Arlington Mayor Dr. Robert Cluck

June 1, 2005
City of Arlington Environmental  Conservation Efforts

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Because of my career as a physician, a great deal of my time as Mayor has been spent contemplating how we can improve the health of Arlington citizens. In the past, I have worked to promote exercise and healthy eating habits through a health fair and fitness challenge. However, Arlington’s municipal government is also working hard to do our part to improve public health by contributing to healthy air quality.

In 2002, Arlington began an effort to reduce by 25% our overall electric consumption in five years, an average 5% reduction each year. I am happy to report that in the past three years, we have reduced our electric consumption by well over 17 million kilowatt hours! This is a reduction in our overall consumption by 24.07 percent.

Not only are we working to reduce our electric consumption, we are also working to decrease our reliance on gasoline. Our Fleet Services division has begun the process to purchase an additional 15 new Toyota Prius hybrid sedans.  These vehicles will replace aging mid-sized sedans, at least 12 of which are more than eight years old and, therefore, pre-LEV standard models.  Implemented beginning in 1998, the LEV (low emission vehicle) standard reduced vehicle emissions by approximately 70 percent, and today's hybrids emit 98 percent less than LEV models.  Compared with pre-LEV models, hybrid emissions are almost immeasurable.  Fuel savings will also be significant; the five Priuses the City already owns return approximately 40 percent better fuel economy than a comparable internal-combustion-only vehicle.

In addition to these internal efforts, the Support Services Department has developed an insert for the June water bills that provides consumer information about the AirCheck Texas program and emission reduction tips.  AirCheck Texas is a grant-funded program that provides means-tested financial assistance to aid citizens whose vehicles fail the state emissions test in getting their vehicles repaired and re-tested.

As our city government continues to look for new ways to improve our environment, I encourage all Arlington citizens to look for ways they can help by decreasing energy consumption, conserving water and reducing the amount of solid waste they generate. Together we can make a difference for generations to come.

Robert Cluck, MD
Mayor
City of Arlington