Green Government

The Mayor's Green Team (MGT) is made up of representatives from various County of Hawaii Agencies and Departments to assess and identify opportunities for internal cost savings that improves social and environmental stewardship.  At the 2011 State of the County Address, Mayor Billy Kenoi announced July 2011 release of Vision 20/15 - Green Government Action Plan.  The policy and project implementation recommendations set a path to improve county resource use and reduce pollution by 20 percent by 2015.

•  Vision 20/15 Green Government Action Plan
  

The preliminary recommendation identifies more than $34 million in potential savings in ten years (after return-on-investment) from energy conservation and efficiency, renewable energy, and waste reduction.  The final recommendation integrates foundational research and findings conducted by the green team members, students, and consultants - listed below: 

County of Hawaii Sustainability Policy and Educational Materials

• Hawaii County Sustainability Resolution - County Council formalized the green team and adopted a science based sustainability framework and principles on November 9th 2009. 
  
• Hawaii Sustainability Primer - Primer explains the science based framework and principles of Hawaii County Sustainability Resolution with examples of local case studies.  

Organizational Sustainability Assessments

• NEW! Government Operation Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) Inventory - The first municipal level GHG inventory in the State of Hawaii.  The report includes financial impact of energy and resource use and its associated greenhouse gas emissions while delivering County services.  The inventory for fiscal year 2007-2008 provides an initial baseline to track results on emission reduction strategies - Completed April 2011. 
• SCORE (Sustainability Competency and Opportunity Rating and Evaluation) - This assessment looked at the common functions that all organizations share (top management, purchasing, HR, finance, etc.).  It defined the practice areas relevant to sustainability within local government - Completed July 2010.
  

Facility Energy Audit and Energy Conservation

• Large Buildings and Facilities Energy Audit - Energy audits assessed opportunities for reducing energy use and cost savings.  More then $500,000 in savings identified for 10 major County facilities - Completed June 2010.  
• Hilo Wastewater Facility Energy Audit - Energy audit for wastewater facility identified over $165,000 in savings, conducted via support from EPA - Completed Feb. 2010. 
  
• Energy Conservation Behavior Survey - Conducted in partnerships with students from University of Hawaii Hilo to understand conservation behaviors and incentives - Completed May 2010. 
  

Renewable Energy

• Renewable Energy Analysis - examined the feasibility of installing on-site renewable energy generation capacity at County facilities - Updated June 2010. 
  

Transportation and Waste

• County Fleet Analysis - examined the average vehicles miles traveled, gallons consumed, and average cost per vehicle to identify efficiency opportunities - Completed June 2010 by National Renewable Energy Lab.  
• West Hawaii Waste Audit - examined the waste stream of West Hawaii County Operation to identify opportunities to reduce waste and divert 'residual products' for better uses - Completed December 2009. 
  

Purpose and Process of Mayor's Green Team

• Promoting energy conservation;
• Increasing energy efficiency of County Buildings and Facilities;

  

  Green Team Members

  
  
• Setting target for greenhouse gas emissions reduction;
  
• Reducing fleet petroleum consumption;
  
• Increasing renewable energy generation capacity of County Buildings and Facilities;
  
• Reducing Waste;
• Reducing pollution and use of toxic chemicals;
• Developing internal sustainability metrics to benchmark progress.

1. Getting Started: Create Team, Announce Commitment, Adopt a Framework, and Increase Awareness
2. Conduct Sustainability Assessments
3. Create Compelling Vision and Strategic Goals
4. Develop Sustainability Plan
   
5. Submit Recommendations (Green Team Task Complete)
   
6. Facilitate Implementation (Administration)
   
7. Monitor and Report on Progress (Administration)