International Falls city officials are learning about a program to save energy and become a “green star” city.

The city is in the beginning stage of applying to become a GreenStep City through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The designation would help the city become more sustainable and focus on cost savings and reduction of energy use.

“If you can save energy, you save dollars — that’s the big thing,” said Cynthia Jaksa, Falls city councilor who will take the information to the rest of the council later this year. “We would not only be reducing our carbon footprint, but saving money for our taxpayers.”

Don Graves of Ray is providing free help to the city in its process of joining the program. He is one of three environmental professionals in the state helping cities as a consultant on the MPCA’s Retiree Environmental Technical Assistance Program, or RETAP. Graves works with other communities and governments to undertake actions that promote sustainability across the state.

The city would be required to formulate a plan in various environmental areas. Part of the plan that Jaksa said she will submit is one that the city has had contact with — the promotion of active transportation through the Statewide Health Improvement Program for Koochiching County.

The energy-saving program is a “voluntary challenge, assistance and recognition program” to help cities become energy efficient, is free, and is managed by public and private partnerships. 

The program is based on 28 best practices, which can be implemented by completing actions on a one, two or three-star level, according to the GreenStep Cities website. Each best practice requires action by the city from a list of four to eight actions. 

These actions, which are tailored to all Minnesota cities, focus on cost savings and energy use reduction, and “encourage civic innovation,” according to information from the program’s website.

“It’s not a cut and dry thing — it’s discretionary on what the city can do,” Jaksa said.

Jaksa said she anticipates the city council to adopt a resolution by the end of the year to officially begin an application to become a GreenStep City.

“I don’t foresee that this is something that will happen overnight,” she said.

She added that the participation in the GreenStep program will take time from city staff, and Jaksa wants to make sure the resources are there to get the work done before jumping in.

“I think it’s totally do-able,” she said.