Sustainability in America’s Counties
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Jared Lang Program Manager NACo Green Government Sustainability in America’s Counties
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Sustainability in America’s Counties. Sustainability in America’s Counties. 3,068 Counties in the United States Large Counties: 129 ( > 500,000 Pop.) Medium-sized Counties: 960 (250,000 to 50,000 Pop.) Small Counties: 1,979 ( < 50,000 Pop.) “Sweet Spot” for County Sustainability Work: - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Sustainability in America’s Counties
Jared LangProgram ManagerNACo Green Government
Sustainability in America’s Counties
Sustainability in America’s Counties
3,068 Counties in the United States
Large Counties: 129 (> 500,000 Pop.)
Medium-sized Counties: 960 (250,000 to 50,000 Pop.)
Small Counties: 1,979 (< 50,000 Pop.)
“Sweet Spot” for County Sustainability Work: > 250,000 Pop. (250 Counties)
What does sustainability mean to America’s
Counties?
Hillsborough County, Florida“Good Governance” through Sustainability
Largest of its kind in an urban downtown area in the nation
Generates $60,500 annually in energy costs
Approximately 40 percent of the building’s energy load
Old Main Courthouse Building, Downtown Tampa, Florida
Frederick County, Maryland Community-wide Engagement:
Incentives and Challenges
Green Home Challenge
Encouraging Community Energy Efficiency through Residential Challenge
$840,000 program
3-part Challenge
Power Saver Certification Green Your Lifestyle, Enhance Your Health! Renewing Your Power
Website: http://www.frederickcountymd.gov/index.aspx?NID=3531
Boulder County, ColoradoCounties Creating Jobs: Youth Energy Corps
An Energy Corps staff member reviews an energy assessment with a homeowner.
An Energy Corps staff member installs a low-flow showerhead.
Young adults earn job skills by performing energy assessments on residential homes Project cost $95,000 Staff completed 384 home audits and retrofits
County Economic Development and Sustainability
Growing the Green Economy: Attracting and growing businesses that produce positive impacts on the environment.
Green Economic Development • Growing existing businesses• Attracting new businesses• Green Jobs Training
Resources Efficiency and Purchasing• Building Efficiency• Fleet Management
Local Production• Energy • Food
Waste Management• Composting• Recycling• Landfill gas to energy
Green Infrastructure• Water filtration• Air purification
2010 Sustainability Survey Overview
Surveyed 3,068 counties
750 responses
578 separate counties
Almost 20% of America’s Counties
Performed analyses by population, geographic location, and climate
County Investment in Sustainability
County Sustainability Staffing
Where are Green Efforts Coordinated within County Government?
Benefits toCounty Sustainability Strategies
Enhances Citizen Participation
Provides Services to County Residents
Promotes Partnership with Private Sector
Reduces Cost of Running County Government
Barriers to Accomplishing County Sustainability Strategies
Expertise
Staffing
Funding
Political and Public Support
NACo Resources
Green Counties Landing PageFind a hub for county greening andsustainability best practices, trainings,and funding opportunities.www.naco.org/greencounties
Energy PortalFind a hub for education, training, andfunding for county energy projectswww.naco.org/energy
ENERGY STAR PartnershipLearn how to promote energyefficiency in America’s countieswww.naco.org/energystar
Green Case Studies
Browse thousands of county greeningpolicies and best practiceswww.naco.org/greendatabaseOn FacebookStay up-to-date on NACo’s greenactivities via social networking.www.facebook.com/NACoDC
County News and E-NewsFind current and archived articles.www.naco.org/newsroom
On You-TubeWatch videos on NACo’s “GreenCounties” playlist.www.youtube.com/user/NACoVideo
Jared LangProgram Manager
Green Government InitiativeNational Association of Counties
Ph: 202.942.4224Em: [email protected]
