Arlington County Board Chairman Jay Fisette, left, and Mosi Kitwana from the International Council of Local Enivonrmental Initiatives kick off Arlington's Green Games. (Photo: TBD Staff)

Arlington kicked off its "Green Games" competition amid panoramic views of the Washington area this morning, but even that scenic setting couldn't squash some friendly baiting among program participants.

The county's first ever Green Games competition — which aims to help businesses lower greenhouse gas emissions, increase sustainability, and reduce energy costs — launched at an event on the 30th floor of Monday Properties's 1100 North Wilson Boulevard building.

(Full disclosure: the building is also the home to TBD, WJLA and the rest of the Allbritton Communications family.)

Participants in the Green Games will register between now and the end of the year, and then spend 2011 trying to reduce energy and water usage, and divert waste disposal, among other things.

"This is a win-win-win," said Arlington County Board Chairman Jay Fisette. "It's good for you from an energy savings perspective, it's good for employees that may learn something new, and we as a community as partners will see an environmental benefit."

He jokingly warned competitors to keep it clean. "This is a friendly competition, so don't get nasty about this," joked Fisette.

Syed Ali, Monday Properties Senior Property Manager, said the company has spent the past three years trying to reduce the energy footprint of its buildings in the area, and is looking to do more.

He pointed out Eleanor Sakhri, who's the VP for green initiatives for property management company Jones Lang LaSalle, which manages more than 22 million square feet of commercial property in Arlington. "You hear that Eleanor? It's a friendly competition, so don't come over here and turn our lights on."

He wished his competitors good luck. "You're going to need it," he added.

Jones Lang LaSalle is planning to participate in the games, although they'll have to get the owners of the individual properties they manage on board, Sakhri says. "We need to get their sign-off. And we will, because they're very energy conscious."

The games include a category for property owners and managers, and another for office tenants. About 15 companies had signed up by the time we left the event today, including BAE Systems, Raytheon, PBS and the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Overseas Building Operations.

Tenants and buildings will each take stock of their existing energy usage at the beginning of the competition. Using tips and resources from Arlington's Fresh AIRE team garnered from monthly networking and informational events, they'll work to improve scores. There will be an awards ceremony in early 2012 that recognizes some of the most significant improvements.