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Sustainable Economic Growth Through Environmental Initiatives: A Path to Prosperity and Resilience

Explore the potential of integrating local environmental initiatives with economic development strategies. Understand the benefits, costs, and funding sources associated with sustainability efforts. Learn how Rockville and Maryland are leading the way in creating green jobs, reducing greenhouse gases, and promoting energy independence. Discover essential tools and programs for cultivating a sustainable economy, from enterprise funds to volunteer support. Join the discussion on how political directives, community engagement, and innovative solutions can drive economic prosperity while safeguarding the environment.

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Sustainable Economic Growth Through Environmental Initiatives: A Path to Prosperity and Resilience

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  1. Local Environmental Initiatives & the Economy: Complete Chaos or Opportunity?

  2. Unconventional Wisdom

  3. Presentation Preview • Political Leadership Directives • Achieving Substantial Progress Toward these Directives • Costs Avoided and Funding Sources • Rockville-Specific Environmental Initiatives • Qs/ Discussion

  4. Federal Direction • Create 5 Million New Green Jobs by 2019 • EPA - $7.2 Billion (Water, Sewer, Brownfields, & Remediation) • DOE - $32.7 Billion (Efficiency, Renewables, & Weatherization) • COE/DOI - $9 Billion (Navigation, Flood Control, Hydro, Wetlands, Water Systems, Abandoned Mines, Reuse, Stream Gauging, & Fed. Infrastructure, Roads and Bridges

  5. Federal Direction Cont.) • Address Climate Change/Reduce Greenhouse Gases • Become Energy Independent • Undermines National Security • Strains Family Budgets • Cripples the Economy

  6. Maryland Direction • Create 100,000 Green Jobs by 2015 • Restore the Chesapeake Bay • Reduce Greenhouse Gases • Reduce Energy Consumption by 15% by 2015, & Achieve 20% Renewable Energy by 2022 • Build Using Smart, Sustainable, Transit-Oriented Concepts

  7. Rockville Vision • Our Mayor and Council Have Set Following Themes: • Rockville Shall Become a Green City • With a Quality-Built (Energy Efficient) Environment • And a Sustainable Economy

  8. Essential Tools for Cultivating a Sustainable Economy

  9. Essential Tools (Cont.) • Enterprise Funds & Fees • Impervious Surface Fees • Traditional CIP Bonds • Volunteer Professional Help • Purchasing Goods & Services Ks • Prioritizing, Monitoring and Measuring Performance

  10. Rockville’s Environment & Sustainability Initiatives • Dedicated Environmental Staff • 9 Member Resident Environment Commission • City-Wide Sustainability Strategy (2007 Strategic Planning Tool)

  11. Rockville’s Program (Cont.) • Strong Legal & Policy Foundation: • Comprehensive Zoning Update • Water Quality Protection Ordinance • Tree Protection Ordinance • Green Building Code • Stormwater Ordinance

  12. Rockville’s Program (Cont.) • Town Center - Smart Growth Makeover of the City’s Core • Energy Efficiency Upgrades • Nearly $300k in Savings Last 2 Years [HVAC, Lighting, Office Equipment] • Environmental Management System (EMS) for City Facilities

  13. Rockville’s Program (Cont.) • Single-Stream Residential Recycling & Mandatory Commercial & Multi-Family • Wind-Generated Electrical Power • Biofuel Used in all Diesel Vehicles • Upgrade Air Pollution Devices on City Vehicles • LED in all Traffic Signals and Street Light Pilot

  14. Rockville’s Program (Cont.) • Stormwater Program • Stream Buffer Zones: 125-175 feet • Watershed Studies (3) • Stream Restoration Projects • Soil & Erosion Construction Permits • Adopt-A-Stream/Clean Up Events • Capital Program Sewer/Storm Drain Replacement

  15. Rockville’s Program (Cont.) • Stormwater (Continued) • Volunteer Monitoring • Inspection & Maintenance • Rainbarrel Demonstrations • Public Workshops & Rebates • Aggressive FOG and Spill Program

  16. Other Rockville Efforts • Bike Master Plan & Large Bike Trail Network • Backyard Habitat/Community Gardens • Biennial Citizen Survey of Our Performance • Substantial Website Investment • Monthly Newspaper Articles & Cable TV Stories

  17. Funding Sources • Taxes (General Fund) • Grants (Public/Private) • Enterprise Fees: • Development Review/Permits • Stormwater Utility • Refuse (Recycling) Collection • Drinking Water • Sewer Service • Volunteers

  18. Contact Information • Mark Charles, Chief Environmental Management 30 Courthouse Square Rockville, MD 20850-2302 (240) 314-8871 mcharles@rockvillemd.gov www.rockvillemd.gov/environment

  19. Questions & Discussion Qs???

  20. What Does This Direction Mean? • Investments & Improvements in: • Alternative Energy & Conservation Practices • Greenhouse Gas Reductions • Green Zoning and Buildings

  21. What Does This Direction Mean? (Cont.) • Smart Growth and Transit • Recycling and Reuse • Water Quality Protection • Watersheds (Stormwater) • Sources of Drinking Water

  22. What Does This Direction Mean? (Cont.) • Fixing Aging Infrastructure • Substituting a Less Consumptive Way of Doing (Any) Business • Looking at the Whole Cost of Goods and Services – Not Just the Purchase Price (Maintain & Dispose/Reuse Opportunities)

  23. Can You Afford to Wait? • High Electricity & Fuel Prices • Failing Infrastructure • Higher Cost for Purchased Goods • Litter Collection & Refuse Tipping Fees • Further Bay Deterioration & Rising Sea Levels • Emerging Employment Opportunities • Public Support & Consumer Preferences for Green Initiatives & Products

  24. Tools for a Sustainable Economy (Cont.) • Incentives ($$ & Approval Processes) • City and County Code Updates • Focused Information and Networking • Public Outreach & Assistance

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