Cook County To Cut Buildings' Carbon Emissions
CHICAGO (AP) -- Cook County buildings will be getting greener.
The county's Board of Commissioners has approved an ordinance aimed at making public buildings more energy efficient -- with the goal of sharply cutting greenhouse gases emitted by county-owned buildings.
A county report says energy used in buildings accounts for two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions in Cook County, and has a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050.
The new ordinance requires the county to determine baseline data on energy use and efficiency, then decide how it will meet the goal of becoming more energy efficient.
The ordinance requires the county to track annual energy and water use in buildings larger than 35,000 square feet. It also calls for an annual report to the Cook County Board of Commissioners' president.
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