Environment & Sustainability

The City of Falcon Heights’ chief goal is to create and maintain a high quality of life in a community that is an aging, inner ring, fully developed suburb adjacent to St. Paul and within two miles of Minneapolis. By funding good public services and investing prudently in rebuilding and maintaining infrastructure in a sustainable and resilient way, the City seeks not only to keep those qualities valued by today’s residents but to be attractive for future reinvestment, redevelopment and renewal, which puts a premium on sustainability and resiliency, by residents, businesses and public institutions.

Minnesota GreenStep Cities 

The City of Falcon Heights participates in the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program. Minnesota GreenStep Cities is a voluntary challenge, assistance and recognition program to help cities achieve their sustainability and quality-of-life goals. This free continuous improvement program, managed by a public-private partnership, is based upon a menu of 29 optional best practices. The City of Falcon Heights has achieved Steps 1-5, and works to maintain Steps 4 and 5 on an annual basis. 

Learn more about the City's GreenStep projects here. 

Charging Smart Bronze Designation

Falcon Heights was among the first cities to receive a Charging Smart designation through the Great Plains Institute, recognizing its preparation and readiness for electric vehicle infrastructure. The Charging Smart program now works with over 100 cities and tribal nations in the region, helping accelerate the pace of electric vehicle adoption and the installation of charging stations and other vital infrastructure.

Want to learn more about EVs? Check out the City's webpage on them.

Make sure your house is lead safe

Lead is a toxic metal that is harmful to humans, especially children under 6 and pregnant or breastfeeding adults. The most common source of lead exposure is paint and dust on windows in homes built before 1978. Any amount of lead exposure is dangerous. If you or someone in your household may have been exposed to lead, contact your healthcare provider.

Lead removal grant: Ramsey County provides grant funding to reduce lead poisoning in children. 

How it works:

• An environmental health specialist tests for sources of lead in your home.
• Windows that test positive for lead-based paint are replaced.
• Other lead hazards found in the home are addressed.
• Grant funds cover 80% of the project cost, homeowner is responsible for remaining 20%.

To learn more about qualifications, and how to clean up sources of lead in your residence, visit this website.

Energy Action Plan

The City of Falcon Heights recently approved its Energy Action Plan developed through Xcel Energy's Partners in Energy program. The Energy Action Plan is now being implemented! Read the executive summary here.

Check out the Energy Action Hub to see how residents and business owners can contribute to the city's goals of greenhouse gas emissions reductions via energy efficiency and renewable energy installations.

 

Climate Action Plan

The City adopted the Falcon Heights Climate Action Plan on May 14, 2025 in partnership with sustainability consultants at paleBLUEdot LLC. This fulfills the commitment made by the City Council in the Climate Crisis resolution and is the next step to addressing climate change at a municipal level. The full plan and more details are available on the Climate Action Plan page.