The Town of Springdale is committed to making changes that will positively affect not only Washington County, but the planet as well. Some of these changes are small in nature, changing light bulbs from incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs. Other changes are quite substantial such as making changes to city operations and purchasing alternative energy.
Some of the things Springdale is doing, that you may not be aware of, include:
We are currently working with the Washington County Solid Waste District to promote the county-wide recycling program. Recycling binnies are in town and ready for use. Please see the District's recycling page for information on the program.
The Town is also a member of the Southern Utah Recycling Chapter of the Recycling Coalition of Utah. Please see our recycling page for more information.
We have signed up to be a collection point for rechargeable batteries and used cell phones. These items are boxed and shipped to the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation.
The Town sponsors annual Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebrations. We also have held a Sun Festival in the Fall. Please watch the website for more information about the celebrations.
The Town Council passed a Resolution of Support for the Kyoto Protocol and the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.
We are working with the Green Team from Zion National Park and Xanterra, the Park concessions operator, to develop more options for recycling and composting in Springdale. Please see the latest GreeNotes from the Park for information on how we can all help the environment.
During 2008 we received a grant from Rocky Mountain Power's Blue Sky Program to fund two solar power arrays in the Town. One is installed at the Town Park next to the ball field. The other is at the sewer lagoons. Both arrays are on-line and operational putting solar energy into the grid and offsetting Town utility costs. construction. A display that shows the amount of power being produced at the sewer lagoons has been installed at the Canyon Community Center.
Please click on the links below to access the solar energy data for the Town's arrays:
Wastewater Treatment Array (sewer lagoons) (31.26 kW array)
Culinary Water Booster Pump Array (22.05 kW array)
The Town currently purchases 20 percent of the power used in Town operations from renewable sources through the Rocky Mountain Power Blue Sky program. With this commitment to purchase renewable energy, the Town has been recognized as an EPA Green Power Partner.
In March 2008 (Town Newsletter, page 2), the Mayor challenged the community to support the development of renewable energy sources and work towards a goal of 15 percent of ALL power used in Springdale coming through the Blue Sky program.
In response to the challenge, participation in the Blue Sky Energy program doubled and the Town has been recognized as an EPA Green Power community. More than 3 percent of the TOTAL energy used in the community now comes from renewable sources.
As we continue to move forward with in-town solar projects, residents who install household solar, and more Blue Sky Energy customers, we will continue to improve the environment for future generations.
Earth Turtle artwork courtesy of Eva Pelton
