Maryland Higher Education Commission

August 2009 Press Release

 

 

For immediate release: August 3, 2009                                                  Media Contact: Christopher Falkenhagen
                                                                                                                         Communications
                                                                                                                         (410) 260-4511

 

MHEC Joins Governor O'Malley's Green Registry

Annapolis, MD (August 3, 2009) - The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) has joined Governor O’Malley’s Maryland Green Registry, a free resource that offers tips for how local and state government, businesses, churches, schools and other organizations can minimize their services’ impact on the environment. Governor O’Malley launched the registry last month as part of his Smart, Green and Growing Initiative.

As a Green Registry member, MHEC has committed to reaching or exceeding Maryland’s EmPOWER goals for electrical consumption. Its Registry profile describes its efforts at recycling (11 tons in 2008), improving its energy efficiency (energy consumption is 5% below 2006 levels), and allowing some of its employees to telework. MHEC’s building is also surrounded by rocks to reduce erosion and its property features two stormwater management ponds.

MHEC is also a partner in Governor O’Malley’s Smart, Green and Growing Initiative, a collection of programs that seek to restore the Chesapeake Bay, preserve land, revitalize communities, create green jobs, improve transit, conserve energy and address climate change. MHEC’s website features a link to the Smart, Green and Growing website and a list of activities being undertaken by Maryland’s colleges, universities, community colleges, and private career schools to make Maryland a cleaner, greener place to live.

“Maryland businesses and other organizations already know that even relatively simple steps to reduce our impact on the environment save money and create a healthier workplace,” said Governor Martin O’Malley in announcing the Registry’s launch. “The Maryland Green Registry provides an opportunity for these organizations to share their stories and inspire others to take steps to protect our air and our water, including the Chesapeake Bay.”

“I really enjoy visiting postsecondary institutions throughout the State and seeing the pride on students’ faculty members’ and staff’s faces as they talk about their green initiatives which are quite impressive,” Secretary of Higher Education James E. Lyons, Sr. said. “I am pleased that Governor O’Malley is so committed to preserving Maryland’s precious open space, pristine waterways and all natural resources not just for us, but for our children and our children’s children.”

The Maryland Higher Education Commission is a 12-member coordinating board responsible for establishing statewide policies for Maryland public and independent colleges and universities and private career schools. It serves as an advocate for more than 337,000 college students in Maryland, for the State and its needs, and for business and industry in Maryland.

 

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