A new government newsletter will “help consumers make a difference” in protecting the environment, the Environmental Protection Agency says.
Go Green, the online newsletter, arose from the agency’s “desire to try and get news you can use” to consumers, said Jeff Morin, a Web editor for the EPA.
“America is shifting to a ’green culture’ where all 300 million citizens are embracing the fact that environmental responsibility is everyone’s responsibility,” the agency said Monday in its announcement.
The newsletter, delivered monthly by e-mail, supplies an “Enviro-Tip of the Month” and a section called “What You Can Do, What You Can Use.”
The newsletter was inspired by the many press releases that the EPA issues every month. Go Green will sort through and select the releases most relevant to everyone, Mr. Morin said.
“Everybody can use reminders,” he said.
Mr. Morin uses the example of switching to more energy-efficient light bulbs as the type of information in the newsletter.
This month’s newsletter articles include “Early Hurricane Preparations Can Save Lives and Property” and “Buy Energy Star Products A Big Part of the Climate Change Solution.” At the end of the newsletter, the EPA lists upcoming events and opportunities for public participation.
Readers can subscribe by visiting EPA’s Web site (www.epa.gov). Mr. Morin said it’s too early to gauge whether the newsletter will be successful.
The newsletter is similar to the EPA’s other information sources such as “WaterSense: Efficiency Made Easy,” a program that includes a video to help viewers learn how to “protect the future of our nation’s water supply by promoting and enhancing the market for water-efficient products and services.”
Battle Creek, Mich., is an example of the spread of “green culture.” The city is investing $3.9 million into a long-range renewable-energy program. Plans include a new boiler for City Hall and a police department that runs on renewable fuel sources such as wood chips and corn.
Battle Creek recognizes that going green will save some green because of reduced energy costs.
Michelle Reen, assistant to the city manager, said Battle Creek was looking for a plan to replace its boiler and respond to a challenge to become more environmentally friendly.
Bucky Green, chief of the EPA’s sustainable facilities program, said the federal government is taking actions that include investing in Energy Star-labeled buildings and reducing energy use.
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