Both the City of Lawrence and Douglas County announced today (April 19) that they recently joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Green Power Partnership. The honor was bestowed in recognition of both organization’s commitments to using green power.

The City of Lawrence is using nearly 35 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, which is enough to meet 99% of the organization's electricity use. Douglas County is using nearly 3.9 million kWh of green power annually, which is enough to meet 60% of the organization's electricity use. By choosing green power, both the City and the County are helping advance the voluntary market for green power and the development of those sources.

“We are honored that the EPA is honoring both the City and the County commitments to green power,” said Jasmin Moore, Director of Sustainability for the Lawrence-Douglas County Sustainability Office. “Using green power helps our organizations reduce air pollution and lower our emissions footprint, while also sending a message to others across our community – and the country – that green power is an affordable, accessible choice.”

By moving the needle in the voluntary green power market, the City of Lawrence, Douglas County, and other Green Power Partners are helping to reduce the negative health impacts of air emissions including those related to ozone, fine particles, acid rain and regional haze.

According to the EPA, the City of Lawrence’s green power use is equivalent to the electricity use of more than 3,000 average American homes annually. Douglas County’s green power use is equivalent to the electricity use of nearly 400 average American homes annually.

This honor reflects both organizations’ commitments to sustainability now and in the future, and it is not the only effort being made. This April, in celebration of Earth Day on April 22, the Lawrence-Douglas County Sustainability Office is encouraging community members to give back and celebrate our Earth all month long.

A listing of community activities that celebrate Earth Day and Earth Month is available on the City of Lawrence website: lawrenceks.org/earth-day. Due to continuing COVID-19 safety protocols, there will not be a community Earth Day celebration or parade in South Park this year.

The community is also asked to get involved in Earth Day by showing their appreciation on social media with the hashtag: #DGKSEarthDay. The week of Monday, April 19, through Sunday, April 25, everyone in Douglas County is encouraged to use the hashtag and share a picture of how they celebrate Earth Day, whether it is going for a walk outside, recycling, composting or helping to keep their neighborhood free of garbage. There are hundreds of ways to demonstrate appreciation for the Earth!