Mercer Island Wins “Green Power Community of the Year” Award.

Mercer Island's Mayor Bruce Bassett returned today from the Renewable Energy Markets Conference in Austin, Texas with the award to Mercer Island from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as 2013 "Green Power Community of the Year".

“Mercer Island has a long history of commitment to sustainability,” said Bassett. “From the very beginning, Mercer Island’s campaign to meet a Green Power Challenge set by Puget Sound Energy was a community-wide effort, and we are honored by this national recognition from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Not only does the City cover 35 percent of its operational usage with green power, but also home and business participation increased by 55 percent. Our recent City-owned solar installation exemplifies Mercer Island’s ongoing efforts to shrink its carbon footprint, like many other cities nationwide working on local green energy solutions.”

Ross Freeman, Sustainability and Communications Manager for the City of Mercer Island, said many changes contributed to the city’s success in conserving more energy and moving to additional “green power” sources. These changes he says included;  “taking the 2012 Green Power Challenge from PSE, building a solar power installation at Community Center 2013, using grant money to install LED streetlights at Town Center, installing motion sensors and timers in City buildings to turn off unnecessary lighting and equipment, utilizing efficient HVAC systems installed at City Hall and Maintenance Shop, installing lighting upgrades to energy efficient fluorescents at all City facilities and programmable thermostats to minimize unnecessary heating costs.”

Freeman says that Mercer Island residents can also take steps to “go green” and save money. Residents Freeman says can, “sign up for PSE's Green Power program. Install solar on their own house. Replace older inefficient appliances. Pick the most energy-efficient electronics and appliances  that are EPA Energy-Star certified. Better insulate their attics and turning down the heat in winter. Plant shade trees to keep house cool in summer. Install compact fluorescent or LED light bulbs. Upgrade just 15 of your older bulbs to save up to $50 per year in energy costs. Install programmable thermostats. Use pool covers and hot-tub covers in cooler weather. And utilize natural lighting and passive solar options when remodeling.”