Lucas County (OH) takes 'green' initiative; wood chips, corn to augment gas

[jpak]

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070207/NEWS33/702070372/-1/FRONTPAGE

Lucas County officials hope to use wood chips or corn to reduce their dependence on - and costs for - natural gas.

Calling it Lucas County's "second-biggest project" after the proposed downtown arena, the commissioners approved moving forward yesterday with plans to build an estimated $19 million energy plant that would heat and cool several county-owned buildings downtown.

In addition to gas, the plant would use locally produced biomass - like wood chips or corn - to create energy.

"I think it's one of those projects that is an initial investment that takes courage, but in the long run not only pays off for the community, but for the environment as well," Commissioner Ben Konop said.

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[Dawgs]

1. Golly!

My former city is kicking ass.

[BonnieJW]

2. I don't understand why

every city covers the roof of every mall with solar panels. Can you imagine how much energy would be saved? In another city (can't remember which one) every city-owned building has a garden on the roof. All of these gardens collectively lower the city's temperature in the summer. There are so many things each county, city, town and village can do. So much each individual can do. We should not be made to feel helpless by the dire warnings of global warning. We should all be motivated to do whatever we can to save our home.

[jpak]

3. I believe that's Chicago

Green roofs also reduce urban storm runoff...