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Cottage Grove's sustainability efforts - https://www.vi.cottagegrove.wi.gov/187/Public-Works-Properties-Sustainability-C

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Public Works, Properties & Sustainability Committee | Cottage Grove, WI

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The Public Works and Properties Committee was created for the purpose of reviewing and making recommendations to the Village Board on all public works, public facilities, parkland, park facilities, recreational trail and related facilities.

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Sustainability efforts in Cross Plains are here - https://www.cross-plains.wi.us/1297/Sustainability

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Sustainability | Village of Cross Plains, WI

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Get more information regarding the Village’s Sustainability efforts.

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A SolSmart Bronze community, Fitchburg recently published a sustainability plan at https://www.fitchburgwi.gov/142/Green-Fitchburg

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Fitchburg Sustainability Plan - draft plan is ready!

Phase 2 of Fitchburg's Sustainability Plan is now complete, with the City, its volunteer planning team, and consultant Pale Blue Dot having created a draft plan for public and municipal review.

We have received public and internal feedback and are working on final revisions to the Plan, as well as developing an implementation plan for the final product. You can find the draft plan on the .

Thanks to everybody who completed the survey or otherwise has participated in the process so far! Now please take a chance to review the Draft Sustainability Plan , and provide feedback on individual topic areas or the plan as a whole, using forms on each section as you click through them. As always, you can also reach out to the City's Sustainability Specialist ( ) if you have questions or would like to offer input, and look for coming public sessions where the draft plan will be presented and time set aside for questions and other feedback. phil.grupe@fitchburgwi.gov

Information is also available via the " Fitchburg Sustainability Plan " link on the sidebar at the left.

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Find out what the city is doing to protect the climate.

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The City of Madison's Sustainability & Resilience efforts are all online here - https://www.cityofmadison.com/sustainability

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Home to the first net-zero Public Safety Center in Wisconsin, McFarland's sustainability efforts are summarized here - https://www.mcfarland.wi.us/399/Sustainability-Planning

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Solar Permitting Checklist

Are you looking to add solar to your home or property and lower your monthly energy costs? See below on the three easy steps for how you can get started with your savings.

1. Complete a Building Permit Application. Fill out areas indicated in yellow and check off electrical permit.

2. Submit completed forms to buildinginspector@mcfarland.wi.gov via email or you can drop off it at the Community & Economic Development Office window located in the Municipal Center. For drop-offs outside normal business hours, there is a 24-hour drop box in the municipal parking lot.

3. Submitted and complete building permit applications for residential rooftop solar will be processed in 1 - 3 business days, excluding day of submittal.

4. The Building Inspector or Department will notify applicants of their permits and the associated permit fee. Payments for ready permits can be made over the phone (includes 2.65% service fee) or via check at the same office window or drop box. Please make checks payable to "Village of McFarland".

NOTE: A site plan drawing must be included with applications that include ground mounted solar. Fee totals may vary depending on the scope of the project and if there is additional work included.

Resources on Financing & Incentives

Now is the best time to start planning for your clean energy project. Whether you're a resident, business owner, property owner, or just overall interested in savings, take advantage of the opportunities available below.

Dane County Office of Energy and Climate Change - Dane County provides helpful materials about the Inflation Reduction Act and other related resources on solar installation. The following links can help you maximize on the federally funded program savings today.

Focus on Energy - Focus on Energy is a state-run program connecting cost-effective, energy efficiency, and rebates benefits to all Wisconsin residents and commercial businesses.

Alliant Energy - Alliant offers resources on savings tips, energy assessments for homes and businesses, and connects property owners to available rebates. Find out how you could be saving on your next home improvement project.

Madison Gas & Electric (MGE) - MGE offer their customers several savings programs. Check out what saving options are available to you.

Ongoing Programming

Passive programing can be an essential tool to community engagement. Each project supports the greater impact shared in our community. See how you can also participate!

TerraCycle - A recycling program dedicated to collecting plastic wrappers and other recyclable materials. The program runs concurrently with the Lion's Club's Plastic Bag Drop Off and encourages smart management of waste materials. Locations can be found in at the Village's Public Library and Municipal Center

No Mow May- This community program encourages reducing mowing activities during the month of May to allow emerging species and pollinators a head start on the upcoming season. Bees, insects and birds benefit from an abundance of food sources and shelter while we benefit from cleaner air quality and lower carbon emissions. The Village offers free yard signs per completed registrations. Check the link in late-April again for more details.
No Mow May (this link may not be active year-round)

Plastic Bag Drop Off - This recycling initiative is organized by our McFarland Lion's Clubs. Drop-off locations can be found at the Public Library, Municipal Center, and One Community Bank. This recycling program promotes how we can reduce plastic waste starting with our single-use plastic bags. See the flyers below for materials accepted and NOT accepted.

Energy Planning and Reports

The McFarland Comprehensive Energy Plan and McFarland Community Center Report were completed in December 2023 with the help of contracted consultants HGA. The Village Board will utilize the two documents along with the Sustainability Plan to make informed decisions on energy savings strategies and sustainable improvement projects throughout the Village.

View the McFarland Comprehensive Energy Plan (PDF)

View the McFarland Community Center Net Zero Report (PDF)

View the McFarland Public Safety Center Net Zero Report (PDF)

Sustainability Plan, 2021

The McFarland Sustainability Plan, 2021 serves as a milestone in climate action planning for the Village of McFarland. The plan establishes principle guidelines detailing the overall guiding visions, measurable objectives, and target strategies (plans of actions) intended to support implementation processes.

View the McFarland Sustainability Plan (PDF)

View the Sustainability & Natural Resources Committee page

How McFarland is Staying Connected

Partnerships and networking with organizations around Wisconsin help Village Staff on our goals with sustainability. Additionally, valuable peer-sharing and educational resources aid us in our efforts for a more vibrant community. Each below organization provides opportunities for peer learning and resource sharing.

Awards and Accomplishments

2024 SolSmart Gold Designation - The Village of McFarland achieved this designation through an array of solar initiatives, including multiple updates to zoning for residential and utility-scale solar, posting public information about topics from consumer protection to financial incentives and resources, installing solar on city-owned buildings, and more.

2022/23 Office of Energy and Innovation - Energy Innovation Grant Program Awardee- The Village of McFarland was awarded $350,000 in grant funding for the project submittal of a Level 1 Microgrid Community Resilience Center and battery storage. The application was one of 28 applications selected for funding from a total of 135 applications.

2022 Climate Champion, Fleet Operations - The McFarland Police Department was awarded this recognition for their emerging growth in purchasing the Village's first electric vehicle.

2021 Climate Champion on Net-Zero Public Safety Center - In 2021, the Village was awarded the Climate Champion Award in the "Other" category for the Net Zero Public Safety Center. The building received a Level 3 distinction for its innovative Net-Zero design and energy conservation.

2021 First Rooftop Solar Installation - The first municipal solar panels were installed on our Village's Public Works Building in 2021. The energy generated helps to offset the building's energy usage.

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Humanity only has one world; view information on the Village's Sustainability Plan to help sure it stays that way.

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The first LEED Gold City in Wisconsin, Middleton's sustainability efforts are summarized here - https://www.cityofmiddleton.us/118/Sustainability

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Sustainability | Middleton, WI - Official Website

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Overview of the Sustainability efforts taking place in Middleton, along with awards, news articles, and important plans/resolutions.

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Monona's sustainability efforts are summarized here - https://www.mymonona.com/381/Sustainable-Monona

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Sustainable Monona | Monona, WI - Official Website

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Pollinators like bees are critical for our food production - the USDA estimates that 1 in 3 bites of food depends on pollinators for its production! However, pollinator populations are dwindling due to habitat loss and environmental contaminants.

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A SolSmart Bronze community, Mount Horeb's efforts are summarized here - https://www.mounthorebwi.info/264/Sustainability-Natural-Resources-Committ

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Sustainability & Natural Resources Committee | Mount Horeb, WI

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The Village of Oregon adopted a Sustainability Plan in 2023. See https://oregonwi.gov/DocumentCenter/View/506/Sustainability-Plan-2023-07-10-PDF

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The first SolSmart Platinum designated city in the Midwest, Sun Prairie's sustainability efforts are summarized here - https://cityofsunprairie.com/1189/Sustainable-Sun-Prairie

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Sustainable Sun Prairie | Sun Prairie, WI - Official Website

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The City of Sun Prairie has achieved Dane County’s Climate Champion status in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.

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Shorewood Hills has a 2019 sustainability plan - https://www.shorewood-hills.org/vertical/sites/%7B00D5AF3F-ADFE-4173-AF3A-FC0C1A78DA4B%7D/uploads/Sustainability_Plan-Final.pdf

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Stoughton's sustainabiliy committee efforts and plan are here - https://www.cityofstoughton.com/sustainability

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City of Verona has an Ad Hoc Sustainability Committee and a Sustainable Verona website at https://www.veronawi.gov/737/Sustainable-Verona

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Sustainable Verona | Verona, WI - Official Website

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This website and other links from this website are to help empower residents with knowledge, skills, and tools to promote a sustainable lifestyle. Click on the icons below to learn more information about each topic.

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Waunakee created an Ad Hoc Sustainability Committee in 2024. Learn more at https://www.vil.waunakee.wi.us/1100/Sustainability-in-Waunakee

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Sustainability in Waunakee | Waunakee, WI - Official Website

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Waunakee Utilities is a Community-Owned Nonprofit, which keeps renewable options affordable for village residents. As part of the Choose Renewable plan, residents can source 100% of their energy from Midwest renewable sources for an extra $2 a month.

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Monona Grove School District Office, Monona Drive, Monona, WI

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Monona Grove School District Office, Monona Drive, Monona, WI

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Monona Grove School District Office, Monona Drive, Monona, WI

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The MGSD sustainability committee's efforts are documented here

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Sustainability at MGSD - Monona Grove School District

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Sustainability at MGSD - Monona Grove School District

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Middleton-Cross Plains School District, WI

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Middleton-Cross Plains School District, WI

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Middleton-Cross Plains School District, WI

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Summary of sustainability efforts at https://www.mcpasd.k12.wi.us/page/sustainability-efforts-at-mcpasd

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Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District

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OSD shares energy data from their schools online at https://sites.google.com/oregonsd.net/osd-business-services/sustainability

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Building Egauge (sub-meters) Devices (The data expressed in Dollars is not accurate becasue of the complexity of commercial utility charges) Oregon High School (with solar) Oregon Middle School (with solar) Forest Edge Elementary School (with solar) Brooklyn Elementary School (with solar) Rome

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SPASD posts energy use data online at https://www.sunprairieschools.org/departments/facilities-grounds

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Facilities & Grounds - Sun Prairie Area School District

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Facilities & Grounds - Sun Prairie Area School District