Kurt Allemeier
From tune-ups to using outdoor LED lights to turning down the thermostat two degrees in the winter, the Scott County Board of Supervisors heard several ways to go even greener.
Earlier this year, the county, that has a “green team” to consider implementing environmental practices, purchased the first two hybrids to its vehicle fleet.
During a recent committee of the whole meeting, Dave Donovan, director of facility and support services, ran down a checklist of environmental practices provided as part of the Bi-State Regional Commission’s Clean Air Partnership.
Donovan told the board the county is within the acceptable air quality standards, but only barely, so that every little bit helps.
Many of the practices were already in place, Donovan said, adding that others weren’t practical. Here are the practices the board is considering implementing:
- Tune up vehicles every 5,000-10,000 miles, adjust brakes and check tire pressure regularly.
- Practice “right size vehicle” policy of the proper vehicle for the task for which it’s needed.
- Avoid quick starts, excessive idling and maintain a constant speed over the course of a trip.
- Implement anti-idling policy.
- Offer telecommuting and teleconferencing, especially for out-of-county meetings.
- Encourage carpooling with preferential parking spaces. Donovan said this will be implemented at the new consolidated dispatching center and could be added at the county’s downtown campus.
- Encourage biking and walking to work by providing showers and secure bike racks. Donovan told the board bike racks are available and that showers could be made available to employees.
- Offer employee education on smart driving techniques.
- Use LED outdoor lighting.
- Use Energy Star and energy efficient equipment.
- Set thermostat two degrees warmer in the summer and two degrees cooler in the winter. Use timers to turn down heat/air conditioning in the evenings and on weekends. This practice spurred the most discussion from board members who said it is hard to please everyone by doing adusting the thermostat.
- Use low energy mode or shut off electronics when not in use.
- Invest in alternative energy or implement building-level alternative energy. The new dispatching center will have a geothermal heating/air conditioning system.
- Implement a recycling program that incorporates paper, plastic, cardboard, glass and metal. The county already recycles some of these items.
- Reduce mowing times by using native landscaping.
- Purchase non-toxic and water-based office supplies.
- Buy recycled products and choose products with recycled/recyclable packaging.
- Buy products from environmentally responsible companies.
- Use and advocate alternative transportation.
- Reduce energy usage.
How many of these are you doing at home?
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