PRINCE WILLIAM, Va. -- An effort to bring environmentally sound policies to Prince William's government has progressed well in the past year. Now, plans are to look to the state and see what local ordinances can be put in place to build green, renovate green and reduce the county's carbon footprint.
"We'll be sorting through that with Mr. [Dana] Fenton [the county's legislative director] to see what is authorized by the state … to adopt into ordinances," said Tom Bruun of the county's Public Works department, referring to future policies that the Board of Supervisors ought to consider to advance the county's Green Initiative.
Some of those recommendations: Policies that guide construction and renovation projects to ensure they are completed in a manner that doesn't destroy or damage the environment; energy efficiency standards for all county buildings; new "dark sky" rules that minimize the use of lights; the development of carbon footprint reduction goals based on state or federal standards; and the phasing in of a new "green fleet" that runs on clean fuel.
"Do we need to purchase different vehicles in our fleet? Perhaps at some point, we should consider adopting a goal to reduce our carbon footprint," Bruun told supervisors during a recent board meeting at the McCoart Administration Building. "Other communities have done that … and we will be coming back to you with a recommendation."
Bruun said cost efficiency is a concern, and that all county decisions on whether to implement certain green policies should first look to the dollars and cents.
"We should decide where we can really save the money by being greener," he said.
Vice chairman Mike May, R-Occoquan, expressed interest in the fleet replacement idea and questioned its feasibility. Bruun said the option is being vetted and a green fleet run by clean fuel -- such as methane gas produced at the landfill -- is an eventual possibility.
Staff writer Cheryl Chumley can be reached at 703-670-1907.
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