Sustainability

Welcome!

The goal of the city’s sustainability initiatives is to “meet community needs and aspirations and best optimize the unique nature of the community without compromising the well-being of future generations.” 

The climate crisis poses an immense threat to our present and future. We cannot and will not wait to combat it. In this fight, sustainability across all sectors of our city is of the utmost importance. As stated in Middleton’s Comprehensive plan, “Middleton will respond to disruptive changes in our climate, ecological, and social systems in ways that connect us to an emerging future rather than by reacting against the patterns of the past – which can mean perpetuating systems that are not sustainable (structural racism, ecological destruction, and profit-oriented decision-making that does not protect people’s and the environment’s well-being).” We must understand and act upon the intersectionality of sustainability by promoting healthy community, protecting our natural environment, improving accessibility, addressing systemic and practiced inequities, and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities in pursuit of lasting environmental, social, and economic justice.

The Middleton Sustainability Committee meets once a month (typically on the third Monday of each month at 6:30 pm) and is charged with making policy recommendations to the Middleton Common Council pertaining to environmental sustainability. The committee also organizes community events, such as the Clean & Green Middleton recycling event and the LED lightbulb exchange event. Please feel free to peruse the links on this page and don’t hesitate to contact me with questions or comments.

Kelly Hilyard, MLA 
khilyard@cityofmiddleton.us
Sustainability Coordinator
Staff liaison to the Sustainability Committee

• Renewable Energy Pioneer of the Year (2019) - RENEW Wisconsin for the Middleton Municipal Airport solar project
• Recognition as a Bird City - Bird City Wisconsin 
• Dane County Climate Champion (2020)
• Bicycle Friendly Community - Wisconsin Bike Fed
• LEED for Cities 2020 Grant Award - As outlined in a city press release (PDF), Middleton is using the grant to work towards LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Cities certification. This process aids in understanding how Middleton succeeds in sustainable practices and how improvements can be made to increase the city's sustainability.
• 2022 Energy Innovation Grant Award for Beneficial Electrification and Solar + Battery Storage in Affordable Housing 
• 2020 Energy Innovation Grant Program Award for Battery Storage at the Police Department 
• 2018 Energy Innovation Grant Award for Energy Planning  - Office of Energy Innovation and Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
• Tree City USA Participant 

Recent In the News

​Plans and Resolutions

• Middleton Sustainable City Plan (PDF)
• City of Middleton's 2021 Comprehensive Plan (PDF) - Check out the "Green City" section (page 93) for detailed info about Middleton's sustainability vision
• Slipstream Municipal Energy Plan (PDF)  - Middleton collaborated with Slipstream and six other communities in Dane County to develop energy plans for the overall region and this plan specific to Middleton (PDF). The plan is essential in targeting Middleton's greatest energy use and taking steps towards energy efficiency. The appendices (PDF) are also useful for understanding the plan. 
• Resolution to Support 25% of Electricity and 25% of Transportation Fuels from Renewable Resources by 2025 (PDF)
• Resolution to Support 100% Community Wide Renewable Energy by 2050 (PDF)

Email Updates

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Sustainability Pictured Around Middleton