Message From County Executive Paul G. Clark
Dear Friends,
Environmental stewardship and sustainability is a priority for New Castle County. We maintain this goal in several ways: decreasing energy use, preserving open space, creating walkable communities, and developing a green economy. These goals are interrelated, and achieving them is important for New Castle County to remain a great community. They will help residents save money on utility bills, provide jobs, and improve health and quality of life.
New Castle County has taken the lead by going green in its own operations. Through Phase I and II of the New Castle County Smart Energy Program, we have made energy saving improvements to 21 county facilities, providing $800,000 in utility savings annually - a real savings for tax payers. These energy conservation and renewable energy improvements have helped us to reduce our CO2 emissions by 14 million pounds, the equivalent of taking 1,220 polluting cars off of our roads.
Through other initiatives, such as recycling everyday products in our buildings, developing solar arrays on county-owned lands, and using mulch in our parks made from yard waste received at the landfill, New Castle County continues to seek out ways to lessen our impact on the environment. We have supported redeveloping brownfields and existing properties to preserve open space, and are creating transit-oriented walkable communities.
Sustainability is great for our local economy as well. Delaware has become a hub for green businesses, including solar manufacturers, vehicle makers, green chemistry, efficient building materials, and other businesses that use and make recycled and sustainable products. We are proud to support the efforts of Governor Jack Markell, the Delaware Economic Development Office and Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to promote the green economy.
On this page you will find information regarding New Castle County's efforts to be more energy efficient, and resources to help you and your family to go green.
Sincerely,
Paul G. Clark
County Executive