Our Priority: 
Students are working with members of the City Council on a policy that would establish a low-interest loan fund to finance residential clean energy or energy efficiency improvements.  Residents of College Park can apply for a loan from this fund, and then pay it back at a low interest rate with the energy savings that result from their upgrades.  This will cause the fund to grow over time and become self- sustaining.  Households that fall below the poverty line should not have to pay interest.  Companies providing services paid for by the loan fund should be based in Prince Georges County. 

Additional Requests:
  • Transportation
    • Make College Park a more bike-friendly community by creating a city bike sharing program and including a better biking infrastructure with well maintained bike lanes that are accessible from surrounding neighborhoods as a priority in the Route 1 Master Plan
    • Provide incentives for city employees who utilize public transportation and fuel efficient vehicles to get to work
  • Building
    • Dark roofs absorb as much as Ninety percent of the sun’s energy, whereas white roofs absorb as little as ten or fifteen percent, so buildings with white roofs use significantly less energy for cooling during warm months.  City owned buildings in College Park should be converted to white roofs.
    • LEED platinum is the highest official standard for buildings with a low environmental impact.  All new buildings in College Park should qualify for LEED Platinum certification.
    • PEPCO offers a limited supply of inefficient light bulbs for public lighting. The city should demand more efficient lighting options from PEPCO.
  • Economic
    • To attract new businesses to College Park, establish a two-tier system for tax cuts to “green” businesses. Tier one businesses that produce green goods and services should receive a larger tax break than tier two businesses.  Tier two businesses would be businesses that take or have taken quantifiable steps to reduce their environmental impact.
  • Policy
    • If the residential loan fund proves successful, the City Council should establish a similar Commercial Loan Fund for businesses in College Park to draw upon to finance their clean energy or energy efficiency upgrades, which will help create more tier two businesses.
    • Make College Park a “Cool City” by creating and implementing a Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  • Better Environmental Practices
    • Help the College Park community reduce its impact by providing information on tax credits and incentives from all levels of government.  Create a “Green Living” page on the city of College Park website.
    • Create and enforce recycling requirements for local businesses
    • There should be a recycling bin next to every trash can in all public place