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Councilwoman Heydorn proposes task force to find ways to make Summit environmentally friendly
By Rick Armon
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Saturday, Feb 09, 2008
Louise Heydorn wants Summit County to go green.
The county councilwoman has introduced legislation that would establish a Green Policy Task Force to examine everything from how to reduce the county's energy costs to developing ways to reduce the amount of county waste headed to landfills.
The county needs to be environmentally friendly, possibly even giving preference to hiring companies that follow green principles or buying hybrid vehicles, Heydorn said.
She also hopes the task force would create a traveling energy fair, sponsor an annual competition and establish an annual green business conference.
Heydorn said she would like the county to adopt a goal to reduce its energy costs.
Green buildings — those that use less energy and water, and minimize their impact on the environment, for example — can reduce long-term operating and maintenance costs, she said.
She cited the county's desire to make its new animal shelter a green building as a positive step.
Environmental groups applauded Heydorn's proposal.
''County and local governments are in a great position to be laboratories for new, bold thinking,'' said Jack Shaner, director of the Ohio Environmental Council. ''We bet they will find any number of green options that can also grow jobs and protect the taxpayers' pocketbook to boot.''
Green policies are becoming more popular across the country with local governments, said Bill DeMora, head of the Ohio League of Conservation Voters. He noted that the state and the cities of Columbus and Chicago have undertaken similar efforts.
The Summit County task force, made up of at least 10 members, would include representatives from the Summit-Akron Solid Waste Management Authority; Metro Parks, Serving Summit County; utilities; environmental groups; conservation districts; county engineer; county executive; and County Council.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.
Louise Heydorn wants Summit County to go green.
Get the full article here.
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