INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — When Indian River County officials decided to go green they didn’t want to settle for the silver – they wanted gold.
“It’s a major milestone for us,” said Indian River County Sustainability Coordinator Himanshu Mehta.
The county started the certification process in February or March 2008, according to Mehta. And when the Florida Green Building Coalition sent the application back in April 2009, the group said the county was only eligible for the silver.
Mehta said the county committee reconvened, went over the coalition’s responses and clarified the issues the group raised.
“We want the gold,” he said of the committee’s desire to address the group’s concerns.
The Florida Green Building Coalition designated Indian River County as a “Green County” after more than a year of finding energy and water efficiencies within the government’s 20 departments.
Mehta said that already some of the county’s buildings are seeing a reduction in their electric and water usage – but how much financial savings that means for the county is unknown.
Mehta explained that while the usage levels are down, the rates have gone up, which makes it difficult to determine how much money, if any, that county has been able to save.
However, he also added that in the long term, the electric and water savings would definitely become financial savings.
“We can do these things and make a difference in the community,” Mehta said, noting that rather than the county government handing down a mandate to the county’s residents and businesses, it could lead by example.
Mehta said that the county settled for attaining the gold level designation instead of the higher platinum level because of budget constraints.
He said that there were costly certifications and such that the county would have had to get in order to qualify for the platinum grade.
For now, he is content with the gold level, using the designation as a way to bring awareness to county employees, residents and businesses alike on how they can become more green – whether in their office, at home, or on the job site.
“It’s a sense of pride,” Mehta said of the recognition.
Along with maintaining the efficiencies the departments have found, Mehta said the county is about to launch a new advertising campaign to promote being green through recycling by asking viewers, “How green are you?”
The next step for the Solid Waste Department is to find a place where it can fly the flag the Florida Green Building Coalition presented to the county earlier this month.
Going Green at a Glance
16% increase in recycling
12% decrease in garbage
100% biodegradable plates, straws, eating utensils in county cafe
IRC Judicial Complex: Cut energy use by 24%, water by 65%;
IRC Sheriff Administration: Cut energy use by 15%, water by 67%
Main Library: Cut energy use by 31%, water by 52%
North County Library: Cut energy use by 5%, water by 67%
How to Go Green at Home, Business
Install low flow toilets, water faucets
Change light fixtures/light bulbs to more energy efficient
Switch from propane to natural gas
Install a solar water heater
Upgrade old appliances with energy efficient models