Glencoe has been given a clean-air award, highlighting its recent environmental efforts.
The village received a gold-level award from the Clean Air Counts Program, a collaborative effort sponsored by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, the City of Chicago, federal and state environmental protection agencies and nearly 100 member municipalities.
The program aims to reduce smog-causing emissions in the Chicago area to achieve compliance with the federal Clean Air Act, according to its website.
Participants in the program are ranked in four levels: bronze, silver, gold and platinum. Five years ago, Glencoe was a bronze-level recipient, but in the years since has taken steps to improve, largely through the efforts of a Sustainability Working Group, said Ilir Ademaj, a village spokesman.
According to the village, since 2007 it has implemented the following green initiatives:
* Installed energy efficient lighting at Village Hall;
* Adopted of a municipal anti-idling policy for its vehicle fleet;
* Offered residents the optional purchase of renewable energy through alternative electricity supplier Mc’;
* Conducted public outreach programs and events, including the 2011 Glencoe Goes Green exhibition and the 2012 Green Goals for Glencoe event;
* Adopted the Greenest Region Compact in 2008, a voluntary Metropolitan Mayors Caucus initiative to improve the region’s air, water and land, reduce greenhouse gases, minimize waste, and reduce energy consumption through a series of environmental actions;
* Endorsed a Sustainability Study prepared in July 2009, whose 10 strategies included “Reducing Energy Consumption” and “Air Quality”; and
* Conducted an energy efficient and green building code audit through the Village’s Sustainability Working Group.