Montgomery's Clean Air Efforts Recognized

Montgomery’s efforts to improve its air quality have not gone unnoticed. In fact, they were recently recognized by the organizers of the Clean Air Counts program.

That program is a joint effort by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, and the state and federal Environmental Protection Agencies. It encourages participants—including units of government—to reduce ozone-causing emissions, and make the air cleaner, thus helping economic development.

Montgomery’s efforts include passing laws to reduce heat islands through landscaping, require high-efficiency outdoor lighting, and ban leaf burning. The new , at 200 N. River Street, was also designed with energy-saving features, village leaders said.

Clean Air Counts members are ranked at one of four levels: bronze, silver, gold and platinum. Montgomery was given a gold award at a recent meeting of the Metro West Council of Governments.

For more information on Clean Air Counts, log onto www.cleanaircounts.org.