Are You...? - Government Official

Community sustainability is a growing concern for voters and homes that use less energy have less of an impact on the environment in which we all live. Much of our electricity, still produced by coal burning power plants, emits carbon and mercury that add to Global Warming and health hazards for everyone.

Governments on all levels are looking to cut expenses. One of the quickest ways to cut is by reducing energy consumption. Lowering thermostats in the winter and raising them in the summer can save thousands of dollars. Using compact fluorescent bulbs and turning off lights and equipment during off-hours is another easy way to help the budget. Saving energy is much easier than getting the public’s permission to build another power plant.

Better built homes are an asset for the tax base. As energy prices keep rising, more and more voters are looking for homes that can save them money on a monthly basis.

A major source of landfill usage is from building waste. Implementing policies on building practices can greatly extend the life of the community’s landfill. Expanding or establishing a new landfill is expensive and time-consuming as no voter wants the landfill in their backyard.

Better use of land through zoning. Bringing residential living back to the center of your city will lower traffic levels, raise the tax base, and bring a sense of community. Continuous sprawl requires more streets, electrical lines, sewer lines, and services spread out over an ever-expanding community landscape.