Winds of change

County shifting to alternative energy

BY PETE DELEA

Montgomery County plans to purchase wind power in an attempt to clean up the air.

Councilmember George Leventhal (D-At large) introduced a resolution to amend the county's energy policy by expanding options for electricity and promoting energy conservation.

"We are under the gun to comply with the Clean Air Act," said Leventhal. "If we are not able to reduce the amount of pollutants that are emitted into the air, we could lose all our federal transportation funds in 2004."

The resolution, which has unanimous support of the council and backing by County Executive Doug Duncan, calls for the county to purchase electricity from alternative sources, establish a countywide conservation program and audit government offices to identify potential savings.

The county plans to purchase at least 5 percent of the total annual electricity supply from clean, renewable sources such as wind and solar power. Leventhal said that varying the sources of electricity is one of many ways the county can reduce air pollution. Leventhal believes that wind power should be on the top of the county's list of priorities. The resolution states that wind energy must be purchased from sites that meet the safety requirements for migratory birds based on the guidelines of the National Wind Coordinating Committee.

Mike Tidwell, director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, said that this should only be the beginning, and more needs to be done to make an impact.

"It's a historic step but it's not going to effect our air quality," said Tidwell.

He said that the council has good intentions, but more needs to be done on the federal and state levels. "A goal for the state should be purchasing 50 percent from clean, renewable energy," said Tidwell.

He said that the council is being put in a jam by the federal government because they are doing nothing to make air cleaner by promoting fuel-efficient vehicles.

"We can't control gas-guzzling SUVs that travel through our county," said Tidwell.

Several council members agree that there are many things that can be done on the federal and state levels, but they feel promoting clean air and energy conservation can start in the county.

Under the resolution, the county also plans to hire outside energy experts to audit three county buildings and establish an "Energy Wise Offices" program to promote energy conservation. The program will focus on educating county employees and providing individual departments with annual electricity usage and cost reports.

The program also calls for county employees to turn off lights in unoccupied areas and shut down equipment overnight and on weekends.

Councilmemebr Tom Perez (D-Dist. 5) said that the community could help out by also carrying out these actions.

"We have a Clean Air Act challenge," said Perez. "Residents should look for ways to conserve and be energy efficient. It's time to think globally, act locally."

NOTICE: There will be a public hearing on the alternative energy resolution on March 4, 2003 at 1:30 p.m. at the county municipal building in Rockville.