County receives award for Green Leadership

Oakland County is one of only seven local governments to attain the gold award in the Michigan Municipal League's (MML) recently expanded Michigan Green Communities Challenge, which measures progress in implementing energy, economic development, and environmental improvements. "For Oakland County, being 'green' is about implementing energy efficiencies that save taxpayers money and maintaining green space and a clean environment so our residents can enjoy an active lifestyle and a quality of life that is second to none," Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said. Among recent Patterson initiatives that have garnered national attention include opening the nation's first LEED gold certified general aviation airport terminal in 2011; implementing energy efficiencies in government campus buildings that have saved taxpayers nearly $5 million in utility costs under his OakGreen program; and being among three counties last year to receive the National Green Infrastructure Implementation Award. The Michigan Green Communities Challenge uses a rating system to recognize sustainability accomplishments and serves as a guide for community leaders looking to learn from their peers, the MML said. It was launched in 2009 and emphasized energy efficiency projects in an effort to help local governments make the best use of their Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants. Over the last year, the program was expanded to reflect broader topics such as green economic development, resource conservation, and water quality. For additional information about the challenge, go to MML.org/green. To learn more about the county's green initiatives, go to OakGov.com/OakGreen. Published: Fri, Nov 16, 2012

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