Tool Kits

Help us develop this resource section for all to use to make their cities smarter. If your city, town or community group has a sustainability project underway, email us about about any resources or publications, at smartercities@nrdc.org.

Playbook for Green Buildings and Neighborhoods

The Playbook website provides local governments with guidance and resources to rapidly advance green buildings, neighborhoods and infrastructure. Strategic action in these sectors promotes economic development, builds healthier communities, strengthens energy independence, and supports climate protection.

Switch to Green Power in NYC

This website allows New York City residents and small businesses to sign up for green power in 3 easy steps.

Driving Change

Piloted by the City and County of Denver, Driving Change is the first internet-based vehicular greenhouse gas management system which helped Denver improve its fuel efficiency 15%.

Green Building: LEED for Neighborhood Development

The LEED for Neighborhood Development Rating System integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism and green building into the first national system for neighborhood design. LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a development's location and design meet accepted high levels of environmentally responsible, sustainable development. Learn more.

Portland Municipal Resources

Download the City of Portland and Multnomah County Climate Action Plan 2009 (pdf), which details the cities conservation and climate change preparation initiatives.

Visit Clean Energy Works: Portland for information on financing for residential energy effiency upgrades.

See the Portland Ecoroof program for information on the city's living roof projects.

Click here for information on Portland's sustainable stormwater management efforts.

See the Portland Brownfield Program to learn about how the city is reclaiming contaminated sites for development.

El Paso Municipal Resources

Download the City of El Paso's Livable City Sustainability Plan (pdf) for the city's overall strategy to improve quality of life in El Paso.

The El Paso Solar Energy Association (EPSEA) supports the development of solar installations in West Texas, Southern New Mexico and Northern Mexico.

Visit the El Paso Department of Sustainability for information on local sustainabiltiy initiatives.

Seattle Municipal Resources

Download the Seattle Climate Protection Initiative Progress Report 2009 (pdf) for a report on recent initiatives.

Download the 2008 Seattle Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory (pdf) for details on the city's most recent energy audit.

See the Seattle Office of Housing HomeWise program for weatherization services available to homeowners.

See the Powerful Neighborhoods program to learn about free retrofits available to South Seattle residents.

Fort Collins Municipal Resources

Download the City of Fort Collins Utilities 2009 Energy Policy (pdf), which details the utilities goals and vision for 2050.

Download the City of For Collins Utilities Electric Energy Supply Policy 2008 Annual Update (pdf), which details the city's activities and progress since the Energy Policy.

Download the 2008 Fort Collins Climate Action Plan (pdf), which outlines the city's strategic plan to meet it's 2020 goal.

Click here for information on rebates and programs available to Fort Collins residents.

Community Solar Project

The resource manager in Ellensburg, WA came up with a plan to bring solar power to the whole community. In this Q&A he provides some useful advice on everything from financing to choosing the right solar panels.

Berkeley, California Municipal Resources

To read about Berkeley's clean energy initiatives, check out the City of Berkeley official website.

Tool Kits

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