The Green Government Challenge is a friendly competition designed to encourage implementation of specific environmental policies and practical actions that reduce the carbon emissions generated by both the local government and the broader community. Cities, towns and counties can become a certified "Green Government." Many of these actions can save local governments money. To view the Challenge, click here.
How to participate
Participating in the Green Government Challenge is easy.
Local governments must register to participate. To do so, you will need a Green Key. To obtain this unique password, click on the name of your locality and submit an email address using the form at the bottom of this page. Once you have received your Green Key via email, return to this page, click on the name of your locality and enter your Green Key to register.
Once registered, look over the Challenge to get familiar with its 11 categories and 30 action items. The Challenge score sheet includes helpful links to detailed explanations and examples of each of the 30 action items that can be implemented in your community.
Start completing the Challenge and earn "green points" by implementing new actions and adopting new policies that will increase your total score. Amassing between 100 and 124 "green points" out of a possible 200 will earn certification as a "Green Government." In addition, local governments could earn Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels of certification for scores of 125 points or higher.
Complete the VML Green Government Challenge and take the environmentally friendly step of submitting it online by Sept. 19, 2014, for validation.
To complete the VACo Green Government Challenge dowload, print, and fill out this file click here. Submit the completed challenge to Larry Land at email@example.com by Oct. 10, 2014.
Replace incandescent lights with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) for desk lamps and overhead lighting. Using CFLs instead of comparable incandescent bulbs can save about 50 percent on your lighting costs. CFLs use only one-fourth the energy and last up to 10 times longer.