Governor O'Malley Launches Environmental Footprint, Leading By Example Websites

Annapolis, MD (June 22, 2010) - Governor Martin O’Malley today launched the Maryland State Government Environmental Footprint tool, part of the new Leading by Example section on the State’s Smart, Green & Growing website. The Leading by Example webpage highlights efforts by State government agencies and facilities to reduce their impacts on the environment, while the Environmental Footprint tool serves as a central location on the web for citizens to view the environmental impact of State facilities and operations.

“As a Smart, Green and Growing Maryland, examining the effects of our agencies and facilities on the environment is critical in ensuring a sustainable future for our State and our children,” said Governor O’Malley. “These tools will enable Marylanders to see exactly how the State government is working to improve its efficiency and reduce its impact on our natural world and valuable resources.”

Under Governor O’Malley’s leadership, State agencies are taking action to lower their impacts on the environment and reduce their environmental footprints. Some actions are being taken through organized programs such as the Maryland Green Registry, Maryland Green Jobs and Industry Task Force, Interagency Climate Change/Sustainability committee and Maryland Green Building Council. The new Leading by Example webpage features efforts by these and other agencies to conserve natural resources and minimize Maryland’s environmental footprint.

“The State is Leading by Example by conserving substantial amounts of energy, greening its existing facilities through recycling and using less paper, and ensuring that new agency buildings are built to high-efficiency standards,” said Al Collins, Secretary of the Maryland Department of General Services. “These are just a few of the many best practices that are showcased on the Leading by Example website, which shows that Maryland truly is in the forefront of protecting its environment for generations to come.”

The Environmental Footprint website allows Marylanders to learn about these efforts by State agencies and see the overall effect of the State on the environment. The site provides tools and additional information to keep the public informed of the effects of State facilities and operations on the environment. There are also links to websites with information that will help citizens to reduce their own impacts on the environment, including energy and water conservation tips.

The website also displays an interactive chart that provides quantitative data for calendar year 2008 broken down in specific categories related to environmental footprint reduction. Those categories are as follows: total electricity usage, total water usage, total waste generated, total recycling rate per agency and the overall carbon footprint per agency, as well as for all agencies throughout the State of Maryland that have provided data in the category. Not all of the data for each of the above categories is included, but as more data is acquired (calendar years 2009, 2010 and 2011 are planned), the interactive chart will be updated.

The Leading by example webpage can be found at http://www.green.maryland.gov/leading_by_example.html and the Environmental Footprint tool is located at http://www.green.maryland.gov/carbon_footprint.html.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2009, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 467,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov