Welcome to the June 2008 Edition of the City of Fort Wayne’s Green City email newsletter.

Upcoming events:

Downtown Free Citiloop Returns – June 2^nd thru August 15^th

For more information, visit:

http://www.fwcitilink.com/news.htm

Mayor Henry will be presenting on what the City has done to be green and what we need to do in the future at the Northeast Indiana Green Build Coalition Meeting – Thursday, June 5^th at 7:30am in City Council Chambers at the City/County Building.

For more information, visit:

http://www.neigbc.org

Citilink Requests Comments on Proposed Rate Change – various dates, locations in June.

For more information, visit:

http://www.fwcitilink.com/news.htm

Dump The Pump Day – Support public transportation, save money, conserve gasoline, and help reduce green house gases – Thursday, June 19^th

For more information, visit:
http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/energy

Green Expo at Glenbrook Mall – Fri & Sat, June 20^th-21^st

Fore more information, visit:

http://www.glenbrooksquare.com/html/EventDetail.asp?ecd=141003

Little River Wetlands will have a tour of Eagle Marsh Woods – Saturday, June 21^st

For more information, visit:

http://www.lrwp.org/

Need To Go Green Conference – Saturday, June 21^st at Indiana Tech

For more information, visit:

http://www.grassrootsgreen.us/

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This edition of the Green City email newsletter contains:

*Green Tip of the Month

*Open Burning Press Release

*Green Energy Expo Recap

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*Green Tip of the Month

I’m sure none of you out there are concerned about the high gas prices recently ;-) but just in case you know someone who is, here is the best gas saving tip ever:

The easiest and most effective way is to slow down (just a little bit). When you add up the savings, it's like getting paid to relax.

The Union of Concerned Scientists reports that dropping from 70 to 60 mph improves fuel efficiency by an average of 17.2 percent. Dropping from 75 to 55 improves fuel efficiency by 30.6 percent!

Put another way, in a family sedan, every 10 mph you drive over 60 is like paying 54 cents per gallon more for gas you bought at $3.25 a gallon. That extra cost is even higher for big SUVs and other less-efficient vehicles.

And the time you save by going easy on the accelerator may not add up to as much time lost as you thought. On a 300-mile trip, driving 65 instead of 70 mph would cost you only 20 minutes -- but save money and spew less carbon.

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*Open Burning Press Release

With the warmer weather, many people work in their yards preparing them for the spring. For those considering burning leaves, twigs or trash that have accumulated on their lawns, the Fort Wayne Fire Department (FWFD) reminds everyone to avoid open burning as a general rule.

FWFD Fire Marshal Jim Murua says, “No one is to kindle or maintain open burning consisting of a trash fire, leaf fire, refuse fire, or other open burning according to Fort Wayne City Code.”

He explains that there are two exemptions allowed under certain conditions.

1. Bonfires celebrating school pep rallies are one exemption which requires obtaining a Burn Permit from FWFD at least 24 hours in advance of the permitted open burning. Call 427-1102 for more information or with questions.

2. Recreational camp fires for scouting or family cookout activities are allowed without a Burn Permit and are subject to the conditions listed below:

*A garden hose connected to a water supply, buckets, shovel, fire extinguisher or other approved fire-extinguishing equipment shall be readily available at the burn site.

*Only clean wood products shall be burned – no leaves, paper or trash.

*A fire shall be attended by a responsible party at all times until completely extinguished.

*If the open burning creates a smoke nuisance, or a hazardous condition exists, the open burning shall be immediately extinguished.

*A fire shall be located at least 25 feet away from any structure, fence or right of way.

*A fire shall not exceed an area three feet wide by two feet high.

Anyone who recklessly, knowingly or intentionally kindles, or maintains any open burning consisting of a trash fire, leaf fire, bonfire, refuse fire, or other open burning that damages property of another person or spreads to property of another person may be liable for criminal mischief.

Any person who maintains burning of combustible materials out of doors or open burning not permitted shall be in violation and may be fined $50. If the violator does not appear in response to a notice issued to them within a period of 30 calendar days from the date and time shown on the notice, the penalty shall be $75. Repeat violators will be fined.

Please take the extra time necessary to exercise safety at all times.

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*Green Energy Expo Recap

Gexpro Fort Wayne hosted a Green Energy Expo on Wednesday May 14th. The Expo kicked off with a lunch and a keynote address from Wendy Barrott, Director of Energy and Environmental Services for the City of Fort Wayne. Ms. Barrott stressed the importance of addressing energy issues from both the consumption side of the problem, and by using alternative energy generation that is cleaner than current production methods. She pointed out that U.S. and world demand is projected to rise over the next two decades, while the raw materials for energy production will peak and begin to decline. By 2010, Indiana, which relies heavily on coal for energy generation, will become a net importer of electricity. Currently, Indiana is one of the top ten users of energy per capita in the United States and near term demand could cost an additional $7B dollars, equivalent to the payroll of 70 large manufacturing plants. All of this points to a need to promote energy efficiency. Investment in energy efficient technology is half the cost of investment in new generation, can be executed more quickly, creates jobs and allows money to be reinvested locally.

“It is refreshing to find that GE’s current drive, automation and power factor correction technologies are as innovative as they are. I see ways to use GE to increase energy efficiency at my industrial customers.” Paul Cruz, Votaw Electic, Industrial Contractor.

“I had more solid contacts from your event than the electrical Expo in Indianapolis”-Jeff Sutton GE Lamp Representative

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Thank you very much for being a subscriber to our Green City email newsletter. We hope this has been helpful and informative to you.

We will contact you once per month with the email newsletter, as well as on Air Quality Action Days to alert you when air conditions indicate you need to take action.

If you would like to suggest topics or articles to include in monthly email newsletters, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please pass this email newsletter on to your friends and family, so that everyone can share in the knowledge and have an impact on reducing energy consumption.

Sincerely,

Nicholas Harter

Program Manager

Energy & Environmental Services

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