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Sustainability article:
DeKalb Named Green Community
January 22, 2010
Source: Community Partnership Update/February 2010
 Recently, the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) certified DeKalb County as a Green Community for its leadership in reducing their environmental impact. The county earned its certification by implementing sustainability practices and policies in 10 categories, ranging from energy efficiency and green building to transportation and water efficiency.
What's so green about DeKalb? The county's Gregory A. Adams Juvenile Courthouse is LEED certified by the U.S. Green Building Council and has an ENERGY STAR rated cool roof. Furthermore, energy performance contracts on more than 150 government facilities have reduced costs by about $1.5 million annually. The county's lights out/power down policy ensures all non-emergency building lighting and electronic equipment are turned off when not in use. Its Green Energy Facility at Seminole Road Landfill generates 3.2 megawatts of electricity from captured methane gas. DeKalb became the first jurisdiction in the state to adopt an ordinance that requires structures built prior to 1993 to replace inefficient plumbing fixtures with low-flow plumbing fixtures prior to obtaining new water service after the sale of a property.
DeKalb County wasn't alone in receiving the Green Community certification. Douglas County, the cities of Atlanta, Fairburn, Roswell and Suwanee were also recognized. The ARC launched the Green Communities program in 2009 to foster greater environmental stewardship by recognizing local governments that invest in programs leading to a more sustainable Atlanta region. These six jurisdictions bring the total number of certified Green Communities in the 10-county Atlanta region to nine, including the City of Decatur.
Rebate Program Restored
Georgia's Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate program returns on Feb. 12; the program provides Georgians with rebates ranging from $25 to $199 on ENERGY STAR rated appliances. Machines eligible for the program include clothes washers, dishwashers, air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, boilers, water heaters, refrigerators and freezers. Purchases made before Feb. 12 will not qualify for a rebate. The maximum rebate limit per household is $1,200. Visit www.GeorgiaRebate.com for details.
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