The Arizona Republic
You just launched Phase 3 of your Green Government project. What did the first two phases do?
It was a learning effort for a couple of years. The first two phases empowered 53 county departments to tackle the low-hanging fruit and taught us that conservation, recycling and smart energy use make economic sense. We tried out different ideas and policies, abandoned some, and evaluated our existing policies. The green that this program supports saves money, $2 million in energy costs alone. It is important
to remember sustainability is as much about economics as it is the environment. They are not mutually exclusive.
What’s included in the third phase?
The third phase shows our progress over the past several years and ups the ante on what we would like to complete in the future. We would like to install even more solar and enable better commute options, for example. All of our progress can be reviewed online at www.mygreengovernment.com.
What does the average county resident get from this?
They get a culture that simultaneously spurs economic growth and respects our beautiful Sonoran desert. They get lower taxes through our ability to shave $2 million off our energy bill, reduce our water consumption and build high-performance buildings that will last longer than conventional buildings.
Continued: http://www.azcentral.com/opinions/free/20130531inside-mind-jonce-walker.html
Also: Environmentalists’ Complaint Exposes Rift Between ‘Green’ Certification Groups/The New York Times
