Jonce Walker
Into the mind of ...
You just launched Phase 3 of your Green Government project. What did the first two phases do?
It was a learning effort for a couple of years. The first two phases empowered 53 county departments to tackle the low-hanging fruit and taught us that conservation, recycling and smart energy use make economic sense. We tried out different ideas and policies, abandoned some, and evaluated our existing policies. The green that this program supports saves money, $2 million in energy costs alone. It is important to remember sustainability is as much about economics as it is the environment. They are not mutually exclusive.
What’s included in the third phase?
The third phase shows our progress over the past several years and ups the ante on what we would like to complete in the future. We would like to install even more solar and enable better commute options, for example. All of our progress can be reviewed online at www.mygreengovernment.com.
What does the average county resident get from this?
They get a culture that simultaneously spurs economic growth and respects our beautiful Sonoran desert. They get lower taxes through our ability to shave $2 million off our energy bill, reduce our water consumption and build high-performance buildings that will last longer than conventional buildings.
What are the biggest sustainability challenges for this community?
Water. We like to think that it will never run out. The Colorado River is already so overallocated that it no longer reaches the Sea of Cortez. We need to encourage everyone to use water more efficiently.
The Valley’s sprawl doesn’t exactly say “sustainable.” Is there a way to adapt?
Our best bet is to retrofit, to infill and to renovate and reuse what we already have. Several cities have followed “adaptable reuse” policies, retrofitting older and declining buildings and using them for different purposes. Making this the way to develop would require innovative leadership in all the Valley cities working regionally. We don’t want to curb growth. We just should grow smarter.
Additionally, weneed to create alternative, easier ways get around. The studies are showing that members of the Millennial generation (those born between 1980 and 2000) are using cars less than previous generations.
The Legislature isn’t keen on sustainability. Do its actions impede your efforts?
The Legislature has addressed renewable energy and sustainability efforts in many ways over the past few years. The one message I hear from them is that government should not pick winners and losers. That doesn’t mean they don’t see benefits to state taxpayers by finding cheaper and sustainable ways to produce energy, clean the air or protect our water resources.
They are implementing healthy forest programs which would not only reduce the risk of huge wildfires, but also allow the use of the biomass collected to be used as an energy source.
I focus on the regional issues of Maricopa County and there is a lot to celebrate. Maricopa County has installed over 4 megawatts of solar, built LEED Platinum buildings, and is constructing more than1,500 miles of regional trails. How do you get to work? I am very proud to say that I haven’t driven to work in over four years. If the weather is great I ride my single-speed bike the eight miles each way in my work clothes.
‘‘ I am very proud to say that I haven’t driven to work in over four years.”
Sustainability manager Maricopa County Sustainability Office