For Immediate Release: Monday, May 1, 2006
From the Office of Council President George Leventhal
100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850 240-777-7811
county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov
Think Globally, Act Locally…
To Stop Global Warming
The threat of global warming is probably the most crucial challenge facing our generation. With our help and support, Montgomery County can do its part to meet that challenge.
• Quadruple County Government’s Buying of Renewable Power…
Three years ago, I sponsored a resolution requiring the County government to procure five percent of its energy from clean, renewable sources. On April 25, I introduced a measure that would boost that percentage to 20 percent over the next five years. Already the County is the largest public purchaser of clean energy east of the Mississippi River.
• Make Sure New Construction Meets Green Standards…
In addition, I have introduced a bill that would require all new non-residential and multi-family construction in Montgomery County that exceeds 10,000 square feet to meet minimum “Green Buildings” standards, called LEED points.
The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System was developed by the United State Green Buildings Council . It identifies criteria including sustainability of a site, water efficiency, energy efficiency, building materials , and indoor environmental quality.
• And more…
Two years ago, I won passage of a Clean Energy Rewards program, the first in the USA. Starting in July, those who sign up to get energy from renewable sources thru their utility get a rebate of County energy taxes.
County residents who use clean, renewable energy reduce air and water pollution, help conserve fossil fuels and combat global warming. They pay about two-and-a-half cents more per kilowatt hour over standard rates and they pay the County’s energy tax. This program would give them about half a cent per kilowatt hour back -- the equivalent of the County’s energy tax.
The estimate is that 2000 to 3000 County residents could be eligible for the awards program and would receive either a direct County payment of up to $60 per year or the same amount credited against their utility bills. Wind power, energy from landfill gas, and solar energy are among the energy sources that would be eligible for the rewards program.
How can you sign up to receive renewable energy at home? Contact:
PEPCO Energy Services www.pepcoenergy.com; Washington Gas Energy Services
www.wges.com; or The Clean Energy Partnership 301-754-0430
www.cleanenergypartnership.org
• What can you do to think globally and act locally for clean energy and against global warming?
1. Contact the County Council at county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov to urge support among the nine-member Council for legislation to increase the County’s buying of renewable energy to 20 percent and to support Green Buildings standards for new construction.
2. Sign up to receive your energy from renewable sources by contacting the companies listed above.
3. Register to vote for the September 12 party primaries and the November 7 general election. Call 240-777-8500 or www.777vote.org.
4. Support construction of a Purple Line Metro, running from Bethesda to Silver Spring and on to the University campus at College Park.
Together, we can make a difference!