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Building a Sustainable Middleton — For Today and Tomorrow
Middleton is taking action. Climate change is real, urgent, and personal—and we’re not waiting to respond. Our sustainability efforts aim to meet the needs of our community today while protecting the future for generations to come.
We believe that true sustainability means more than just being environmentally friendly. It’s about building a healthy, inclusive, and resilient community—where clean air, safe water, accessible transportation, equity, and opportunity go hand in hand.
As outlined in our Comprehensive Plan, we’re committed to creating solutions that move us forward, not just reacting to the past. That means challenging outdated systems, protecting natural resources, supporting marginalized voices, and prioritizing people and planet over profit.
The Middleton Sustainability Committee meets monthly (typically the third Monday at 6:30 p.m.) to advise the Common Council and champion local initiatives. From community-wide recycling events to LED lightbulb exchanges, we’re creating real change together.
Do you know of any individuals, businesses, or organizations in Middleton who have been making a positive difference in helping make our community more sustainable?
After 81% of Middleton voters overwhelmingly called for climate change action, Middleton’s Common Council adopted a resolution with goals for ending community-wide use of fossil fuels. To achieve these goals, a significant effort is required to promote renewable energy and reduce energy consumption through conservation and efficiency measures.
To help raise awareness to meet this challenge, Middleton’s Sustainability Committee launched a “Sustainable Middleton Awards” program in 2022. This awards program recognizes individuals, businesses, and organizations that have taken significant sustainability actions over the past year or more. Actions being considered include: energy (renewables, efficiency, or conservation); land stewardship; environmental education; food; transportation; waste reduction; and water conservation and runoff reduction. These awards are also meant to inspire and motivate other residents, businesses, community groups, and non-profits to implement similar sustainable actions.
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)
- Dane County Climate Champion (2021) - Climate Champion Catalyst Article Link
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 helps in understanding how Middleton achieves sustainable practices and how improvements can be made to enhance the city's sustainability.
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
Middleton, Wisconsin, aligns local policies with LEED for Cities and Communities
"Local governments take up effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, combat climate change, Middleton preparing to go all-renewable by 2050" - Wisconsin State Journal
"Let the sun shine" - Isthmus
"Middleton UNANIMOUSLY Calls for 100% Clean Energy" - Sierra Club (Wisconsin Chapter)
"City Council Takes Steps Towards LEED Certification" (PDF) - Middleton Times-Tribune
"Free LED Lightbulbs Available at Two Events" (PDF) - Middleton Times-Tribune
"LED Lightbulb Exchange Success Story" - Dane County Office of Energy and Climate Change
The Middleton Sustainability Committee is pleased to share the recently approved "Sustainable City Plan." This is the first update of the plan since it was initially published in 2010. The new strategy focuses on actions that the Sustainability Committee and city staff can take over the next three years to move Middleton closer to achieving the goals of Resolution 2018-32, “Resolution to Address Global Warming through Clean Energy.” Most of the actions in the draft plan are from the Green City chapter of the 2021 Comprehensive Plan.
- Middleton Sustainable City Plan
- Middleton Strategic Plan
- 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 Dane County communities to develop an energy plan for the overall region, and this plan is specific to Middleton (PDF). The plan is essential in targeting Middleton's most excellent energy use and taking steps towards energy efficiency. The appendices (PDF) are also helpful 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)
- Resolution to Support Streetlight Conversion to LEDs to Save Money and Reduce Carbon Emissions (PDF)
- Webinar - Sustainable Leadership Collaborative -- Middleton's Sustainable Purchasing Policy Implementation
- Sustainable Purchasing Policy
- Sustainable Purchasing Policy Implementation Plan