Most of the items in the PTI Store are PDF files for you to use with the Adobe Reader or compatible viewer software such as Foxit Reader or Apple Preview.

Read more    03-02-2009

A soft-cover full-color edition of the PTI publication Local Government Energy Assurance Guidelines is now available for $33.49 on Amazon.com at this link.

The publication helps city and county officials to address energy assurance and security concerns for mission-critical government facilities.

"Protecting and enhancing the resiliency of the energy sector from natural and human-caused disasters requires local governments to be vigilant and aware of the interdependencies of the system," said PTI executive director Alan Shark.

Read more    06-15-2009

2006-2007 Technology in Sustainability: Impacting the Management of Energy and Environmental Services describes how several PTI member local governments are employing technology to improve operations and services in the sustainability arena.

Each example describes the problem or issue the local government needed to solve, details of how it addressed the problem, and the results of that solution or implementation.

These projects were submitted as part of the PTI 2006-2007 Technology Solutions Award competition. This annual program recognizes PTI members that have demonstrated how, through the use of technology, local government has improved community services, improved operations or reduced costs.

Examples contained in this report:

Read more    09-26-2007

Alternative Transportation Technology Strategies for Local Governments is designed to help local officials develop alternative approaches to power their municipal fleets, and to develop environmentally friendly practices for public transportation systems.

The first case study examines the process Fairfax County, VA undertook to address all active and potential environmental projects and policy needs and to provide a framework to make decisions about associated planning and investment.

Fort Worth, TX and Phoenix, AZ describe in detail how they implemented energy-efficient and environmentally friendly strategies for powering their vehicle fleets. Portland, OR describes initiatives city leaders undertook to increase the use of biofuels in city operated vehicles, as well as efforts to promote alternative transportation options for residents.

We have included information on the Plug-In Partners National PHEV Initiative (PTI is a campaign partner), and Weststart-CALSTART, a non-profit organization that works with the public and private sectors to develop advanced transportation technologies.

The development of this publication was spearheaded by the PTI Sustainability Council, the network of officials representing energy and environmental agencies in PTI member cities and counties. This council has developed a national reputation for its efforts to help local governments address their sustainable development needs.

Price: $25.00 for members and $50.00 for nonmembers.

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03-19-2007     Send a link     Topics:  Sustainability  Transportation     Print version

This manual covers nearly all disciplines involved in the design, construction and operation of green buildings. Many individuals across the building professions provided assistance. The manual underwent a consensus review process by members of the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) and was peer reviewed by U.S. DOE and EPA officials.

Understanding the specifics of sustainable building and determining effective sustainable practices can be confusing. Local governments and private industry often do not have the resources to perform the necessary research to assemble information on sustainable practices, assuming such information is readily available.

The Sustainable Building Technical Manual was written to fill that void. In its pages, noted private practitioners and local government experts extract, consolidate, and prioritize—from their own experience and expertise—the scattered and growing volume of information pertaining to sustainable buildings.

Price: $20.00 for members and $40.00 for nonmembers.
This is a PDF document only. No physical items will be shipped.

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01-03-2005     Send a link     Topics:  Sustainability     Print version

Why Not Do it Ourselves? A Resource Guide for Local Government Officials and Citizens Regarding Public Ownership of Utility Systems addresses critical public services such as electricity, natural gas, water, wastewater and sewage treatment and telecommunications.

While these services are very different, the steps a community should pursue when considering whether to provide these services as a city, town or county are generally the same. Therefore, the first half of this book deals with utilities generally.

The second half presents the decisionmaking process that one should consider separately for each type of utility. It includes case studies that address each of the five types of utilities with actual examples of the processes that real communities have undertaken in determining whether public ownership and operation was right for them.

Published 2001. Price: $25.00 for members and $50.00 for nonmembers.

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12-05-2001     Send a link     Topics:  Sustainability  Telecommunications & IT     Print version

The intended audience for this white paper is solid waste and environmental professionals, health and safety managers, risk management specialists, parks and recreation staff, educators, highway and transportation personnel, policymakers and legislators.

Problems and liabilities associated with scrap tires and other problem waste streams are introduced. The role of tire piles in the public perception of disease outbreaks such as the West Nile Virus is addressed as an example.

The paper reviews tire recycling and major municipal applications for the recycled products. This review suggests that there is a large untapped municipal market for recycled rubber materials, and that the public sector can play an important role in the development of sustainable product stewardship initiatives in collaboration with the private sector.

Published 2001. Price: $12.00 for members and $20.00 for nonmembers.

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03-02-2001     Send a link     Topics:  Sustainability     Print version

Powerful Choices: Accessing Public Purpose Funds for Community Energy Programs in a Restructured Utility Marketplace is a report of the San Jose, CA Community Choices in a Restructured Utility Marketplace Project.

It documents the city’s experience of the impact on local governments from the current transition to a more competitive electricity industry, and suggests how to use the changes in utility industry practices to the net benefit of communities.

The report begins with a brief background introducing the reader to the climate of deregulation in California and its effects on energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. Next, the city’s strategic approach to the project is described. Finally the results of the project are provided and analyzed.

Published 1998. Price: $12.00 for members and $20.00 for nonmembers.

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09-05-1998     Send a link     Topics:  Sustainability     Print version

Choosing the right path for a sustainable transportation policy is a daunting responsibility. Technological innovations are opening up new avenues for local governments and decision-makers, but on the road less traveled, pitfalls and potholes threaten those without direction.

The communities highlighted in this publication have chosen new paths through intelligent transportation systems. By harnessing existing resources with new technologies, ITS propels sustainable local development by enabling communities to use those resources now and in the future.

Sections include Options and Access for Citizens; Better Tools for Moving People; Fair Pricing for Transportation; Moving Goods; Shaping the City; Transportation Planning and Air Quality; Getting ITS Off the Ground, Success Stories and a Glossary.

Published 1998. Price: $12.00 for members and $20.00 for nonmembers.

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06-04-1998     Send a link     Topics:  Sustainability  Transportation     Print version

The City Of Phoenix’s Energy Management program for its municipal facilities is one of the oldest energy conservation and efficiency programs in the U.S.

Through a concentration on energy efficiency—from routine, relatively simple measures to highly sophisticated measures such as district cooling and standardized direct digital control of buildings—the focus on energy management has resulted in both direct and indirect savings that bolster Phoenix’s overall resource efficiency.

Establishing a Revolving Loan Fund for Energy Efficiency in Local Governments documents the City of Phoenix process from early energy efficiency initiatives to establishing the energy conservation savings reinvestment program and maintaining this funding mechanism through tracking and measurement of the program’s purpose. Published 1996.

Price: $12.00 for members and $20.00 for nonmembers.

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11-01-1996     Send a link     Topics:  Sustainability     Print version

Concerned planning commissions are seeking to manage the environmental impacts of lighting. Though site lighting has long been a criterion for site plan review, most towns have lacked the information and expertise to set standards or review plans.

The goal of this study is to help municipalities identify exterior lighting issues, understand basic lighting design concepts and set sensible, clear and meaningful lighting standards.

Outdoor Lighting Manual for Vermont Municipalities was published in 1996 by the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission, Essex Junction VT, and was made possible in part by PTI through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy Municipal Energy Management Program.

Price: $17.00 for members and $25.00 for nonmembers.

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05-15-1996     Send a link     Topics:  Sustainability     Print version

This publication examines how various governmental policies, institutional configurations and intergovernmental relationships enable local governments to identify and achieve sustainability objectives. It defines sustainability as the ongoing presence of government-sponsored programs in areas that contribute to economic growth, combined with enlightened long-term planning and the judicious use of resources.

It employs a case-study approach to characterize and evaluate the tools used by ten different communities to implement sustainable actions. By emphasizing replicability, these examples address a range of policy actions to encourage and assist other local jurisdictions to orient programs to sustain the needs of citizens and involve them directly.

Published 1996. Price: $12.00 for members and $20.00 for nonmembers.

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05-01-1996     Send a link     Topics:  Sustainability     Print version

This procurement manual is intended for use by local government purchasing agents, energy managers and program managers looking for cost-effective, environmentally responsible equipment that meets unique energy needs.

It povides the information local governments need to purchase photovoltaic products successfully.

Information in the manual is aimed primarily at providing power for urban-area electric loads that can be expensive to connect to the local utility grid. There are hundreds of cost-effective applications for photovoltaics, including lighting, communications equipment, monitoring at remote sites, warning signals, water pumping, temporary highway signs, marine equipment and more.

Published 1995. Price: $12.00 for members and $20.00 for nonmembers.

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08-02-1995     Send a link     Topics:  Sustainability     Print version

The purpose of the Local Government Guide to Solid Waste Competitive Service Delivery is to provide program managers, administrators and policymakers with a standardized tool for evaluating the technical feasibility and cost implications of delivering solid waste management services through a competitive approach.

Drawing on the experiences of jurisdictions around the country, the guidebook offers a model process that you can adapt to the political, community and economic variables unique to your jurisdiction to develop a competitive delivery system that meets your requirements.

It provides a method for calculating current program costs, then evaluating the costs of transition to and administration of competitive service delivery system; and a blueprint for drafting procurement documents that encourage participation of public- and private-sector service providers.

Published 1995. Price: $12.00 for members and $20.00 for nonmembers.

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03-26-1995     Send a link     Topics:  Sustainability     Print version