Montgomery County’s Green Government Report Confirms Sustainable Operations are Strong Across County Departments

Montgomery County Maryland sent this bulletin at 05/03/2018 12:35 PM EDT
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For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 3, 2018 

Montgomery County’s Green Government Report Confirms Sustainable Operations are Strong Across County Departments 

Montgomery County’s Department of General Services (DGS) has published the fiscal year (FY) 2017 Montgomery County Green Government Report. This report, released each FY, documents the County’s progress with energy efficiency, green buildings, smart growth, water conservation, biodiversity, waste reduction, green transportation, renewable resources and resiliency.  

“Achieving and maintaining healthy and sustainable communities for all County residents, businesses, and visitors is one of my highest priorities,” said County Executive Ike Leggett. “During my 12 years as County Executive, Montgomery County has advanced approaches to ‘greening’ government operations because it is the right thing to do for our residents and future generations.” 

This report highlights the progress and accomplishments of Montgomery County’s green government initiatives through FY 17, which include:   

  • Achieving carbon neutrality for government facilities and fleet operations. Continuing this path is expected to save $70 million over the next 20 years through energy-efficiency improvements, negotiations with energy suppliers, and solar energy generation on County facilities.  
  • The County is on track to reach its goal to install six megawatts of solar projects on County facilities by the end of 2018. Through the end of FY 17, the County installed 5.3 megawatts of solar and installation of an additional 5.7 megawatts of solar is underway. 
  • The County increased waste reduction efforts. Through its print management system and efforts to move permit applications and other paper forms to digital processes, the County saved approximately 6.7 million sheets of paper or nearly 1,000 trees, a 52% increase in paper saved over the previous year. The County also continues to recycle all end-of-life computer equipment and mobile phones and other electronic devices. 
  • The County purchased $6 million of products containing recycled materials, an increase of 40 percent from FY16.  
  • In the last three years, the County has reduced its fleet fuel consumption by 7.4 percent saving nearly 400,000 gallons of fuel, which eased traffic congestion and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Expanded telework options for County employees, improved bicycle routes and infrastructure, and encouraged greater use of public transit by introducing Ride On Extra express routes with WIFI and other amenities to urge alternative commuting options other than driving automobiles.   

“DGS sets the highest standards for sustainability, launches innovative initiatives to reduce costs, uses renewable energy, conserves energy in our buildings and fleet, and plans sustainable strategies for our future,” said Director of General Services David Dise. “Sustainability is core to our fleet management, facilities maintenance, print management, and building construction. We apply stringent standards to ensure we meet sustainability goals across DGS’s operations and support our partners in improving the sustainability of their work.”  

All County departments and agencies play a significant role in greening County government, with the DGS Office of Energy and Sustainability as the hub for these efforts. OES is managed by Eric Coffman who was named to the Energy Manager Today 75 list on May 1. The list, selected by the Editorial and Management team at Business Sector Media, recognizes the nation’s top 75 executives in energy management.  

For more details, or to review the report go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dgs-oes. 

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Media Contact: Judy Stiles 240-777-6536