Georgia County Government - October 2008 - (Page 121) NACoNews Association Sponsors Two “Green” Competitions N ational Association of Counties (NACo) is helping cou nt ies nationwide go “green” while saving money, assisting the environment and helping promote energ y independence. NACo is sponsoring two national green competitions for county governments currently, with competitions having begun July 1 and extending through November 30, 2008. At the conclusion of the competitions, three winning counties (small, medium, and large) for each campaign will be determined based upon the percent of county residents that participated. Winning counties will receive their recognition and awards at NACo’s 2009 Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. The ENERGY STAR Campaign, formerly known as the Change a Light Campaign, this year continues as counties collect pledges from county employees and residents to not only change a light in their home to an energy-efficient one, but to also choose among other actions they can take to help save energy (such as power managing computers, choosing ENERGY STAR appliances, or properly programming their thermostats). Office Depot will offer each individual who takes the pledge a 10 percent discount on its new Office Depot Green Brand Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs. Three winning counties of this year’s competition will each receive 1,000 free compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) from Office Depot. Under a Drive $marter Challenge, counties are being encouraged to motivate and empower county employees and residents to educate themselves on how to reduce gasoline use by keeping their cars in good working order, driving less, and driving more fuel-efficiently. The Energy Information Administration estimates in 2008 that the average U.S. household will spend about $3,400 on gasoline. Three winning counties will receive 1,000 bottles each of fuel additive/cleaners from AutoZone. Fuel additive/cleaners are products applied to the fuel system to help vehicles be more fuel-efficient. By participating in these competitions, your county will be helping its residents save money and be more environmentally friendly at a time when the economy, rising fuel prices, and the environment are on everyone’s minds. For more information or to register, go to the NACo Green Government page at www.naco.org. ■ Green Government Database Available In early 2008, the NACo Green Government Initiative launched a searchable database of county green programs, policies, plans, staff descriptions and more. Meant to be a comprehensive resource on all things green for counties, NACo continually seeks submissions in any of the green categories (below) from counties throughout the country. To submit your resources, please email them to Kelly Zonderwyk at kzonderwyk@naco.org. Green categories: • Renewable Energy and Green Buildings • Transportation and Alternative Fuels • Land Use • Climate Protection and Air Quality • Water Quality • Purchasing • Waste Management and Recycling To review the “green government” database, go to this link on the Internet: www.naco.org/GreenTemplate.cfm?Section=Green_Government_Database&Template=/cffi les/ggi/green_counties/ggi_search.cfm OCTOBER 2008 www.accg.org 121 http://www.naco.org http://www.naco.org http://www.naco.org/GreenTemplate.cfm?Section=Green_Government_Database&Template=/cffiles/ggi/green_counties/ggi_search.cfm http://www.accg.org
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