Energy / Dubuque, Iowa: 2010 Smarter City - Energy

Credit: Mike Willis/Flickr

Dubuque, Iowa's city government has made a greener future a top priority for several years, but now they’re reaching out to citizens, nonprofits and business leaders to aid them on the path towards sustainability. “In Dubuque we have a partner philosophy,” says Cindy Steinhauser, the assistant city manager. “We do not believe in doing this alone.” Dubuque’s advances in alternative energy development, energy-saving initiatives and individual volunteer action qualify it for the title of a 2010 Smarter City for Energy.

A Powerful Partnership

IBM has selected Dubuque to host its pilot program for the American Smarter Cities project (Note: NRDC’s Smarter Cities project has no affiliation with IBM and receives no funding from the company.) The company is equipping the city and its residents with individual online portfolios that will allow them to identify and correct wasteful practices. The hope is that by providing the city with an integrated view of the energy consumed by the electric grid, water system and general city services, the project will lead to behavior change on an individual and citywide level.

All 22 Smarter Cities, Plus More Energy Articles, Photo Galleries, Profile Links & Toolkits

American Cities Get Smart About Energy

Dubuque, Iowa Profile

Effluent into Energy

In spring 2011, Dubuque will begin to convert its water pollution control plant to a process called temperature phased anaerobic digestion. “The process uses bacteria in large heated tanks, in the absence of oxygen, to breakdown the organic matter in the solids collected in the treatment process,” explains Jonathan Brown, the plant’s manager. “The end product is methane, which will be used to generate electricity in a combined heat and power system, and stable bio-solids, which can be used in composting or as a soil conditioner for agricultural use.” While the plant conversion will have a large upfront cost, the long-term payoff will be significant. The changes will not only conserve 150,000 gallons of fuel oil and 3,500,000 kilowatt hours of electricity, but will also save the city about $236,000 annually.

Tradition and Technology

Dubuque’s efforts in its Historic Millwork District further exemplify the city’s commitment to sustainable solutions. The Historic Millwork master plan involves retrofitting buildings with energy-efficient appliances and lighting upgrades, installing rainwater cisterns and adding green roofs to the district’s many warehouses. The city is also working with local and regional utility providers to explore the possibility of installing geothermal heating and cooling, a system already in place in several of the city’s public and private facilities, throughout the Millwork District. Some developers in the area are even considering investing in renewable energy from the wind power test site that has opened up to independent manufacturers in Dubuque’s industrial park.