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Sustainability in America’s Counties

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:

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Sustainability in America’s Counties

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  1. Sustainability in America’s Counties

  2. 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)

  3. What does sustainability mean to America’s Counties?

  4. Hillsborough County, Florida“Good Governance” through Sustainability Old Main Courthouse Building, Downtown Tampa, Florida • 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. County Investment in Sustainability

  10. County Sustainability Staffing Where are Green Efforts Coordinated within County Government?

  11. Benefits toCounty Sustainability Strategies Enhances Citizen Participation Provides Services to County Residents Promotes Partnership with Private Sector Reduces Cost of Running County Government

  12. Barriers to Accomplishing County Sustainability Strategies Expertise Staffing Funding Political and Public Support

  13. NACo Resources Green Counties Landing Page Find a hub for county greening and sustainability best practices, trainings, and funding opportunities. www.naco.org/greencounties Energy Portal Find a hub for education, training, and funding for county energy projects www.naco.org/energy ENERGY STAR Partnership Learn how to promote energy efficiency in America’s counties www.naco.org/energystar Green Case Studies Browse thousands of county greening policies and best practices www.naco.org/greendatabase On Facebook Stay up-to-date on NACo’s green activities via social networking. www.facebook.com/NACoDC County News and E-News Find current and archived articles. www.naco.org/newsroom On You-Tube Watch videos on NACo’s “Green Counties” playlist. www.youtube.com/user/NACoVideo

  14. Jared Lang Program Manager Green Government Initiative National Association of Counties Ph: 202.942.4224 Em: jlang@naco.org

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