The Town of Cornelius has joined in the "Green Challenge" confronting government today to save energy, money and natural resources in improving our environment. The Town received an award for reaching the advanced level of the North Carolina Green Challenge. The Green Challenge is a program through the North Carolina League of Municipalities that recognizes member cities and towns for their efforts to protect the environment, save energy, and preserve natural resources.  Out of 542 league members, the Town of Cornelius was one of twenty municipalities to reach the advanced level of the Green Challenge. Cornelius was recognized at the NCLM’s annual conference in Greenville in October.

The Town has implemented short-term and long-range actions that conserve resources and save money, thereby protecting the environment and operating municipal government in a more cost-­effective, energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly manner. Take a look at the following initiatives and actions that have occurred over the past two years in Cornelius:

• 3 GEM (fully electric vehicles) were purchased through a grant
• 2 Toyota Prius Hybrid Investigative Police vehicles, and 1 Honda Civic Hybrid, fleet vehicle have contributed to fuel reducing costs
• 2 different kinds of "LED" streetlights have been installed to monitor energy efficiency
• The town-owned electric company offers incentives for commercial and industrial companies to encourage energy efficiency
• Work has begun on researching acreage for a solar farm
• Energy audits for Town Hall and Police Department facility have been completed with up-fits starting soon
• The Public Works Department has applied for heavy equipment diesel engine retrofits
• The Town has advocated for legislative authority to enable a stronger tree ordinance to reduce clear-cutting
• The Town has advocated for legislation to enable incentives for developers who build "GREEN"
• The Town has a strong recycling program and is considering offering larger containers starting July 2010
• The Town participated in the national "Lights Out" night initiative
• The Parks, Arts, Recreation & Culture (PARC) Department secured a donation to outfit all parks with recycling containers capturing 65% more recycling material
• The Town was awarded funding to upfit several head water streams that have degraded significantly due to erosion
• The Town joined the NC League of Municipalities' "GREEN" -Initiative Program
  

Citizen ideas for environmental protection are welcome. Send your ideas to info@cornelius.org