossil-fuels for energy. In this instance, we will
address many of these concerns by the introduction of alternatives in Energy. However, we should not
forget that there may come a time when we find ourselves facing sanctions for our lack of air quality so
we will make suggestions here as well.
Construction equipment is another source of pollution. As we work to grow and gentrify our
communities back to prosperity, we will undoubtedly be using heavy equipment to do our work more
efficiently and effectively. Stricter standards on equipment fuel choices as well as inspections and
emission allowances will be suggested in this area to help minimize the effects of these activities,
thereby allowing continued progress while protecting the people living alongside construction areas.
Waste
Waste is natural. Therefore, it makes it difficult to overcome the natural tendency to discard. This fact
needs to be recognized and proactive measures put in place to help facilitate the proper disposal of our
wastes, regardless of their nature. On the opposite end of the spectrum, we can work to reduce the
amount of materials we use which will need disposal. This two-facet approach will help reduce our
footprint all around.
Comprehensive plans to work with existing waste streams while providing the flexibility to incorporate
future forms of waste will determine the success of such efforts. Traditional methods of disposal must
be re-evaluated and alternatives to the elements of their management which pose the greatest threats
suggested.
Model
The solutions we put forth in this document will not be singular or finite. Instead, we will continually
monitor our efforts and provide feedback to all interested parties while suggesting new solutions and
removing outdated ideas.
This approach will evolve over time but all along there will be measures of current conditions, a goal,
and measurable steps along the way by which we will gauge our progress. It is important to recognize
that no one goal will be the end of our effort as we cannot predict the future and what conditions may
present themselves as we work toward our goals; however, this uncertainty should not prevent us from
trying. Nor should we allow this model to degrade due to fear or shortsightedness; the protection of our
natural resources has no hidden agenda or ulterior motives—it is simply an effort to place into
equilibrium the needs of our citizens by ensuring they have a clean and healthy environment in which to
live and build their families and good jobs with fair wages and benefits.
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City of Dallas Sustainability Action Plan and Index
Measurables
Transportation
Reduce travel times for City Optimize 100% of traffic signals Number of lights synchronized.
vehicles and commuters. throughout city by 2015. This is a Average travel time.
great idea.
Increase carpooling by working Percent reduction in single-
with community partners to occupant trips.
reduce single-occupant vehicle Increase in carpool traffic on
trips by 1% annually over 2010 HOV lanes over 2010 levels.
baseline.
Work with NTTA to implement Revenue generation for street
$.05 zip-toll congestion tax for repairs.
single-occupant vehicles Reduced single-occupant trips.
entering the CBD during
weekdays by 2012. Carpool
vehicles would have monitored
alternative access lanes to avoid
fee.
Offer vacation time for
employee carpoolers to City
facilities. I think you are on to
something good here, I think it is
better to offer incentives rather
than punishments.
Increase mass-transit ridership. Increase/implement a per-car Revenue generation.
fee for each privately rented Decreased congestion on
parking space in the CBD to highways through increased
encourage mass-transit. ridership.
Work with DART and TRE to
increase routes for light-rail and
commuter rail lines. I feel this Is
the most important item on your
list. A good efficient light-rail
system would go a long way to
solving the City’s air emission
problems. Light rail will be soon
completed in Framers Branch so
Iook forward to trying it out.
Now, I would have to ride the
express bus and that takes 3
times as long to get to work as it
would if I drove. I hope the rail
system is more efficient. Also,
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 Page |9
City of Dallas Sustainability Action Plan and Index
how good is a rail system that
doesn’t go to the airport.
Build photo-voltaic grid to
support electric streetcar
system. Base need on size of
system.
Expand bicycle commuting Identify partners who can offer
capabilities in the city. secure shower/changing facilities
by 2012. I really like this.
Install bicycle and equipment Number of bicycle parking
securing racks at transport spaces.
centers including DART bus and
light-rail stations and TRE
stations. Good.
Develop a program to offer Revenue generation.
commuters access to City Hall Number of non-City Hall visitors
shower/changing facilities at a to shower facilities.
minimal monthly cost by 2012.
Good
Deliver a designated bike-route Miles of designated bike lane.
marking system by 2011. Good
Land Use
Advance smart-growth in Dallas. Define “smart-growth” Designation of practices which
standards for Dallas and create a qualify as “smart-growth” and
“sustainability index” by 2011. meet “sustainability index”
standards.
Expand Green Building Number of green buildings in
Ordinance to cover remodels Dallas.
and rebuilds as well as build-outs Number of energy efficient
in existing commercial builds by upgrades.
2014.
Remove TIFs which promote Retention of revenue.
practices contrary to smart- Number of smart-growth
growth by 2015. projects in the city.
Smart-contracting with City Number of renegotiated
vendors, including State Fair of contracts with vendors.
Texas, to operate City facilities
within the standards of the
“sustainability index”.
Establish/strengthen guidelines Number of vehicles removed
for Form-Based Zoning to from streets.
include “complete street” Number of “complete streets” in
components which require the city.
increased pedestrian or other
manual transportation methods
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City of Dallas Sustainability Action Plan and Index
by 2014.
Expand Park plans to locate one Number of acres of green space
half-acre of green space within 2 in the city.
walking miles of all residents.
Begin implementing to complete
by 2020. I like this as well,
although I think you should
make it 1 mile. Also, I think the
City should more aggressively
purchase property to convert ito
parks or green space.
Conjoin forwardDALLAS! to
sustainability plan by 2011.
Increase amount of green-space Change Zoning Ordinance to
in city. allow for City seized properties
to be converted into green-space
or community space by 2012.
Good
Change Building Code to allow
for roof-top gardens with
appropriate structural
engineering in all Districts by
2011.
Adopt policy and conditions to
allow community gardens on
private property in all zoning
districts by 2010.
Adopt policy and conditions to
allow community gardens on
public property in all zoning
districts by 2010.
Combat Urban Heat Island Increase tree inventory in Dallas Number of trees in Dallas.
phenomenon. 25% by 2030.
Require all replacement or Number of reflective rooftops in
resurface horizontal (no-slope) Dallas.
roofing surfaces in city limits to Decrease in ambient non-
be white (albedo >.60) or daytime temperatures in Dallas.
vegetative beginning in 2011 at
Phase II of Green Building
Ordinance.
Require installation of light- Decrease in ambient non-
colored (albedo >.50) non- daytime temperatures over lots.
reflective opaque shading over
resurfaced parking lots with an
albedo <.50 beginning in 2011 at
Phase II of Green Building
Ordinance.
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City of Dallas Sustainability Action Plan and Index
Promote “cool-lot” design with
reduced hard-deck
parking/increased grass-crete by
2012.
Promote “cool-street” design by
minimizing lane width,
installation of grassy borders,
shading and reflective surfaces
by 2012. Expand design
flexibility in Code and Zoning.
Advance legislative agenda. Work with area partners and
NCTCOG to amend Texas
Constitution to allow for
designation of NCTCOG region as
a voting body to promote
regional sustainability by
allowing a majority of north
Texans to decide which
initiatives will be implemented
across the region.
Work with Texas Legislature to
allow for greater regional
control, through newly
designated quasi-governmental
group, on environmental issues.
Energy
Action Goal Measure
Reduce City’s fossil-fuel Catalog inefficient equipment Number of potential upgrades
electricity load by 5% annually. throughout all City facilities by based on inefficiencies
2014. cataloged.
Prioritize upgrades and begin Number of upgrades completed
working to improve efficiency by annually.
2012.
Increase number of solar and/or Amount of kWh/year from solar
wind capabilities at City facilities and/or wind sources.
by 3 programs per year.
Purchase 50% of City’s power Number of kWh/year from
usage from renewable energy renewable energy sources over
sources by 2015. total amount purchased.
Study feasibility of aqua-voltaic
energy generation at WWTP
outfalls by 2011.
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City of Dallas Sustainability Action Plan and Index
Replace all street-lights to LED Change all streetlights controlled Number of “cobraheads”
by City of Dallas with LED replaced per year.
“cobraheads” by 2015
Change contract with ONCOR to Changed contract.
allow for upgrades and
renegotiate managing
agreement at next contract
Change remaining XXX,XXX Number of “cobraheads”
streetlights controlled by ONCOR replaced per year.
with LED “cobraheads” by 2020
Reduce amount of petroleum Catalog lawn-care equipment by Number of gasoline powered
based products used by City category (mowers, blowers, pieces of equipment.
operations. weeders, tillers, edgers) and
then by age in operation at all
City facilities by 2011.
Replace all identified pieces of Number of new pieces of
equipment older than 5 years of equipment.
age with natural gas or electricity
powered alternatives by 2014.
Catalog City vehicles to Number of vehicles running on
determine which vehicles could alternative fuels.
be replaced with alternative fuel
vehicles and replace 3+ vehicles
per year until complete.
Become carbon “neutral” by Benchmark 2010 energy kWh/year by facility.
2030. consumption levels across all
City facilities.
Increase to 100% the amount of kWh/year from renewable
renewable-source generated energy sources.
energy for any energy purchased
between 2015 and 2030.
Install photo-voltaic technologies Number of PV units per City
on City facilities to decrease facility.
energy consumption by 30% kWh/year generated by PV.
over 2010 levels by 2030. kWh/year at 2010 baseline.
Inventory of City lands to Number of sites which match
determine which sites could aero-voltaic success profile.
support aero-voltaic Number of kWh which could be
technologies. generated by those sites.
Installation of aero-voltaic Number of kWh/year generated.
technologies at designated
“success” sites.
Form a task force to catalog
geothermal potential sites in the
City of Dallas by 2013.
Explore feasibility of sequestered
thermal energy from existing
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 P a g e | 13
City of Dallas Sustainability Action Plan and Index
processes as a means to control
climate in City facilities (heat
banking or cold banking) by
2016.
Increase energy generation
capability at City wastewater
treatment plants to 20% of 2010
Citywide energy consumption
levels.
Require all billboards within the Reduction in kWh generated to
city of Dallas be self-contained to power non-essential lighting.
produce the electricity needed
to operate through non-fossil
fuel means beginning in 2013.
Volunteers prior to mandatory
date will receive financial
incentives from City.
Require all new night lighting to
be LED or equivalent luminosity
to energy consumption ratio and
on separate circuit from
architectural or feature lighting
beginning in 2011 at Phase II of
Green Building Ordinance.
Require all architectural lighting
cut off by 11:00 PM starting in
2011. Enable Building Inspection
to decide which lighting qualifies
as architectural and which
lighting qualifies as safety.
Existing wiring configuration or
economics of changing existing
systems shall not be a factor in
this determination.
Place occupancy sensors on all
City Hall internal lighting which
become operative after 6:00 PM.
Reset overrides and sensors in
office spaces to shut down
lighting after one hour of non-
occupancy. Reset sensors in
halls to shut down after fifteen
minutes of non-occupancy.
Work with partners to drive Campaign lawmakers to require
Legislative change. Historic Preservation allow for
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 P a g e | 14
City of Dallas Sustainability Action Plan and Index
photo-voltaic and aero-voltaic
energy production on designated
structures.
Pass laws which limit the ability
of home-owner associations to
disallow alternative sources of
energy production including but
not limited to photo-voltaic,
aero-voltaic, tidal or geothermal.
Water
Protect surface waters. Switch to 100% organic fertilizers Reduction in amount of
at all City facilities and train staff synthetic fertilizers applied.
in proper application rates by
2012.
Switch to 100% organic Reduction in amount of
pesticides at all City facilities and synthetic pesticides applied.
train staff in proper application
rates by 2012.
Install bulkheads in storm sewer Number of gallons diverted from
system which can be activated storm sewer system.
remotely or at site by DFR during
emergency calls (to divert to
adjacent zones which can also be
closed or) to retain all hazardous
chemicals released during
response.
Strengthen iSWM protocols to Number of gallons diverted from
increase on-site retention and storm sewer system.
mediation by 2015. Good. More
iSWM is good.
Conserve water. Include “purple pipe” gray-water Number of gallons of water
harvesting and reuse systems in saved.
City facility design beginning in
2011.
Implement a volume based Number of gallons of water
pricing on water provided by saved through pricing controls.
DWU to all customers by 2011.
Require watering restrictions Number of gallons saved
parallel to the City of Dallas for through restrictions.
all customers on DWU system by
2012.
Increase/implement fines for Revenue generation.
watering during restricted times, Number of gallons saved
during precipitation events, or through punitive measures.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 P a g e | 15
City of Dallas Sustainability Action Plan and Index
when the temperature is 32° or
below by 2011.
Make contribution to hazardous Number of lawsuits filed.
conditions based on improper
watering practices a
prosecutable crime by 2011.
Require drip irrigation for all new
landscape/verticulture in the city
by 2013.
Require low-mist/low-scatter
irrigation for all new lawn
irrigation systems in the city by
2013.
Mediate permeable surface run- Change Code to allow for more Number of gallons diverted from
off. variation in parking lot design by storm sewer system.
2013.
Lower medians and insert curb- Number of gallons diverted from
cuts to allow water to run from storm sewer system.
roadways into planter strips and
then raised drain inlets
beginning in 2012.
Air Quality
Reduce City vehicle emissions. Expand and enforce non-idling
policy for all City vehicles
beginning in 2010.
Prohibit single-occupant vehicle
trips prior to 10:00 AM starting
in 2010.
Reduce community vehicle Require drive-thru retailers with Number of vehicles idling in
emissions. more than 20 parking spaces to drive-thru.
shut down drive-thru on “Ozone
Yellow” or higher days by 2011.
Require any new construction
with drive-thru service offset
vehicle emissions by 2012.
Meter on-ramps to avoid
congestion during high-traffic
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City of Dallas Sustainability Action Plan and Index
periods beginning in 2012.
Work with DART to provide
incentives to increase ridership,
including reduced fares, free-
fare days and fare-
reimbursements, during ozone
season.
Work with NTTA to implement a
congestion fee on toll roads to
be used to pay for incentive
programs.
Work with NTTA to provide
discounts for multi-occupant
vehicle trips on toll roads.
Align signals in CBD to allow for
minimal idling at DART crossings.
Place Green-Ride calculator Reduced vehicle miles driven by
function on Green Dallas by community.
2010.
Reduce amount of ozone Prohibit gasoline sales before Number of pounds of VOC
contributors released. 10:00 AM on day after “Ozone released from gasoline pumping.
Red” by 2012.
Ban the sale or use of any fuels
which contribute to NOx
emissions in Dallas by 2012.
Require ultra-low sulfur diesel be Reduction in NOx emissions.
used in any City vehicles or
contractor vehicles by 2010.
Require ultra-low sulfur diesel be Reduction in NOx emissions.
used in any construction
equipment in the city by 2011.
Waste
Pass a “green purchasing policy”. Define “environmentally
friendly” products considering
recycled content, disposal
methods, manufacture process
and impacts, and hazards to
health and environment and
create a rating system by 2010.
Include “green” in MWBE
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 P a g e | 17
City of Dallas Sustainability Action Plan and Index
contracting by 2011.
Catalog all products purchased
by City of Dallas and contractors
for City of Dallas by 2013.
As cataloging proceeds, rate the
environmental impact of each
item based on definition of
“environmentally friendly”.
Remove items which do not
meet qualification as
“environmentally friendly”
within one year of identification.
Work with Purchasing to pass a Reduced costs for disposal of
strong “green purchasing environmentally unfriendly
policy”, or issue an products.
Administrative Directive for EMS Drive market to increase
Departments, to meet a certain environmentally friendly product
criteria for products in those content at lowered costs to help
Departments by 2011. consumers obtain cleaner
product to help reduce waste.
Work with Texas Product
Stewardship Council. Sign on to
Letter of Agreement through
Resolution declaring support for
environmentally friendly
products and services and their
usage in the city of Dallas by
2010.
Increase recycling. Pass a Construction and Debris
recycling Ordinance by 2011
making it mandatory for
recycling of C&D materials for
projects. Begin with all projects
that require a permit.
Increase tipping fees at Landfill.
Pass a Recycling Ordinance by
2011 requiring commercial
recycling and landlords to offer
recycling options.
Train and deputize waste
collectors to issue citations for
violations of Recycling Ordinance
by 2013.
Replace existing trash
receptacles with combined trash
and recycling containers
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City of Dallas Sustainability Action Plan and Index
beginning in 2010.
Place solar powered recycling
compactors (“Big Belly”)
throughout the central business
district beginning in 2010.
Increase composting. Designate area at collection
centers at Recreation Centers as
composting areas by 2010.
Train staff in proper composting
technique by 2010.
Allow for .1 FTE for maintenance
of compost piles beginning in
2011 budget.
Offer excess compost not used
at facility as part of educational
component to citizens beginning
in 2012.
Advance legislative initiatives. Form coalition among north
Texas communities to push for
Legislative change to require
environmentally friendly
products be a percentage of
sales in the State of Texas by
2015.
Reduce sources of pollution. Pass a per-bag fee of 5₵ within Revenue generation.
the city limits. Fee will be Dollars generated.
dedicated to environmental
programs and services aimed at
reducing pollution by 2010.
Pass a per-bottle deposit of 5₵ Revenue generation.
within the city limits. Forfeited Dollars generated.
deposits will be dedicated to
homeless assistance programs.
Pass Administrative Directive Reduction in paper consumption
requiring all default printer and associated increase in
settings be set to two-sided revenue savings.
printing by 2010. Sheets of paper used per year.
Insert contractual obligation for Reduced contract costs for waste
all City vendors to comply with disposal.
City waste reduction policies by Pounds of waste generated.
2011.
Require all City vendors Number of vendors with EMS.
implement a certified
Environmental Management
System by 2011.
Include “environmental
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City of Dallas Sustainability Action Plan and Index
stewardship” as part of staff
review criteria by 2011.
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