Proposals for Eco-Friendly Living

County Council member Roger Berliner (D-Potomac-Bethesda) has introduced seven bills aimed at making Montgomery one of the most environmentally friendly counties in the country. Here is a summary of the proposed legislation that will be discussed at a public hearing scheduled for 7:30 p.m. next Thursday at the Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville. For information, visit http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov. Click on the "County Council" link, then on "Legislation and Resolutions," and then "Bills."

¿ Consumer protection-- Bill would require the Office of Consumer Protection to be a more active participant in negotiating the lowest rates for consumers by participating in matters pending before appropriate federal and state agencies. The office would be encouraged to keep environmental stewardship in mind in its discussions.

¿ Planning procedures-- Bill would require the county Planning Board to assess a planned development's potential impact on greenhouse gas emissions and consider options for reducing emissions.

¿ Renewable energy-- Bill would require the Department of Environmental Protection to develop a Renewable Energy Action Plan, identifying ways to increase the use of renewable energy in and by the county. It would also create property tax credits for the installation of certain renewable-energy devices and seeks to prohibit the enforcement of certain restrictions relating to such devices.

¿ Environmental sustainability-- Bill has many components. Among them, it would establish goals to reduce countywide greenhouse gas emissions. It also asks county officials to explore the possibility of converting the fuel energy tax to a carbon tax. This could mean that those who use "green" sources of energy receive tax breaks. The measure also directs county officials to explore whether the county should join a cap-and-trade program, which could include the buying and selling of carbon offsets.

¿ Real property energy performance audits-- Bill would require that an energy audit be conducted as part of the home inspection process when a single-family residence is sold. The buyer would pay for the audit unless otherwise negotiated.

¿ Building energy efficiency-- Bill would require certain commercial, and multi-and single-family residential buildings to meet Energy Star standards. It would also require that officials develop an energy savings plan for each county building.

¿ Environmental sustainability, climate protection, motor vehicles-- Bill would require several new strategies related to reducing emissions from vehicles by encouraging the use of biodiesel fuel and establishing fuel-efficiency standards in the county fleet. It also requires officials to develop a telecommuting action plan for county workers and to explore the costs and benefits of creating a car-share program.