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April 19, 2024
Bi-Weekly Executive Newsletter
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It’s been 54 years since the first Earth Day was held in the United States, driving awareness and activism around the damage caused by air and water pollution.
Back then, it was oil spills, rivers on fire, toxic dumps and belching industrial smokestacks that mobilized a generation to action and the response was dramatic.
The Environmental Protection Agency was launched, and the Clean Air and Water acts were passed in the months and years following.
A half-century later, the environment is still in danger from increasing emissions resulting in climate change. And we all still have a role to play in protecting the planet for the next generations.
In Oakland County, we’re doing our part to help ensure clean and safe drinking water for our residents, invest in green spaces, reduce carbon emissions, and help our communities install the infrastructure needed to meet the future of mobility head-on.
Here are some more specifics:
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By transitioning our fleet to some more fuel-efficient vehicles, including some EVs, we saved 123,379 gallons of fuel in 2023.
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We’re installing electric vehicle chargers across the county government campus.
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We have invested $14 million to help our communities invest in improvements to their water systems.
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We provided $20 million in grants to improve and expand dozens of parks across Oakland County.
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We are planting 495 more trees this spring season, which helps reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, filter pollution in the air, provide shade and give a home to wildlife.
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We provided $5 million in grants to more than 1,100 people this year to help make energy-efficient improvements in their homes. The $5 million grants were spoken for in less than a week and are now helping produce savings in monthly utility bills for our residents.
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We’ve installed the first array of solar panels on the county campus at a building that houses the Sheriff Office’s Evidence room.
These initiatives help us meet one of our eight strategic goals: championing environmental sustainability that will help us reduce our carbon footprint and reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
I have faith that this goal is achievable and we’ll be able to pass a cleaner environment to future generations. On Earth Day, and frankly every day, let’s redouble our efforts to make it happen.
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With gratitude,
Dave Coulter
Oakland County Executive
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2023 Economic Outlook Luncheon
Register for the 39th Oakland County Economic Outlook Luncheon
On Wednesday, May 8 at the Suburban Showplace, join County Executive Dave Coulter, Deputy County Executive Sean Carlson and University of Michigan Economist Dr. Gabriel Ehrlich for the annual Economic Outlook luncheon, which will provide a breakdown of the county’s economic health and the drivers of business expansion and development.
This is a must-see event for business owners, economic advisors, policy analysts and industry leaders.
General admission is $75, or you can purchase a table of 10 for $700. Registration closes Wednesday, May 1 at noon. Click the button below to purchase tickets.
SMART Route 492 Connecting Residents and Visitors to Key Employment and Educational Centers
Oakland County transit options continue to expand with the launch of the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation’s (SMART) Route 492, which will enable commuters to travel seamlessly from the State Fair Transit Center in Detroit, through bustling business districts in Troy and Rochester, to the educational hub surrounding Oakland University.
Voters who overwhelmingly approved Oakland County’s transportation millage in 2022 made this new fixed route possible.
“This new route is another step toward providing convenient and reliable transportation options for our residents,” County Executive Dave Coulter said. “I’m thrilled to broaden access to educational and employment opportunities in all corners of the county and promote economic growth for our people and businesses.”
Oakland County Household Hazardous Waste Dropoff Events Promote Environmental Stewardship and Safeguard Communities
NoHaz, a consortium of communities in northern Oakland County for disposing household hazardous waste, has scheduled four collection events April through September, giving residents of these communities convenient opportunities to get rid of everything from outdated computers and dead batteries to paints, pesticides and more.
All 2024 NoHaz collection events run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following Saturdays:
- April 27, Oakland County Service Center Campus, 1200 North Telegraph Road., Pontiac
- June 1, Oxford Middle School, 1420 Lakeville Road, Oxford
- July 20, Kensington Church, 4640 S. Lapeer Road, Orion Township
- Sept. 14, Oakland County Service Center Campus, 1200 North Telegraph Road, Pontiac
Registration opens approximately three weeks prior to each collection event at NoHaz.com. Those unable to register online will be able to complete forms at the collection events.
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