nyuuzyou/wikis huggingface dataset:
Dallas, TX Endorsing the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement

Type: Policy
Status: Announced on 5/23/06
Source File: http://www.greendallas.net/pdfs/climate_protection_agreement.pdf
Description:
Mayor Laura Miller has joined over 200 other mayors from around the
country in signing the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.
By signing the agreement, Mayor Miller has made a commitment to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions in Dallas to 7% below 1990 levels by 2012. These
reductions will be made through actions like increasing energy efficiency,
reducing vehicle miles traveled, maintaining healthy urban forests, and
promoting use of clean, renewable energy resources.
The Agreement also calls for Congress to pass legislation that sets meaningful
timelines and limits on emissions through a flexible, market-based system of
tradable allowances among emitting industries.
Mayor Miller said “Although global warming is typically seen as a federal issue,
there are many things that we can do and need to do at a local level to save our
environment.”
“The City can lower emissions from its fleet of vehicles; our Council can adopt
and enforce land-use policies that preserve open space, and create compact,
walkable urban communities; we can promote transportation options such as
bicycle trails or public transit, and make those options easier and more
convenient for our residents to use,” Miller continued.
“The City of Dallas has already taken many steps to make our environment a
priority. For instance, last December, the Council created the Urban Forest
Advisory Committee. Trees are a tremendous asset for a city for beauty, for the
environment, and for economic development. With Dallas boasting the largest
urban hardwood forest of any big city – 7,000 acres in the Great Trinity Forest –
the creation of this committee is also timely,” Miller added.
The Climate Protection Agreement was launched on February 16, 2005, the day
the Kyoto Protocol went into effect in 141 other countries.
Since that time, many cities throughout the nation, both large and small, are
reducing global warming pollutants. Many are adopting programs that provide
economic and quality of life benefits such as reduced energy bills, green space
preservation, air quality improvements, reduced traffic congestion, improved
transportation choices, and economic development and job creation through
energy conservation and new energy technologies.
View the entire resolution on the US Conference of Mayors website.
Category:City Governments
Category:Climate Policy
Category:Policies
Category:Texas
Dallas, TX Energy Efficiency Measures

Type: Policy
Status: Ongoing
Source File: http://www.greendallas.net/energy_efficiency.html
Description:
Saving energy saves money — it’s that simple. Less energy used means less energy needs to be produced, which in turn, improves air quality. The City of Dallas continues to look for creative ways to save energy at its facilities and on its energy-using equipment.
* City Council authorized the largest procurement of renewable energy in the City’s history; in 2008, 40 percent of the City’s power will come from renewable energy, primarily from wind power, making Dallas the No.1 municipal purchaser of green power in the nation.
* The State Energy Conservation Office and the Texas Energy Partnership gave the City an award for outstanding achievements in energy efficiency.
* The City has reduced its overall energy usage at its existing facilities by almost 5% per year over the past five years, through such means as the purchase of energy efficient lighting and lighting upgrades, and the installation of solar panels, high efficient heating and air conditioning systems and automated building controls.
* Nearly half of the street lights in Dallas are now lit by renewable “green power.”
* Regular incandescent traffic signals cost Dallas about $2.1 million annually in electricity costs. By converting to energy-efficient LED traffic lights at approximately 11,000 City intersections, the City is cutting annual energy consumption by 14.5 million kilowatt hours per year. Not only do the new lights save taxpayers’ money, but the LED signals are also easier to see, and thus make driving safer.
* Between 3 million and 4 million cubic feet of methane gas is captured every day at the City’s McCommas Bluff Landfill. The gas can be purified and used as an alternative fuel, or it can be traded to a local natural gas production company pays the City back in electricity. Over the next three to five years, the City plans to increase its capture of methane by as much as 300 percent. If this much methane is swapped for electricity, managers believe it can save the City between 30 and 50 percent of its current electricity purchases.
* Through Performance Management Contracting at City-owned buildings, the City of Dallas has conducted four comprehensive energy projects for its major buildings. For example, the contract for City Hall resulted in the replacement and upgrading of chillers, boilers, and lighting, and cooling towers; automated controls for HVAC and lighting and installations of solar panels. This project has resulted in a 5,790,165 kWh and 3,730.3 tons of CO2 reduction. The project for the art museum resulted in a savings of approximately $800,000 per year.
Category:City Governments
Category:Policies
Category:Renewable Energy
Category:Texas
Dane County, WI Better Urban Infill Development Program

Type: Program
Status: Launched in 1998
Source File: http://www.co.dane.wi.us/plandev/community/build/about.asp
Description:
About BUILD
Dane County Executive Kathleen M. Falk launched the BUILD program in 1998 to encourage infill development. The BUILD program is a component of her Design Dane! and Farms and Neighborhoods land use initiatives. These initiatives propose a set of policies and programs to both preserve important environmental and farmlands, and to promote strong healthy communities. Infill development is growth in already developed areas instead of on "Greenfield" sites.
The Dane County Board of Supervisors established a BUILD Advisory Committee that approved a set of BUILD objectives.
Today the BUILD program partners with Dane County communities to plan and implement infill development and great neighborhoods through planning grants, education, and code reform.
"Perhaps most innovative of all the aspects of the county's multifaceted approach to land protection is what might be called its "inside" game. Led by . . . County Executive Kathleen Falk . . . the county has aggressively worked to encourage redevelopment and growth within municipal borders. The idea is that by creating incentives for infill development and by removing unnecessary roadblocks to redevelopment, the county helps take pressure off for sprawling, greenfield development in rural areas. . . The county has a successful grants program to encourage planning and redevelopment within its municipalities." Nature-Friendly Communities: Habitat Protection and Land Use Planning, Christopher Duerksen and Cara Snyder, Island Press, 2005. (p. 178).
Definition of Infill
Infill development is the economic use of vacant land, or restoration or rehabilitation of existing structures or infrastructure, in already urbanized areas where water, sewer, and other public services are in place, that maintains the continuity of the original community fabric.
BUILD Objectives:
* make better use of existing infrastructure
* locate community services, jobs and shopping in close proximity
* stabilize and enhance existing neighborhoods, downtowns and other business districts
* produce housing and jobs for low to moderate-income people
* avoid converting productive farmland on urban fringes and in rural areas
* provide viable options to auto trips by supporting walking, biking, and transit
* have the potential to clean up environmentally contaminated sites
Category:County Governments
Category:Programs
Category:Smart Growth
Category:Wisconsin
Dartmouth College, NH Center for Women and Gender

Type: Program
Status: Established in 1988
Source File: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~cwg/about/index.html
Description:
Our Mission
Founded in 1988, the Center for Women and Gender celebrates women's achievements, explores the role gender plays in human experience, and supports individual and collective struggles related to gender. The CWG provides opportunities for reflection, engagement, and personal growth, with a particular emphasis on honoring women's voices and encouraging the full, active, and equal participation of women in the life of the College.
Central to our mission is the recognition that explorations of gender must take place in tandem with explorations of race and ethnicity, economic status, sexual orientation and other significant aspects of individual and cultural identity.
We strive to build a campus-wide community that respects differences and to support the College's diverse communities. We are committed to meeting the needs of the whole person and supporting the academic mission of the College. While our programs and services primarily address the needs of students, everyone at Dartmouth is welcome at the Center for Women and Gender.
The CWG is part of the Office of Pluralism and Leadership in the Student Life division of the Dean of the College area.
Category:Colleges
Category:New Hampshire
Category:Programs
Category:Women and Gender
Darwin, Australia Environmental Policy

Type: Policy
Status: Adopted on 9/28/04
Source File: http://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/aboutcouncil/city_planning/EMP_policy.htm
Description:
Policy Statement
Darwin City Council strives to enhance, preserve and promote the Darwin environment. We will work actively towards the protection of our lifestyle, support sustainable growth and develop policies and implement programs that preserve and enhance our environment and quality of life.
Environment Policy
Our Environmental Management Commitment
Darwin City Council's environmental management commitment is expressed through its Sustainability Framework, which was adopted by Council on 11th May 2004
The framework seeks to enhance the environmental values of Darwin through the development and implementation of a community focussed Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and organisationally focussed Environmental Management System (EMS).
To achieve our environmental commitment we will:
* Identify, implement and promote appropriate best practice environmental management systems, plans and actions wherever feasible;
* Seek to maintain biodiversity, land and water quality to the best of our ability and within the constraints of our area of responsibility and influence;
* Be committed to operating in an ecologically sustainable manner;
* Work closely with our employees, contractors, stakeholders, regulators and the community of Darwin to develop and implement agreed environmental initiatives;
* Annually review this policy, environmental management plans and monitoring program to assess our environmental performance;
* Communicate our environmental performance and significant environmental issues to the community, and implement a process of continuous improvement;
* Comply with relevant Commonwealth and Northern Territory Environmental Legislation.
Category:Councils
Category:Northern Territory
Category:Policies
Category:Sustainability Policies
Davenport, IA Curbside Recycling Program

Type: Program
Status: Ongoing
Source File: http://www.cityofdavenportiowa.com/egov/apps/services/index.egov?path=details&action=i&id=91
Description:
The City of Davenport has a mandatory curbside recycling program for all single-family dwellings, duplexes, and three-plex building units. On your normal refuse collection day, a special recycling truck will drive by your home to pick up "recyclable materials" which include newspapers, corrugated cardboard, magazines, phone books, plastic bottles, glass jars, tin cans, and aluminum. You are asked to place these items in a special bin that is provided by the City. Please set this bin by your garbage container.
The charge for recycling services is included on the City's sewer bill. For those individuals having septic systems, a bill for recycling services will be mailed on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 of the calendar year. These billings are collected in the same manner as sewer bill invoices.
You may qualify for an exemption from the recycling fee if you meet all the following conditions:
:1. The "Head of Household" is 65 years of age or older or is unable to work because of a disability for which he or she is receiving Social Security disability.
:2. The total annual "Household Income" for all occupants residing therein is less than $19,502.99. This income may include but is not limited to salaries, wages, pensions, insurance income, interest, dividends, alimony, child support, and Social Security. 
If you are 65 years of age or older or receiving Social Security disability, you will be granted the exemption if you are currently receiving a property tax credit or a rent credit as defined in Iowa Code Chapter 425.23. A property tax credit will be verified with the records at the Scott County Treasurer's Office. The applicant will have to provide proof of rent credit from the State of Iowa.
If you are not currently receiving a property tax credit or a rent credit as provided in the previous paragraph, the head of household will have to provide:
:1. Proof of Social Security disability, if applicable.
:2. Copies of most current income tax returns for household members to verify income under $19,502.99.
:3. If no income tax returns were filed, then the applicant will have to provide proof of age and household income under $19,502.99.
Category:City Governments
Category:Iowa
Category:Programs
Category:Recycling
Davidson College, NC "The Davidson Trust"

Type: Policy
Status: Initiated in March 2007
Source File: http://www3.davidson.edu/cms/x29226.xml
Description:
In March 2007, Davidson became the first college in the country to replace loans with grants in all of its financial aid packages. Before this initiative (named The Davidson Trust), Davidson students—like students everywhere else—received financial aid packages that included a mix of work-study and grants, as well as loans that had to be paid off within 10 years of graduation. Through The Davidson Trust, the college has increased the money it provides for grants in financial aid packages and eliminated mandatory loans. The Davidson Trust thus allows all students, regardless of socio-economic background, to graduate debt-free.
This historic action:
* allows the most talented prospective students from all backgrounds to imagine a high-quality education without the burden of debt;
* strengthens the academic experience of Davidson students, by expanding the type of perspectives voiced in the classroom;
* allows Davidson graduates to make career and life choices motivated by interest and passion, rather than financial compensation.
The Davidson Trust builds on a core value of the college—that a Davidson education should be available and affordable to all qualified students, regardless of means. It builds, too, on the college's Honor Code, which binds the community by encouraging responsibility and mutual trust.
Category:Colleges
Category:Education
Category:North Carolina
Category:Policies
Davis, CA Alternatives to Bottled Water

Type: Resolution
Status: Adopted on 10/23/07
Vote: Unanimous
Source File: http://www.city.davis.ca.us/meetings/councilpackets/20071023/08_Sustainability.pdf (p.4)
Text:
Note: From the official minutes of the City of Davis, "D. Saylor moved, seconded by R. Asmundson to approve Resolution 07-177 the Davis Bottled Water Resolution with 2 amendments; specify the effective date of November 15, 2007 and an additional exception that says “or hot weather events that the staff feels appropriate” .
Resolution 07-177
CITY OF DAVIS BOTTLED WATER RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the City of Davis provides fresh, clean, and healthy tap water to all its homes and businesses; and
WHEREAS, City of Davis tap water is extensively tested and must meet rigorous purity standards; and
WHEREAS, this tap water is readily and conveniently available in every city facility; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that 25 to 40% of bottled water originates as tap water before it is placed in the bottle; and
WHEREAS, nationally only about 1 in every 5 bottled water containers is recycled (in California recycling rates are approximately 60%), and these bottles are one of the fastest growing sources of municipal solid waste in the country; and
WHEREAS, it requires an estimated 1.5 million barrels of oil per year to produce the bottles, and substantial
amounts of energy are also required to bottle the water, to transport it by ship, train, or truck to retail outlets, to cool
it, and to process discarded bottles, and the amount of energy used for this purpose is both an energy efficiency
concern and a national security concern; and
WHEREAS, the US Conference of Mayors estimates that the energy used to manufacture bottles is enough to
generate electricity for 250,000 homes or fuel for 100,000 cars each year; and
WHEREAS, the cost of bottled water can be more than 1,000 times the cost of an equal amount of tap water.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Davis encourages all Davis residents and businesses to
consider alternatives to the purchase of bottled water; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Davis encourages citizens and businesses who do use bottled water
to recycle those bottles; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that, except when required to maintain effectiveness of personnel responding to
emergency situations (e.g. fire, police, EOC, etc.), no city funds will be used by any department or agency of the
City of Davis to purchase single-serving bottles of water, including for city funded or sponsored events. 
Category:California
Category:City Governments
Category:Davis
Category:Drinking Water
Category:Resolutions
Davis, CA Instant Runoff Voting for City Council

Type: Ballot Initiative
Status: Adopted on 11/7/06 
Vote: Yes - 55.4% No - 44.6%
Source File: http://www.yoloelections.org/sites/elections/archives/20061107/davis_l.html (Election Results)
Text:
"Should the City of Davis consider adopting choice voting, also known as instant runoff or preference voting, as the system to elect City Council members?
Category:Ballot Initiatives
Category:California
Category:City Governments
Category:Davis
Category:Voting Systems
Dawson Creek, British Columbia Solar Strategy

Type: Policy
Status: Ongoing
Source File: http://www.planningforpeople.ca/what_we_are_doing/solar/index.asp
Description:
The South Peace area of British Columbia is known for its long hours of daylight. At summer solstice, Dawson Creek receives 17.5 hours of sunlight. In the winter, days are short but usually quite sunny.
Because of the amount of sunlight we receive, and because of its potential for becoming one of the best, most cost-effective ways to reduce greenhouse gases, the City is working on developing solar energy in the area.
Buildings and operations
In order to reduce the amount of natural gas the city uses, our goal is to install solar hot water systems anywhere we heat water with natural gas. City Hall and the Fire Hall already have systems. RCMP, arenas, yards and the airport are scheduled for installations. Areas such the Fire Hall, RCMP and the arenas have very good payback periods and while in the other building that might not be the case, it is still worthwhile to install the systems as they provide opportunity for leadership and energy security.
In addition to solar hot water, we are also using solar-generated electricity on a number of traffic lights. These lights are specifically designed for traffic control, and will increase visibility of the signage. These lights are very cost effective as no wiring is required.
We are also looking at bus stops, walking trails and walkways as areas that could benefit from this type of technology.
100,000 Solar Roofs Task Force
Because of our early adoption of solar potential in BC, we were asked to co-chair a task force called “The 100,000 Solar Roofs Policy Task Force” which will act as a deployment strategy to incorporate solar energy into British Columbia’s energy portfolio. The program will remove barriers by stimulating the demand for solar technologies, promoting the popularization of residential solar systems, reducing the cost of the systems, training solar installers and developing better manufacturing and system technologies and infrastructure.
The task force is expected to deliver its final report in October of this year.
Education - Northern Lights College
Last year we asked Northern Lights College to consider delivering alternative energy training opportunities as an add-on certification to their existing programs. NLC has been a great partner and are becoming the leaders in delivering these programs in BC, which add a lot of value to our community. Working with the Canadian Solar Industry Association (CANSIA), BC Sustainable Energy Association (BCSEA) and other groups, the College is delivering solar hot water installation training. Other programs such as Solar PV (Electric), wind turbine maintenance and geothermal installation are also forthcoming.
Category:British Columbia
Category:Canada
Category:City Governments
Category:Policies
Category:Solar Energy
Decatur, AL Smoke-Free Ordinance

Type: City Code
Status: Adopted via ordinance on 8/6/07
Vote: In Favor - 3 Opposed - 2
News Source: http://legacy.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/071001/starts.shtml
Text:
(Note: The City of Decatur website has yet to post the text of the new city code. Once it is posted, it will replace the news story below.)
Smoking ban starts in Decatur
If you are caught smoking Monday in a public place in Decatur, you may be subject to a $500 fine.
An ordinance that a divided City Council passed on Aug. 6 prohibits smoking in all public places, including restaurants, bars, bingo halls, bowling alleys, office buildings, churches and just about any other enclosed public space.
The ordinance requires property owners to remove all smoking paraphernalia from their buildings and post no-smoking signs at each entrance.
District 4 City Councilman Ronny Russell, saying he got tired of breathing second-hand smoke in restaurants, sponsored the ordinance.
Category:Alabama
Category:City Governments
Category:Code
Category:Smoking