Montgomery County Climate Action Initiative

Montgomery County Climate Actions, Policies, and Programs 

Montgomery County is taking several steps to address climate change.  Through new policies and programs, Montgomery County is actively reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and developing new programs to encourage energy-efficiency, encourage alternative energy sources, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.  Below is a sample of of recent activities aimed at reducing Montgomery County's impact on climate change.

Policy Initiatives

Council Resolution 14-582

A Resolution by the Montgomery County Council Supporting Participation in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign 

Council Resolution 15-1529 (County Energy Policy)

International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI)

Montgomery County is an active member of Cities for Climate Protection, a global effort coordinated by ICLEI.  Montgomery County has agreed to analyze the greenhouse gas emissions within the county and create an action plan to mitigate them. 

Montgomery County Green Bulding Legislation

Under Green Building Legislation currently before the Montgomery County Council, public buildings and private buildings over 10,000 square feet will be required to achieve a U.S. Green Building Council LEED NC 2.2 Silver rating.   

Montgomery County Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory    

In 2001 Montgomery County analyzed the sources and volume of greenhouse gases emitted by the county government and the public.  However, Montgomery County has grown since 2001, and it is necessary to re-evaluate our local emissions.  DEP's Climate Action Team is currently reviewing local greenhouse gas emissions and will release a new report in 2007.  This report will help Montgomery County Government indentify policies and programs to reduce Montgomery County’s impact on our environment and on climate change. 

Montgomery County Government Operations

Green Power Purchase

In 2004, Montgomery County led a group of local governments and agencies in a wind energy purchase that represents 5 percent of the buying group’s total electricity needs (76,000 MWH over 2 years).  In 2007 and 2008, the group increased its purchase of wind energy 10 percent to 56,000 million MWH annually.

LED Traffic Signal Installation

Montgomery County will replace standard incandescent signal lamps with light-emitting diodes (LED) on 250 intersections throughout the County by 2008.

Low Emission Vehicle Purchase

Since 1995, Montgomery County has purchased 150 Clean Natural Gas (CNG) transit buses, and 14 hybrid transit buses, and 121 ethanol flex fuel vehicles.

Street Tree Planting and Maintenance Program

Montgomery County significantly increased funding to plant and maintain street trees in county-maintained rights-of-way.  Street trees help to absord rainwater from otherwise impervious surfaces, and cycle carbon dioxide out of the air.

For more information on Montgomery County's and DEP's activities, please see the Publications Page of this web site.

Consumer Programs

Clean Energy Rewards

Montgomery County is supporting an innovative program to incentivize clean energy purchased by County residents, small businesses, and other organizations.  The program will reward 1 cent per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to residential end-users, and a 1.5 cents per kWh to non-residential end-users.  The program started January 1, 2007, and can support 31,000 MWH of clean energy.

DEP Energy-Efficiency Workshops

DEP routinely conducts workshops to educate the public on energy-efficiency measures that can be implemented in their homes and businesses. Content ranges from no to low-cost energy savers to comprehensive energy upgrades.  Subscribe to the e-newsletter, Energy InfoWire, to receive energy-efficiency tips and workshop information.  Or, click here for information on the Energy Wise Home.

Montgomery County Shade to Save Program

Montgomery County initiated a program to strategically plant shade trees in multi-family housing communities with little existing canopy coverage and a high volume of impervious surfaces.  Trees help to shade building surfaces (minimizes the "heat island" effect), and air-conditioning units (minimizes additional energy use to cool and condition air).