City of Sun Prairie and Sun Prairie Public Library Recognized as 2024 Climate Change Champions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 9, 2024
Jake King
Communications and Diversity Strategist
jking@cityofsunprairie.com
(608) 332-5397

City of Sun Prairie and Sun Prairie Public Library Recognized as 2024 Climate Change Champions

The City of Sun Prairie and its Sun Prairie Public Library have been recognized as Climate Change Champions for their significant efforts in reducing carbon emissions. This status, presented by Dane County Executive Jamie Kuhn and the Office of Energy and Climate Change (OECC), highlights the commitment from both entities to advance sustainability for the community.

City of Sun Prairie

This recognition for the City was achieved through two major initiatives: the installation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant solar array and the partnership with Green Box, an organic collection and compost creation company.

The City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant has become a trailblazer by installing a 403-kilowatt (kW) solar array, marking the first municipal facility in Sun Prairie to operate entirely on renewable energy. Since becoming operational in early May, the solar array has already generated 256,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean energy. Projections indicate it will produce around 519,000 kWh annually, leading to an estimated 20% reduction in the facility's energy consumption, significantly lowering its carbon footprint. While the solar array represents a significant leap toward renewable energy, the City's efforts extend beyond this initiative.

Another key achievement is the successful collaboration with Green Box. This collaboration has successfully diverted paper towels from landfills in municipal buildings, contributing to local composting efforts and furthering sustainability goals.

Sun Prairie Public Library

The Sun Prairie Public Library has achieved a 3-star Climate Champion status for its all-electric, LEED-certified facility, which includes advanced sustainability features such as battery storage, geothermal heat pumps, and solar power. The library's design was supported by FEH Design, Design Engineers, and Snyder and Associates. The

upcoming library expansion will enhance sustainability with solar panels, a microgrid system, and electric vehicle charging stations.

“We are honored to be recognized as a Climate Change Champion,” said Svetha Hetzler, Director of the Sun Prairie Public Library. “This achievement reflects our commitment to sustainability and creating a positive environmental impact for future generations in Sun Prairie.”

To expand the impact of sustainability efforts, the City is committed to advancing its climate action goals with a long-term clime action plan aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving resilience to climate impacts, and promoting sustainable community practices. This plan will include a comprehensive analysis of effective reduction strategies to ensure substantial emission reductions and a sustainable future for Sun Prairie.

“I am proud of the steps we continue to take to reduce emissions,” said Rose Daily, Sustainability Coordinator. “The City of Sun Prairie is committed to expanding our efforts and embedding sustainable practices for our community through innovative solutions and long-term climate action initiatives.”

For more information on Sun Prairie’s continuing sustainability initiatives, please go to https://cityofsunprairie.com/1189/Sustainable-Sun-Prairie

About City of Sun Prairie

Sun Prairie is a vibrant and thriving community located in northeastern Dane county, just east of the City of Madison. The City of Sun Prairie has experienced strong population growth since its incorporation from a village to a city in 1958, undergoing a transformation from a relatively small community of less than 4,000 to an estimated 39,419 today.