Government/Municipal

1. Make Public Buildings Green

Consider requiring energy conservation materials and Green Building architecture to be incorporated in all public buildings. Seek to obtain Energy Star rating for public buildings. Perform Energy Audits on all public buildings to determine where energy savings can occur. Go to the following Web sites for more information:

EPA Green Building
Energy Star
U.S. Green Building Council

2. Green your Fleet Operations

Consider the use of alternative fuel vehicles or hybrids when budgeting for the replacement of municipal fleets. Go to the following Web sites for more information:

Dep of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - Fuel Economy
Sustainable Green Fleets
Mass Climate Action Network
Dep of Energy - Alt Fuels & Advanced Vehicles

3. Adopt Green Regulations

Consider adopting energy conservation (ENERGY STAR) standards into building codes and zoning ordinances for application to all new construction. To read about how West Chester adoped an ENERGY STAR ordinance for its new commercial buildings, see this press release:

Here are some initiatives other local municipalities are taking:

Doylestown Borough

With its "Green Points" building permit program, Doylestown offers financial incentives to builders who make efforts to conserve fossil fuels, water and other natural resources; reuse and recycle construction materials; and reduce solid waste.

Click on "Green Points Info" and "Green Points Worksheet" at the bottom of this page:

http://www.marpletwp.com/index.html

Media Borough

Media has committed to becoming a "Clean Energy Community" by the year 2010, purchases clean electricity, and has installed at least 7 solar panels on municipal buildings.

http://www.mediaborough.com/departments/pw_environmental.asp

Haverford

Haverford has taken an inventory of its greenhouse gas emissions and is creating its own Climate Action Plan.

http://209.43.125.155/egov/docs/1208528514_638061.pdf

Go to the following Web sites for more information:

Energy Star - New Building Design
Construction WebLinks - Green Building
Smart Communities Network - Green Buildings
Energy Builder - Builders, Consumers & Realtor' Primer
U.S. Green Building Council

4. Teach Green

Serve as the leader in getting the word out about energy conservation. Go to the following Web sites for more information:

ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability
BuildingGreen.com
U.S. Green Building Council