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• EESP Attendees–Anne Comeau,Tom Murphy,Ginger Williams (Invited but Unable to Attend: Thom Greene, Mary Ann Smith,Allen Stryczek)
• ELPC Attendees–Howard Lerner,Seth Johnson,Susan Mudd,Jill Geiger,Christie Pollen website: http://www.elpc.org

• ELPC is meeting with multiple community groups in order to find areas of mutual interest with respect to environmental & sustainability issues. Howard indicated that they were on track to visit 50 communities or wards in 50 weeks or so. He reviewed ELPCs history & gave some background on their activity Tom Murphy provided a summation of EESPs work & we circulated our 40 page Project Plan.

• Edgewater (EESP/48th Ward) was ELPCs second such meeting. Although ELPC activities involve a wide spectrum, one of their prime focus areas is improving air quality & reducing particulate emissions. Closure of the Fisk/Crawford coal plants was a big step in that direction. They are now tracking route patterns of diesel fuel using truck lines, rail systems & public transport; & then comparing those patterns to Chicago's air quality monitoring results. An progresive overlay map of each system identfied convergence points and then poor to good air quality. The map results were clear on where the problem areas were concentrated. For more details click on Water & Air Resources and read Current State.

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Awards Received by EESP

2010

• Chicago GreenWorks Community Leadership Award
• 7th State Senate District Community Leaders Award

2011

• Friends of the Park - EESP Development
• Keep Chicago Beautiful "Community Vision" Award
• Illinois State Senate Proclamation for Community Service

2012

• National Wildlife Federation - Thorndale Community Garden Certified as Wildlife Habitat

Planning, Development & Transportation

• The Mayor's Office announced plans on March 15th for the north lakeshore beach path extension from Ardmore to Thorndale. EESP members teamed with other community volunteers on the design concept, revised plans and estimated costs. Our plan was supported by 48th Ward Master Plan committees and presented to the Alderman. He followed through with CPD & the Mayor's Office.
• P&D chairs will consult and give input on sustainability actions for community projects. (Library, Walgreens, Loyola, etc)

Air & Water

• Community film or workshop on water & air issues
• Edgewater's storm water management plan (may coordinate with CNT)
• Grant Proposal to Illinois EPA on Water Quality & Storm Management

Renewable Energy

• Google Map of Edgewater Renewable Energy and Sustainability Initiatives. http://goo.gl/maps/NEHR6
• We have reached out to outside partners on forming collaboratives for discount buying. See Report on ELPC Meeting.

Energy Efficiency

• Collaborate with CNTs Energy Efficiency initiative - now expanding to multi family buildings

Parks and Green Spaces

• Coordinate with Ward, Loyola & Block Clubs for expansion & maintenance of parks & gardens
• Coordinate Ash Borer Inoculations with BoForestry
• Work with the new Edgewater TreeKeepers on their urban tree canopy projects
• EESP member to join West Ridge Nature Center Advisory Board..acres of natural areas and wetlands to be

developed by Park District west of Edgewater at Rosehill Cemetary and within community walking distance.

Recycling

• Collaborated on another Spring Electronic Waste, paper shredding and Recycle event
• 60 Edgewater Recycling Block Captains kept informed on a bi-weekly basis
• Composting initatives
• Help the 49th Ward with their Blue Cart expansion & recruiting

Green Schools

• Continue work with CPS on local budget savings to schools for energy efficiency upgrades
• Follow up on survey of local schools on their environmental concerns

Cleaning the Neighborhood

• Participate in public & private “Clean Up Days”
• Updated survey of Edgewater Fast Food Parking Lot Clean Up plans
• Update map of SSA activity and cleaning areas

Education & Public Awareness

• Use Facebook page & other media - increase Likes to 500 and add other features
• Provide media outlets with press info & tips from EESP
• Filmed a documentary on the 2013 Earth Day grassroots community bonding work day.

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EESPs Project Committee normally meets on the second Wednesday of the month, 8:00 am-9:00 am; 5533 N. Broadway Check here for any change. The meetings are open ___________________________________________

EESP Members in the 48th Ward Comprehensive Master Plan Committees

• Environment & Health - Co-Chairs: Jen Walling, Anne Comeau Members: Tom Murphy, Ginger Williams
• Community Engagement - Secretary: Killian Walsh
• Transportation - Members: Allen Stryczek, Tom Murphy

2013: Events & Activities

• June 23rd Uncommon Ground on Devon 3 to 6 pm Green Edgewater Fundraiser
• June 15th The Garden an environmental film re an urban garden established after the L.A. riots; Elmdale PlayLot at the Pergola
• July 28th International Long Food Table 6000 Block of Kenmore EESP will host a table on environment & health
• Ash Tree Borer Inoculation Plan Bureau of Forestry has begun inoculating parkway ash trees. Call 311 to report your parkway ash tree(s). If over 50% damaged or without leaves ask for removal and tree replacement, otherwise you will be forwarded to Bof F to report the ash tree for inoculation. Give address and take down a confirmation number. On private property owners should call a local arborist and request the borer inject
• Energy Efficiency Upgrades to buildings is the most effective way to Reduce Energy Use and Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions. EESP had CNT present their multi family (5+ Units) program at the March meeting. The program offers one stop energy efficiency shopping: Energy Assessment; Financing Options; Construction Oversight and Annual Energy Performance Reports. This info was shared via our email list and social media. Dara Reiff, Outreach Coordinator is planning on meeting with as many groups as possible. Phone 773.321.2668 Email: dreiff@cntenergy.org CNT is a non profit organization. In order to meet our 2020 energy efficiency and air quality goals, this effort will be encouraged and the results tracked by CNT for EESP.
• EPA Water Quality Grant - Submittal Date: August Carmen Vidal-Hallett is taking the lead on a potential water quality grant from the Illinois EPA. and will be working with the well known Edgewater Beautiful landscape architect: Kim Kaulus.
• Parkway Beautification Presentation Tentatively Scheduled for Fall with Kim Kaulus making the presentation. Research will be needed on current ordinances and its enforcement.

Keep Cool/Save Dollars/Save Energy

• Keep the sun out & close your windows during the day.

• Open some windows during the night and use a big exhaust fan to bring in cool air (it’s cooler near the lake–take advantage of it).

• Ceiling fans in bedrooms make sleep comfortable

• Air conditioning automatically lowers the humidity, making a room more comfortable. At a setting of 78°, the relative humidity inside a room will be about 50%, which is quite comfortable for most people.

• While we have different comfort levels, the general rule-of-thumb is to set your indoor summer temperature five or more degrees higher than your winter setting.

• Close off unused rooms–don't cool them.

• Use window air conditioners rather than central air, just cool the space you are using.

Longer-term actions:

• Plant deciduous (leaf bearing) trees to the south. They shade in summer & in winter let in sun.

• Use light colored shingles. Paint a flat roof silver.

• The insulation you added in the winter helps in the summer.

• Compact fluorescent light bulbs help twice as much in the summer compared to incandescent bulbs:
  • CFLs use less electricity & they put out less heat-a lighter load on your air conditioner.

• Use your oven as little as possible & then on cool days.

Links to Renewable Energy Resources & Information

Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA)

Illinois Renewable Energy Association (IREA)

Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

Illinois Wind

Clean Air Links http://www.cleanaircounts.org/municipalities_strategies.aspx http://www.sbcapcd.org/sbc/ozonehealth.htm http://www.lungchicago.org/advocacy-air-quality/

Energy Saving Link

US DoE-Energy Savers