Baltimore County environmentalists called on lawmakers Tuesday to study ways the government can reduce wasteful energy consumption in daily functions like heating county office buildings, fueling police cars and lighting traffic signals.
Advocates spoke in favor of creating a “sustainability” task force, proposed by four of the County Council?s seven members. Environmentalists recommend the county buy a hybrid vehicle fleet ? a purchase county officials said is in the works ? expand recycling, and consider geothermal heating and ultraefficient light bulbs for government office buildings.
“We owe nothing less to our children and our grandchildren than taking intelligent, proactive steps to stabilize our greenhouse gas emissions,” said Liz Entwisle, a member of the private Baltimore County Climate Coalition. “While it?s true we need to act nationally, we also need to act locally.”
Neighboring counties including Howard, Anne Arundel and Carroll as well as Baltimore City have set specific greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. About 200 residents signed a petition in October urging Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith to do the same.
They also recommended the county hire a “sustainability director,” which Mayor Sheila Dixon did for the city in July.
A nonbinding resolution asking the county?s planning board to spearhead the study is sponsored by Council Chairman Kevin Kamenetz, a Pikesville Democrat; north county Republican Bryan McIntire; Randallstown Democrat Ken Oliver; and Perry Hall Democrat Vince Gardina.
Gardina, who successfully sponsored legislation awarding tax credits to privately funded energy-efficient buildings, said the government can do more to “think green” in day-to-day functions and publicly funded construction projects.
“We all know how much energy and resources the county government uses,” Gardina said. “I think the sooner we can do this, the better.”
The council will vote on the resolution at its Feb. 4 meeting.
