Press Release - Wednesday, April 19, 2006
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Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council Celebrates Earth Week!
SPRINGFIELD - Today, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn celebrated a year's worth of green achievements at the first-ever Symposium for the Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council (GGCC). Quinn delivered the keynote address at the GGCC Symposium where he urged government officials, not-for-profit groups and everyday citizens to include green ideas and solutions in their professional and private lives.
"In the past year, the Green Government Coordinating Council has sparked an impressive list of accomplishments," Quinn said. "From increasing the number of state-owned vehicles running on E85 gasoline to commissioning the state's second-ever ‘green building,' we are working together to keep Illinois clean and green."
On March 31, 2005, Governor Rod Blagojevich appointed Lt. Governor Quinn chairman of the Illinois GGCC. The Council is charged with working with state agencies to develop polices that reduce pollution, incorporate conservation and promote green policies into government operations.
In the past 12 months, the Council has focused on increasing the use of E85 fuel in the state fleet of cars and advocated for the purchase of renewable energy in state buildings. Now the state boasts a "Green Fleet" of more than 1,600 cars capable of running on E85 - an environmentally friendly fuel made from 85 percent ethanol. And, last summer, the state negotiated a contract to purchase 3 percent renewable energy in15 state buildings in Northeast Illinois.
The Green Government Council is also committed to establishing more green buildings to create environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work. This new generation of buildings will be energy-efficient and designed to deliver high performance both inside and out by using solar power, fluorescent lighting, and water conservation practices.
"Earth Day reminds us in Illinois of our constitutional right to a healthful environment," Quinn said. "The Green Government Coordinating Council is putting Illinois on a greener path toward greater energy security, a cleaner environment and a growing economy."
Lt. Gov. Quinn awarded six state agencies for their exceptional commitment to a cleaner Illinois.
· Illinois Environmental Protection Agency: General Achievement Award
· Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services: Waste Reduction Award
· Illinois Department of Central Management Services: Green Facilities Award
· Illinois State University, ISU Green Team: University Achievement Award
· Illinois Department of Transportation: Green Innovator Award
· Illinois Department of Corrections: Energy Efficiency Award
For more information on these award-winning programs, please visit www.GreenSolutions.il.gov.
The awards ceremony capped off the day's events, which consisted of a series of workshops designed to teach new and innovative ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce waste in the workplace.
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