Greening Local Government

This volume is a compilation of essays and research related to the rapidly changing dynamics of emerging government-focused sustainability efforts at the state and local levels. Specifically, the book explores the level of experimentation taking place by governments in their quest to become more "green." The book is organized into three main issue areas: greening of governmental operations; using land use planning and community development tools to create greener communities; and litigation issues surrounding the green movement. There are countless approaches and creative strategies that can achieve sustainability goals and at the same time, make government more efficient, less costly and more transparent. This book is designed to introduce government lawyers to opportunities and benefits when lawmakers and policymakers rethink "business as usual" in the name of sustainability and "greener" governments. Each chapter identifies the legal tools that can be used to accomplish these goals in a given topic area, and each chapter identifies legal issues for consideration by government lawyers to best accommodate new approaches and to incorporate the use of emerging technological innovations.