DuPage County to Join National Effort to Improve Air Quality

Good call by the DuPage County Board.  It is important to give credit when credit is due. 

PRESS RELEASE

Contact Information: Johnna Kelly 630-407-6022

Thursday, September 13, 2012

DuPage Becomes First County in Illinois to Join National Effort to Improve Regional Air Quality

On Tuesday the DuPage County Board adopted a resolution stating it will participate in the Sierra Club’s Cool Counties initiative committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.

“DuPage County has long been a leader in environmental practices,” said Jeff Redick, chairman of the Environmental Committee. “The passage of this resolution cements the County’s commitment to common sense environmental policies that benefit the environment and provide much needed budget relief for County taxpayers.”

Through the Cool Counties initiative, DuPage County has committed to:

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout the county by 10 percent below the 2007 base level by 2020 and reduce by 20 percent by 2030;
• Continuing its efforts to lower the County’s campus-wide energy consumption;
• Forming an energy efficiency partnership with government and corporate partners; and

While the County Board is formally supporting the effort led by the Sierra Club, DuPage has made energy efficiency a priority for the past five years. For example, the County has reduced energy consumption by nearly 2 million kwh a year saving taxpayers more than $142,000 annually; and saved commuters nearly 460,000 gallons of fuel and approximately $1.7 million by implementing a traffic signal coordination program.

The County’s efforts have resulted in DuPage receiving the Governor’s Sustainability Award in 2011. It is the only county to receive the award.

The Illinois Sierra Club supports the County’s decision to join the nationwide effort to reduce energy consumption.   

“DuPage County is joining the state and county-wide network of Cool Cities created by mayors and Sierra Club members to improve energy efficiency and conservation, save tax payers’ money and reduce greenhouse gases. DuPage is the first county in Illinois to adopt the Illinois Cool Counties approach to sustainability and is setting an example for all to follow,” said Lonnie Morris of the Illinois Sierra Club.