Brownfields are abandoned and/or environmentally contaminated industrial sites which are under utilized and afford the potential for redevelopment. Working through the Office of Economic Development, the city has identified and incentivized brownfield sites for remediation and redevelopment.  One notable former brownfield site is the Scioto Audubon Metro Park which is now open as a recreational ammenity near downtown Columbus. 

Through the United States Department of Energy and the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act over $7 million was awarded  to the city as part of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) in order to develop and implement projects to create jobs, improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. View a list of city EECBG projects. 

The Green Columbus Fund is a reimbursement grant program that uses financial incentives to encourage sustainable development and redevelopment.  Private businesses and non-profits can apply for grants to either redevelop Brownfield sites or to build green in Columbus.  More detailed information is available online.

The city studied its baseline greenhouse gas emissions in 2005.  With an initial inventory totaling 317,926 MT eCO2, the city has taken actions to reduce its demand on natural resources by upgrading inefficient lighting, monitoring and adjusting building temperatures, improving HVAC systems, and weatherizing buildings.  The city has set a goal to reduce emissions by 2% each year until 2030.  In order to reach this goal, the city uses the Energy Star Portfolio Manager, an interactive management and benchmarking tool, to gather ongoing data about the contribution each of the city's buildings makes to emissions. 

Funded in part by the City of Columbus, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) offers home energy effiency services to income eligible columbus power customers. Services offered include assessment and, if necessary, repair/replacement of electric appliances and lighting. Visit the MORPC website to learn more. 

Mayor Michael B. Coleman has stated his commitment to meet or exceed LEED certification standards for all new City of Columbus owned facilities. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an internationally-recognized green building certification system.   The City of Columbus proudly congratulates its community partners who have made the same commitment to build and renovate using LEED standards.   

ME3 represents the words: Materials, Energy, Environment and Economics.  The program offers a series of "lean and clean" facility audits, along with participation in a network of companies that convert waste materials into by-products or feedstocks. As a result of these services, members have identified millions of dollars in savings as well as substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and waste sent to the landfill. 

Watch the Columbus E3 Project Spotlight here.