Lewis and Clark County Energy Conservation Initiatives Tri-County Small Efficiency Grant Program Tri-County Green Business Program Helena Green Drinks Lewis and Clark Green Team Elisa Prescott Lewis & Clark County Sustainability Coordinator Eprescott@lccountymt.gov 406-447-8028
One of my main projects is the Tri-County Green Business Program One of my main projects is the Tri-County Green Business Program. This program aims at helping local business leaders increase their energy efficiency and sustainability efforts. After they’ve written an Environmental Policy Statement and have an energy audit, they can get Green Business Certified. Since I joined the county’s program, we have certified 15 local businesses. With a total of 28 in the Tri-County area. Each business is unique—we have mechanics, restaurants, breweries, print shops—and have found efficiency measures that are unique to their needs. One of our Outstanding Green Certified Businesses is J4 Automotive. They have shown tremendous innovation and turned a notoriously dirty business green.
The green businss program addresses a community need for promoting sustainability and energy education, but I also chair the Lewis & Clark County Green Team to address the day-to-day county operations. The Green Team was started in the Spring of 2010 and since then they have done a lot of great work.
Some accomplishments since I’ve been able to help: -Pushing forward the Environmentally Preferred Purchasing Policy. -Organizing an America Recycles Day Coat Drive. By recycling 10 pounds of clothing we can prevent 35 pounds of CO2 gases from polluting the atmosphere, conserve 7,000 gallons of water, and avoid 3 pounds of fertilizer and 2 pounds of pesticides from being spread of fields that would be used to manufacture new fibers -Implementing used battery recycling in 5 county buildings. The Green Team not only connects staff in various departments, but it engages county commissioners and the general public. It is a way to raise awareness, present efficiency goals in a nonthreatening way and increase stakeholder buy in. This Energy Corps experience has been a great introduction to energy efficiency, outreach strategies, and working with governmental agencies. Thanks for letting me share a bit of my service with you.
Lewis & Clark County Sustainability Coordinator http://www.greenbusinessmt.com/ http://greenteam.lccountymt.gov/ http://www.lccountymt.gov/admin-finance/green-team/sustainability.html Elisa Prescott Lewis & Clark County Sustainability Coordinator Eprescott@lccountymt.gov 406-447-8028