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October Is Energy Action Month in Montgomery County; Department of Environmental Protection to Host Educational Events Throughout the Month

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Today, County Executive Ike Leggett and the County Council declared October as Energy Action Month. Energy Action Month recognizes the importance of education and collective action to reduce our energy use to save resources and money, and to achieve the County’s goal of reducing 80% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

“Montgomery County is a taking strong action to reduce our energy usage and is committed to reducing energy, building a stronger, greener business economy and working for a healthier environment for future generations,” said Leggett. “Just in the last month, the Department of Permitting Services adopted the International Green Building Code and I signed the Under2 International Memorandum of Understanding to commit to reduce our climate emissions."

First declared in 1991, Energy Action Month (formerly called Energy Awareness Month) also recognizes the work of federal, state and local agencies, utilities and nonprofit partners.

“Reducing energy use and increasing the use of renewable energy are critical to meeting our greenhouse gas reduction goals and to fighting climate change,” said County Council President Roger Berliner. “We must continue to think about how we can save energy in our everyday lives and continue to strive toward further reductions in energy use.”

As part of the Department of Environmental Protection’s celebration of Energy Action Month, they are hosting numerous educational events in October, including:

Energy Exploration Events at Public Libraries

In partnership with the Montgomery County Public Libraries, free Energy Exploration events will be held at five libraries.  Energy Exploration is an interactive experience for all ages and features hands-on arcade games that are fun for the whole family.  Each arcade game highlights a different energy tip, including appliances, HVAC usage, lighting, weatherization, and water usage. Below is a listing of locations:

  • Kensington Park Library: Saturday, October 14, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Pepco Appliance Recycling Event)

  • Damascus Library: Sunday, October 15, from 2 to 4 p.m.

  • Twinbrook Library: Saturday, October 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  • Long Branch Library: Sunday, October 22, from 2 to 4 p.m.

  • Potomac Library: Saturday, October 28, from 11 to 1 p.m.

 

Energy BINGO at County Senior Centers

Energy BINGO games are a fun take on the classic BINGO game. During these free events, Seniors can discover ways to save energy and money, while playing BINGO with friends and neighbors.

  • White Oak Senior Center: Tuesday, October 10 from 1 to 2 p.m.

  • Schweinhaut Senior Center: Wednesday, October 11 from 1 to 2 p.m.

  • Long Branch Senior Center: Monday, October 16 from 11 to noon

  • Holiday Park Senior Center: Monday, October 16 from 1 to 2 p.m.

  • Damascus Senior Center: Wednesday, October 18 from 1 to 2p.m.

In addition to the above events, the My Green Montgomery website and social media pages will focus on providing residents with tips and tricks to save energy in their homes. Below are five energy-savings tips to use in your home this fall are:

  1. Unplug your appliances especially small, countertop appliances. Your appliances cost you money each month if they are sitting on the counter in standby mode.

  2. Clean your air filters. Half your energy bill goes to heating and air conditioning your home, on average. If your units are not running in top form, they’re wasting money and could be impacting your air quality.

  3. Switch to LED light bulbs. They last significantly longer than other light bulbs, for approximately 50,000 hours and don’t contain mercury.

  4. Take five-minute showers. Showers are typically the third largest water use after toilets and clothes washers and the average shower head uses 2.2 gallons of water a minute.

  5. Caulk your windows and doors. Small gaps and cracks around your windows and doors and in your basement and attic can let the air you’re heating or cooling escape. 

For more information on the above tips, Energy Action Month and events, visit www.mygreenmontgomery.org/energy 

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Release ID: 17-439
Media Contact: Judy Stiles 240-777-6536