A Multi-Faceted Approach

Despite growing concerns about climate change, proposed Congressional legislation seeks to roll back climate provisions, while some states are eliminating the term “climate change” from science textbooks. Those actions are compelling communities like Urbandale to take the lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

To gain a better understanding of the problem, Urbandale participated in a 2019 greenhouse gas inventory, revealing that 68% of Urbandale's emissions originated from transportation and residential sources. 

Following that study, Urbandale partnered with the Polk Grow Solar project in 2023 to offer discounted solar panels to residents. The city also installed a 450-panel solar array on its Parks and Public Works Maintenance Facility.  John Konior, Director of Risk Management and Support Services, states that the panels reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 234 tons in their first year of operation.  The city is currently considering installing solar panels on an additional six public buildings.

To reduce gasoline consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, the city has purchased a number of hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs), including five hybrid police patrol cars and six unmarked vehicles.  Captain Dan Stein maintains the city’s fleet of police vehicles.  He says utilizing EVs as patrol cars may someday be possible, but only if the recharging infrastructure is improved and the time it takes to recharge vehicles is reduced. “Our patrol cars are typically in service for 12 hours straight, sometimes up to 24 hours.”

In 2024, Urbandale collaborated with Iowa State University to develop a comprehensive sustainability plan, resulting in the creation of the Sustainable Urbandale Action Plan. The plan and other resources can be found at the city's new sustainability website https://green.urbandale.org. As recommended, the city has budgeted to improve staff support for sustainability measures and is implementing a “Complete Streets” plan to ensure safer access for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists of all ages and abilities. 

Another means of making Urbandale sustainable requires constant maintenance of its parks and public areas.   Following significant tree loss during the 2023 storms, Urbandale replanted hundreds of trees with the help of volunteers and offered native species trees at discounted prices to residents this spring. According to Scott Hock, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, efforts to combat invasive species include recruiting a Drake University professor to evaluate the current health of several Urbandale parks and provide recommendations on how to remove invasive plant species.  That study will conclude in 2026.

Mayor Bob Andeweg maintains that sustainability is an important priority.  He says sustainability is attractive to current and potential residents.  At the mayor's annual Condition of the City address, he said, "Sustainability is a smart investment strategy. And it's already paying off. Our commitment to sustainability ensures Urbandale residents a healthy, vibrant place to come."

Wayne Bruns is an Urbandale resident and a volunteer with Sustainable Urbandale. This article was previously published in Urbandale Living: https://www.iowalivingmagazines.com/urbandale-archives