Albemarle County has received a platinum level certification in the 2016 Green Government Challenge, which is part of the Virginia Municipal League’s (VML) larger Go Green Virginia environmental initiative that kicked off in late 2007. This is the ninth year that Albemarle County has received a certification from VML’s Green Government Challenge.
The Green Government Challenge is a friendly competition among local governments to encourage the implementation of specific environmental policies and practical actions that reduce carbon emissions generated by both the local government and broader community. Cities, towns and counties can become a certified “Green Government.”
Local governments earned “green points” by implementing or adopting up to 55 action items divided into 11 categories ranging from renewable energy and waste management to employee incentives and innovation. The County earned a platinum level certification with a total of 180 “green points” in areas such as energy efficiency, land use/transportation, environmental stewardship, and community involvement. Included in the County’s total of earned points were 25 “innovation credits” for initiatives such as the County’s support of the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP), the implementation of an Integrated Pest Management program to reduce chemical use, the introduction of a paper recycling program, and the expanded Rt. 29 bus service to a major residential and commercial area not previously served by public transportation.
The certificate was awarded as part of VML’s annual conference, which was held in October 2016 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Albemarle County’s Environmental Management Manager, Andy Lowe, was recognized by the Board of Supervisors for this accomplishment during their Board meeting on Wednesday, February 1, 2017.
