The Greening of METRO

Fox News is doing it. So is the Wall Street Journal. Dupont and British Petroleum and NBC Universal are, too.

They are all going green and helping the environment. Read more here from ABC News.

Count METRO as a company taking big steps to go green, too. We have embarked on green initiatives that will save energy - and save taxpayers thousands of dollars every year.

Here are some things we do to keep METRO green:

• Monitor and track utility consumption at each facility
• Carefully review utility invoices to identify errors such as overcharges
• Retrofit lighting systems with new, more efficient ones.
• Adjust temperature settings at facilities
• Recycle water used to wash our bus fleet
• Water lawns and landscaping areas on as-needed basis
• Review sprinkler systems to detect and repair leaks.
• Modify water sprinkler system schedule
• Install occupancy sensors in offices and conference rooms to reduce energy use in unoccupied areas
• Stop supplying Styrofoam cups in break rooms at 1900 Main and ask employees to use their own mugs

We're already beginning to save money. So far, we've reduced our water use by more than 5 percent and our gas consumption by more than 7 percent in the period from June 2008 to June 2009.

We have also started working on an FY2010 plan that adopts the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Energy Star program.

Read Earth911.com to learn eight ways to green your office. Click here to find 10 easy ways to green your home.