Hear from Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker

Green Space Today
Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker
Courtesy Salt Lake City Corporation

Green Space Today: What recent sustainable projects has Salt Lake City completed within the past two years and how have these projects benefited Salt Lake City?

Mayor Ralph Becker:

  • Passed an ordinance requiring all City buildings meet LEED silver standards.
  • Completed Intermodal Hub and Unity Center as LEED buildings.
  • Have a policy to give preferential permitting to LEED buildings.
  • We have purchased acres of pristine open space both in our watersheds and within our municipal boundaries.
  • We have implemented a refuse disposal system that allows citizens that dispose of smaller amounts of trash to use smaller containers, and pay less. Recycling is free.
  • We have completed technical energy audits of many of our buildings, and will be implementing the energy savings measures this year, to be paid for through the reduced utility bills.
  • We are completing a pilot permeable pavement test area.
  • We have initiated a regional air quality campaign, collaborating with other local, state and county governmental entities. This has included an idle reduction campaign and next we are rolling out a campaign to reduce vehicle miles traveled.
  • We have completed our carbon footprint according to Climate Registry standards, and have a climate action plan for each department.
  • Our e2 Business program has over 70 small businesses involved in sustainable practices.
  • We have completed a review of our development code to be able to update our zoning ordinances so that we develop the city in accordance with sustainable practices.
  • Completed a pharmaceutical drug disposal program where they can be taken to the police department for incineration, rather than flushed down the toilet where they enter the environment.
  • Prohibit the use of bottled water in municipal buildings.

Green Space Today
TRAX Light Rail Commuter Train, Salt Lake City, Utah
Courtesy Salt Lake City Corporation

Benefits…. Citizen participation, business outreach, reduced carbon footprint for municipal operations, less use of energy, savings of taxpayer dollars.

Green Space Today: Do you feel that Salt Lake City has the local resources (IE finances, corporate talent, natural resources) needed to become greener?

Mayor Ralph Becker: Yes, although everyone’s finances are limited these days, so some programs may not grow as quickly as they could have in the past.

Green Space Today: While Salt Lake City is home to people of all faiths and creeds, the City is still the headquarters for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  In your opinion, how has Mormon culture affected the green movement in Salt Lake City?

Mayor Ralph Becker: The LDS culture has a strong history of self-reliance, thrift, and valuing community. It also embraces the notion that humans are stewards of the earth, and there is great potential for the LDS Church to continue being a leader in sustainability efforts both as an organization and as influential members of the community in Utah and worldwide.

Green Space Today
LEED Certified Salt Lake City Intermodal Hub
Courtesy Salt Lake City Corporation

Green Space Today: What new green projects is Salt Lake City scheduled to complete?

Mayor Ralph Becker:

  • We will be continuing to complete energy efficiency projects on municipal buildings.
  • We are working with local grocers on a campaign to reduce the use of plastic bags in stores.
  • We are completing plans to maintain the open spaces we have purchased.
  • We are working on a project to restore the Jordan River in the City.
  • We will be managing the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants that the City receives, and working with the County and State on other collaborative projects.
  • We are completing a Fleet audit to determine ways to reduce the number and size of vehicles we own, and use the ones we have most efficiently.
  • Aggressively promote residential and commercial recycling citywide to meet the "50% waste diversion by 2015" goal
  • Develop EV charging stations at city facilities

Green Space Today
The harvesting of natural light is paramount at the Salt Lake City Main Public Library.
Courtesy Salt Lake City Corporation

Green Space Today: As Mayor, what public mandates have been passed to protect the environment in Salt Lake City?

Mayor Ralph Becker:

  • LEED executive order to incentivize builders that build green.
  • Idling executive order to prohibit employees from idling vehicles.
  • Completed a Riparian Overlay Zone to protect stream corridors.
  • Free metered parking for green vehicles.
  • Created a Recycle Market Development Zone to encourage local businesses that use recycled materials, through state tax incentives.
  • Ordinances will now be written based on the development code review we have just completed.

Green Space Today
The Salt Lake City Main Public Library offers a roof-top garden with a tremendous view of the Salt Lake Valley.
Courtesy Salt Lake City Corporation

Green Space Today: What are practical lifestyle changes in which your constituents could implement to lead greener lifestyles?

Mayor Ralph Becker:

  • Try to take the bus at least once a week or carpool or walk.
  • Grow a garden.
  • Recycle everything you can.
  • Use a swamp cooler, not an air conditioner.
  • Use a push mower.
  • Plant a low-water landscape.
  • Buy local, from the farmer’s market.
  • Shop at local businesses.
  • Use reusable bags in grocery stores.

Green Space Today: What local non-profit environmental organizations do you endorse?

Mayor Ralph Becker: