Environmentalists urge county to begin conservation efforts

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.