Green Is The New Clean

Prince George’s County Awarded for Climate and Energy Leadership

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) presented the Climate and Energy Leadership Awards to the Prince George’s County Sustainable Energy Program, GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic, and the Georgetown Climate Center for outstanding efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency, and advance regional goals established by leaders at COG.

The awards were distributed at the October COG Board of Directors Meeting by its Chairman, Loudoun County Supervisor Matt Letourneau, COG Climate, Energy, and Environment Policy Committee Chair and Prince George’s County Council Member Mary Lehman, and COG’s Air and Climate Public Advisory Committee (ACPAC) Chair Dr. Gretchen Goldman. 

“The program this year sought to recognize environmental programs that showed outstanding efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promoted equitable community engagement,” said Lehman in her remarks. “We’re so excited to see how this amazing work continues to help the region meet its climate and energy goals.”  

EV charging and PHEVs at 9400 Peppercorn

For its part, Prince George’s County, Office of Central Services, Sustainable Energy Program and its partners offer a comprehensive set of energy solutions that enhance quality of life and maximize energy savings in the communities it serves. Initiatives include the Transforming Neighborhoods Initiative (TNI) Clean Energy Grant, ENERGY STAR Certification & Green Leasing Grant; Sustainable Energy Workforce training; Green Energy Loan fund; and an energy literacy effort with Prince George’s County Public Schools. Many of these initiatives address the needs of underserved communities and support the county’s economic development priorities. Prince George’s County is the number one producer of solar energy generation in metropolitan Washington and has reduced greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 12 percent since 2005. This year, the county government completed the installation of its largest solar canopy system at the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building in Largo, Maryland. The system generates about 1 MW of clean solar energy, enough electricity to power around 70 average size homes.

Click here for more information about the award recipients and their innovative programs.

The awards were handcrafted by Montgomery County artist Janet Wittenburg, owner of Glass Habitat studio.