Are you an environmentally conscious individual who is looking to live in a home in Montgomery County? If so, you will be very pleased to know that that
Montgomery County Clean Energy Purchase has catapulted the county into being one of the largest green power purchasers in the nation. The county is trying to be a leader in the fight against global warming; it is trying to make a difference with the acquisition of clean energy in order to cut the greenhouse gas production. The County has currently increased its green power purchase to 161 million kilowatt – hours. This has aided in making Montgomery County number 4 on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) top 20 list of local governments list , and on November 22nd the county was actually ranked on the Nations top 50 list. Another interesting fact to note about Montgomery County is that it recently increased its purchase of green energy to 30% of its electrical use, which is well beyond the original goal for 2010 of 20%.
By the year 2050 Montgomery County would like to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 80 %. This is why the purchase of green power is so important to this county. Montgomery County Council member George Leventhal has helped to establish the Clean Energy Rewards Program which will provide rebates to residents and businesses alike that decide to purchase clean energy. He has also helped to establish the County’s Green Buildings legislation, which helps the environment by requiring privately constructed buildings over 10,000 SF to be LEED Certified. It will also require county constructed buildings to have a LEED certification rating of at least silver.
Currently the Montgomery County Clean Energy Buyers group is made up of Montgomery County Government, Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery County College and the Maryland National Park and Planning Commission. Other groups that are participating in this endeavor include the City of College Park, Chevy Chase Village, Chevy Chase Village section 5, City of Gaithersburg, City of Rockville, City of Takoma Park, the Town of Glen Echo, Town of Kensington, the Town of Laytonsville and finally the Town of Somerset.
Posted by: Editor
Categories:
