MADISON, WI -- (August 18, 1999) -- On August 12, 1999, Leonardo Academy’s Cleaner and Greener(sm) Program asked the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to use emission allowances to reward all building owners for emission reductions delivered by their energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. In the past, all emission allowances have been given to polluters, while building owners have been passed over.

Leonardo Academy filed this request as part of MDE’s public hearing process on Maryland's emission regulations for nitrogen oxides, a pollutant that causes ground level ozone. These rules are being prepared in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) requirement that Maryland and 22 other states prepare and implement nitrogen oxide emission reduction plans. In crafting these rules, the MDE is deciding how it will give away $600 million to $1.8 billion worth of allowances for nitrogen oxide emissions.

Although the U.S. EPA has provided states with guidance to assist them in designing and implementing programs that reward energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, it is up to the MDE to include these rewards in Maryland’s rules.

Leonardo Academy asked the environmental protection agencies in all 50 states, including the MDE, to incorporate the Cleaner and Greener Principles into all future pollution reduction programs. These principles (1) reward all building owners for emission reductions delivered by energy efficiency and renewable energy, (2) reduce the cost of pollution reduction programs, and (3) increase the environmental benefits of pollution reduction programs.

Providing rewards for all building owners and others that implement energy efficiency or renewable energy projects will create an additional revenue stream for schools, local and state government, businesses, and other building owners. Building owners can use this additional revenue to support further building upgrades.

The Cleaner and Greener Principles for Pollution Reduction Programs are corporately supported by Johnson Controls, Philips Lighting, Trane, Quad/Graphics, and Kinko’s.

Leonardo Academy is a nonprofit organization that works on energy and environmental issues. Leonardo Academy’s Cleaner and Greener Program is devoted to putting the competitive market to work on cleaning up the environment. The Cleaner and Greener web site at www.cleanerandgreener.org features a calculator that lets building owners calculate the emission reductions produced by energy-saving projects.