DUBUQUE 2.0

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DUBUQUE 2.0. Established in late 2009 as a partnership between the COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER DUBUQUE and the DUBUQUE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, Dubuque 2.0 was an initiative to supply the citizens of Dubuque with the tools and information needed to measure and manage their energy usage. This would open new markets, reduce human impact on the planet and increase the competitiveness of the community. (1)

A kick-off event was scheduled for January 28th. Exhibitors included BLACK HILLS ENERGY CORP., ALLIANT ENERGY CORPORATION, DUBUQUE MAIN STREET, LTD., City of Dubuque, Keep Dubuque Clean and Green, Tri-State Trail Vision, Green Vision Education Schools, and the Dubuque Area Campus Sustainability Network. (2)

The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque received a $50,000 grant in June, 2010 from the Iowa Office of Energy Independence through the Power Fund Community Grants program. The grant was to support efforts of Dubuque 2.0 including community meetings where free toolkits were to be distributed to earn about energy efficiency and measure energy use. Participants were asked to sign a pledge of sustainability and also to register on the 2.0 website to track participant participation and community progress. (3)

In July 2010 Dubuque 2.0 announced that the non-profit organization had created window decals and stickers with the Dubuque 2.0 logo to applaud those in the community who were "thinking green." The stickers and window clings were available during community events at the Dubuque 2.0 booth. They could also be picked up at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque on the mezzanine level of the Roshek Building and at the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce office.

In September, 2010, Dubuque 2.0 received a $205,500 grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to create a new Web portal to feature sustainability-related news and information, multimedia, community events, contests and games to motivate residents to save money and resources. Dubuque 2.0 was one of 19 projects to receive grant funding. (4) At a meeting that month with leaders of the Iowa Power Fund reviewing the Smarter Sustainable Project, part of THE IBM Smarter Planet Initiative, the 2.0 project was also discussed. Leaders of 2.0 announced a template was being prepared to give to other interested cities. (5)

Dubuque 2.0 moved to LORAS COLLEGE in 2011 following the college's receipt of a $16,575 grant from the Iowa Office of Energy Independence to place utility meters in residence halls. Dubuque 2.0 began the Use Less-Win More Challenge campaign that invited residence halls to compete reducing water, electricity and steam usage. The residence hall with the best results would be rewarded prizes. (6)

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Source:

1. "Dubuque 2.0: Inspiring Sustainability," Julien's Journal, April 2011, p. 63

2. "Community Kick-Off for Dubuque 2.0 Scheduled," Telegraph Herald, January 27, 2010, p. 3

3. "$50,000 Grant Will Aid Sustainability Efforts," Telegraph Herald, June 5, 2010, p. 3

4. "Dubuque 2.0 Receives Boost," Telegraph Herald, September 17, 2010, p. 3

5. Schmidt, Helen Mozinski, "Smarter Sustainable Project Makes Splash," Telegraph Herald, September 9, 2010, p. 3

6. "Dubuque 2.0 Seeks 4.0 Effort From Students," Telegraph Herald, March 3, 2011, p. 11