January 2018 Sustainability News

January 2018 News January 31, 2018 – Affordable Tech Marvels Dominate Greenest Vehicles List January 31, 2018 – AT&T and Verizon Pressured to Match T-Mobile’s 100% Renewable Energy Pledge January 31, 2018 – Why bike share makes sense as a library resource January 31, 2018 – White House to ask for 72 percent cut in renewable energy programs: report …

Living Sustainably: Energy prize competition results in change for Holland

By Anne Saliers, Holland Board of Public Works The people of Holland reduced energy consumption by 3.2 percent, to place No. 16 out of 50 cities in the Georgetown University Energy Prize competition. The reduction is relative to our 2013-2014 baseline and represents roughly $500,000 reinvested in the community rather than spent on utility bills. …

Living Sustainably: New ODC attraction helps power the place

By Dan Callam, Outdoor Discovery Center Macatawa Greenway New, strange looking creatures began appearing behind the Visitors Center at the Outdoor Discovery Center this past fall. You might be forgiven for thinking them reptilian, with their dark, scaly exteriors sunning themselves on the edge of the pond where turtles can be found resting on logs. But instead of …

Living Sustainably: Group launches spring sustainability series

By Michelle Gibbs, Holland-Hope College Sustainability Institute Do you want to learn more about what is happening in the community?  The spring 2018 Living Sustainably Along the Lakeshore series has announced another great line-up, full of educational events sharing how Holland is becoming a more sustainable community. The series will continue to share information about work as it …

December 2017 Sustainability News

December 2017 News December 31, 2017 – Living Sustainably: Understanding funding for a stronger community December 31, 2017 – Add Shoe Year’s hikes to your resolutions December 30, 2017 – Obama’s ‘pollution-free society’ is needed to combat climate change December 30, 2017 – Projects to look out for from Ottawa County Parks and Rec. in 2018 December 29, 2017 …

Living Sustainably: Solar system is a first for city retrofit project

By Peter Boogaart, City of Holland Roy and Mary Cole have a long-standing interest in energy efficiency. “We’ve always done what we could to help the environment,” Roy said. So, when they moved into their new home on 26th Street, they set about making it the best it could be. The most obvious change is to the landscaping. …

Holland Board of Public Works 2017 Annual Report

“In this 2017 Year in Review, we’ve explored the idea that Holland is a community like no other, and part of what makes us unique is the quality and innovation delivered through our utility services.” – Dave Koster, HBPW General Manager. Read this full letter in this year’s annual report. http://annualreports.hollandbpw.com/annualreport2017/

November 2017 Sustainability News

November 2017 Sustainability News November 30, 2017 – Betsy DeVos approves Michigan’s federal school accountability plan November 30, 2017 – Plan for Parkside Marina redevelopment presented in full, faces opposition November 30, 2017 – Holland e-commerce business busy this Cyber Monday November 29, 2017 – Jeff Goodell’s ‘engaging, often terrifying’ book November 29, 2017 – 4 great gifts for your green-living …

Living Sustainably: ‘Energy literacy’ is key for Holland’s future

By Peter Boogaart, City of Holland The City of Holland has put down a marker. It’s well out there into the future – 40 years in the future. Our intention is to become a world-class, energy efficient city. That’s an exciting, big goal, and it should fire your imagination. But, it’s equally important to see that the goal …

Living Sustainably: Heat hints and free LED lights make holidays greener

By Deena Roberson, Holland Board of Public Works With the holiday season upon us, the cool weather and impending snowfall will drive up our energy bills. The largest energy expense in the winter comes from the furnace and the energy needed to heat your home. Check out the tips below to see how you can combat the winter …