Hillsborough County Lands Top Sustainability Rating

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — From investing in renewable energy and fuels to saving natural lands, the future is a priority of Hillsborough County Government.

Hillsborough is the only county government in Florida and one of three in the United States to earn a top honor for committing to sustainability and improving the lives of its residents, visitors and businesses.

Sustainability filters through everything the county does, from launching innovative social, health and education programs to protecting natural resources to creating economic development opportunities.

The "platinum" certification bestowed by the U.S. Green Building Council shows Hillsborough County focuses on "People, Planet and Prosperity," and takes bold, measurable steps to accomplish its goals.

The council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program is the world's best-known green building rating system, but the certification process considers much more than structures.

It assesses how governments include sustainability in an array of initiatives including environmental stewardship, fiscal responsibility and community prosperity.

The Green Building Council looked at five years of accomplishments by Hillsborough County and its three city governments, local agencies and community-based groups.

Here are just a few of the accomplishments:

• Reducing energy demand, saving money and improving air quality by operating a chiller plant that makes ice to help cool buildings, adding solar to county facilities and using LED lighting in buildings, traffic signals, streetlights, parking lots and sports fields.
• Setting aside more than 65,000 acres of natural lands to help control stormwater runoff, increase wildlife biodiversity, help regulate the climate, reduce air pollution and provide passive recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.
• Treating wastewater to achieve a water quality level superior to 90 percent of processed wastewater elsewhere in the nation. Hillsborough County's "reclaimed" water is available for irrigation and industrial uses, thereby conserving precious drinking water.
• Ensuring residents receive needed help with financial, professional and living needs. Directly and through sponsorships, the county provides financial assistance programs, family and youth empowerment sessions, resources for the homeless, inspections of child care facilities, programs for veterans and seniors, classes that teach job skills, cultural and historic activities, and classes and supplies for gardening, composting and microirrigation.

Hillsborough County is moving forward by creating a Community Sustainability Action Plan. Residents and business owners are encouraged to identify wants, needs and priorities to help the county determine the best ways to sustain and enhance the area's quality of life by completing the Sustainability Survey.

Visit the Sustainability and Green page on the Ccunty website to learn more about Hillsborough County's sustainable projects and green initiatives.