Pima County’s Board of Supervisors last week unanimously approved a five-year Sustainable Action Plan requiring the county to save fuel, build green buildings, use renewable energy, buy green, practice conservation and waste reduction, and cut water use.

"The county currently spends about $1 3.8 million a year for electricity and gas, and another $1.8 million a year for water and sewer services. This plan sets forth action steps that will reduce the county’s energy consumption, bring more renewable energy sources on line, and conserve our water resources. Similarly, by increasing the percentage of hybrid vehicles in the county’s fleet, and using other alternative fuels such as biodiesel, the county can hedge against the financial impact of sharply rising gas prices," the plan states.

Among the plan’s goals are:

• Use alternative fuels in 25 percent of fleet vehicles or a minimum of 100 vehicles (excluding patrol cars) by 2008. So far, the county has purchased or ordered 73 hybrid or E85 vehicles.

• Increase the percentage of fleet vehicles using alternative fuels to 30 percent by 2009 and 50 percent by 2010.

• Adopt and promote LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver building standards in new and existing buildings.

• Build all new county buildings designed after July 1, 2007, including additions over 5,000 square feet, to achieve a minimum of LEED Silver certification level.

• Construct one medium-size building with a net zero energy consumption.

• Apply LEED principles to all buildings funded through county bonds, regardless of jurisdiction. The county has already designed two buildings meeting LEED standards — the Jackson Employment Center, 300 E. 26th St., South Tucson, and Catalina Community Center, 16562 N. Oracle Road, Catalina.

• Have 15 percent of energy used by all county facilities coming from renewable resources by 2025.

• Maximize the use of methane as a renewable energy source in wastewater and landfill operations.

• Develop specifications for products and services that beneficially impact the environment.

• Acquire land and facilities that will most effectively achieve the goals of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan.

• Cut water use in all county facilities by 15 percent by 2025.