Renewable energy in Nevada has a number of often debatable elements. The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce asked two industry-savvy members to weigh in on what are anticipated to be leading issues on the renewable energy front in 2010 and beyond.
I am not an employee of NV Energy. Rather, they are a customer of Siemans. Therefore, this is my basic interpretation of the current situation as a vendor that is part of the industry.
Ecologic Construction is dedicated to providing value-added construction services to customers by creating a successful partnership with them throughout the construction process. Ecologic Construction is a company familiar with The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. The following is an in-depth Q&A with company owner, Catherine Hyde.
Q: How has green constuction evolved in Southern Nevada over the past 10 years?
It's a constant balancing act for every business owner: increasing employee morale, enhancing corporate image and adopting green business practices, all while keeping profits up. In today's economic environment, it may seem that something has to give, but innovative thinking about affordable investments in employee benefits may help to achieve all of these goals and more.
"What kind of employee benefits could achieve all that?" you might ask. Consider this: in Southern Nevada, it costs nearly $7.50 to make an 11-mile commute alone by car, which means average drivers spend about $150 a month or more just getting to and from work. Additionally, every mile those employees drive releases a pound of pollution into the air and increases congestion on our roadways.
Offering employees alternative, sustainable ways to get to and from work can help relieve the cost of commuting and reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. It can cost a company little to nothing to establish a commute options program, allowing a small investment to go a long way, financially and environmentally.
In Southern Nevada, the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) has developed the Club Ride Commuter Services program, a cost-free initiative to help employers offer the benefits of commute options at worksites. Club Ride currently works with about 200 employers throughout the Las Vegas area and has made it easy for hospitals, call centers, law firms, government agencies, hotels, casinos and workers in almost every industry to help employees carpool, vanpool, ride transit, walk or bicycle to work.
Every employer partner of Club Ride has a dedicated Club Ride outreach coordinator who provides free, one-on-one assistance to design and implement customized commute options and air quality improvement programs. Partners receive marketing materials, training, ongoing support, and worksite event assistance and more - all at no cost.
While commute options programs cost an employer practically nothing, the payoff can be substantial for employees. Take that $150 it takes to drive to work alone, compare it to a $55 monthly transit pass, and you'll see savings of more than $1,100 a year. Take that $150, split the cost with a carpool partner, and you'll see $900 in savings. By providing employees with the means to experience savings like these, you're giving them added benefits at no extra cost to you.
Partnerships with Club Ride also allow employers to offer discounted transit passes to employees through the EZ Rider Transit Pass Program, which can give commuters up to 15 percent off the price of a pass. Ridematching services for finding carpools, guaranteed rides home in times of need, and financial incentives, are additional benefits partners can offer employees at no cost. Every month the Club Ride Rewards program even gives gift cards and other prizes to commuters who use commute alternatives, an incentive offered only to employees of Club Ride partners. Taking advantage of the RTC's program pays off for employees, while also reflecting well on participating businesses.
Productive employees make for a thriving business. When workers don't have to sit in traffic wasting gas, they arrive at work on time, less-stressed, and with more money in their pockets. Commute options programs have been proven to increase employee production, reduce absenteeism and help in recruiting and retaining the best employees. But the benefits don't end there.
Aside from the incentives offered by Club Ride, some employers offer preferential parking for carpools and vanpools and added incentives and recognition to employees who take advantage of alternative commute modes. Being able to offer employees such benefits can help to boost morale at the worksite, creating happier employees.
Commute options also provide added tax benefits for businesses. By subsidizing employees' transit costs or letting employees pay for transit via pre-tax benefits, employers can reduce payroll taxes and boost their bottom lines.
Working toward sustainable practices is part of almost every business plan today. Though some projects may cost millions of dollars and take years to implement, commute options programs offer immediate results at very low costs.
Because more than 85 percent of Las Vegas' air pollution comes from the tailpipes of cars, getting those cars off the roads is one of the most effective ways to clean the air. By promoting carpools, transit, walking or bicycling, businesses with commute options programs are helping to significantly reduce pollution in Southern Nevada. Commute options programs can even be used toward qualification for LEED Certification, and the employers that participate in the Club Ride program experience an enhanced corporate image for promoting sustainable commute modes.
No matter what your reasons may be - increasing employee morale, boosting bottom lines, enhancing corporate image or greening your business - commute options programs are a smart choice for every employer. With the help of the RTC and Club Ride, these programs are affordable and offer a return unmatched for the price.
To join other Chamber Members that have partnered with Club Ride, like Bally's, Boyd Gaming, Caesars Palace, Embarq, Greenspun Media Group, Palms, Valley Hospital and many others, call Club Ride Commuter Services at s228-RIDE (7433) or visit rtcsnv.com.
The federal government recently passed a $787 billion economic recovery plan designed to put millions of Americans back to work. The recovery bill emphasizes investment in projects that can be deployed quickly and create jobs, thus fueling the economy's growth. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 includes billions of dollars that may be used for green building, retrofitting, energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, including those in federal facilities, states, localities, and tribal areas; schools and housing. As a small business you may be able to benefit from stimulus projects and tax credits that are part of this recovery plan.
Central to the American Recovery Act is energy efficiency. Some experts estimate that energy efficiency in existing buildings can generate $160 billion in savings by 2030. Included are some selected highlights of the American Recovery Act and other tips to help you benefit from energy efficient practices.
Green Federal Facilities: The law provides $5.55 billion to the federal General Services Administration (GSA) for federal buildings, including $4.5 billion for measures to make GSA facilities "high-performance green buildings," as defined by the 2007 energy law. The law also requires that $4 million of funds provided be directed for GSA's Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings, which was created by the 2007 energy law.
Home Weatherization: The Act provides $5 billion for the federal Weatherization Assistance Program, which provides assistance to low-income families in weatherizing and improving the energy efficiency of their homes. To broaden the program's reach, the Act increases the income levels covered by the program (from 150 percent of the federal poverty level to 200 percent) and the amount of assistance available for each housing unit (from $2,500 to $6,500). The Act also increases the percentage of funding that may be used for training and technical assistance (from 10 percent to up to 20 percent).
Energy Efficiency in States and Localities: The Act provides $3.2 billion for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, which was established by the 2007 energy law to provide support to states, localities, and tribal governments for energy efficiency and conservation programs and projects. Under the Act, $2.8 billion will be distributed by formula, and $400 million will be administered through competitive grants.
Public Housing: The Act provides $4 billion for the Public Housing Capital Fund, which provides funds to public housing agencies nationwide for the development, funding, and modernization of public housing developments. Under the Act, $3 billion of the funds will be distributed by formula, and $1 billion will be made available as competitive grants "for priority investments, including investments that leverage private sector funding or financing for renovations and energy conservation retrofit investments."
Green Jobs: The Act provides $3.95 billion for training and employment services under the Workforce Investment Act, including $500 million "for research, labor exchange and job training projects to prepare workers for careers in energy efficiency and renewable energy industries." Additionally, the bill provides $250 million for building, rehabilitating, and acquiring Job Corps Centers, of which up to 15 percent ($37.5 million) may be directed "to meet the operational needs of such centers, which may include training for careers in the energy efficiency, renewable energy, and environmental protection industries."
Tax Incentives for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: Energy-Efficient Existing Homes: Existing federal law provides an individual tax credit of 10 percent of expenses for certain energy-efficient improvements to existing homes. Previously, the tax credit offered specific, capped amounts for qualified property. Under the bill, the amount of the credit has been raised to 30 percent for 2009 and 2010, and these technology-specific caps have been lifted and replaced with a $1,500 total cap on installations that may qualify for credit. Referenced efficiency levels have also been updated.
Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit: The bill extends the production tax credit for wind facilities by three years to 2013, and for solar, biomass, geothermal, landfill gas, trash combustion, hydropower, and marine and hydrokinetic to 2014.
Temporary Election of Investment Tax Credit: Recognizing the uncertainty of investor tax liability owing to the economic downturn, the new law temporarily permits eligible taxpayers to elect the investment tax credit instead of the tax credit for production of renewable energy for facilities placed in service after December 31, 2008. Additionally, the bill modifies the existing investment tax credit to eliminate the dollar caps for solar, geothermal, and small wind property.
Treasury Grants for Energy Investment: Acknowledging the decreased effectiveness of energy tax credits due to the economic downturn, the law permits taxpayers to apply for grants from the Treasury Department in lieu of certain renewable energy investment tax credits.
Advanced Energy Investment Tax Credit: The law creates a new 30% tax credit to be awarded through a competitive process for investment in facilities that manufacture "advanced energy property," for example, technologies for producing renewable energy, conserving energy, transmitting renewable energy, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, among other purposes determined by the Secretary. Among other incentives, the bill provides increased authorizations for clean renewable energy bonds (increased by $1.6 billion) and qualified energy conservation bonds (from 800M to $3.2 billion). For a complete summary of the law, please visit: http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/PressSummary02-13- 09.pdf.
While some of these opportunities may not be relevant to your business, it is important to know that "green" practices are becoming more "mainstream" and that there are ways you too can save money for reinvestment back into your business.
Making your business more sustainable and reducing energy costs is vital in this current economic climate. Now is the time to find out how you can participate in the American Recovery Act and bring "green" back to your bottom line.
For more information on the Chamber's Green Initiative contact Lauren Boitel at 702.641.5822 or at lboitel@lvchamber.com.
Contributed by Rachel Ako, Inside Sales & Commercial Sales - SynLawn
In a 2008 report on the status of Lake Mead, scientists at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography predicted there is a 50 percent probability that Lake Mead will be completely dry by 2021 due to the effects of climate change and the unsustainable usage of Colorado River water. The report concluded, "Today, we are at or beyond the sustainable limit of the Colorado system. The alternative to reasoned solutions to this coming water crisis is a major societal and economic disruption in the desert southwest, something that will affect each of us living in the region."
Going into 2009, the volume of water in Lake Mead is at a mere 46 percent. Water levels have not been this low since 1964. Further, it was not until 1983, 19 years after the 1964 low point, that Lake Mead returned to full capacity. One of the many ways Nevada is responding to this water crisis is by encouraging residents to convert to water-efficient landscaping. There are many benefits of converting, both to the environment and your wallet.
First, the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) is offering a $1.50 per square foot Water Smart Landscape Rebate program for any residence or business converting natural grass to water-efficient landscaping. This includes artificial turf, rock, mulch, wood chips, etc.
For the average residential home, converting 500 square feet of lawn to water-efficient landscaping saves more than $100 annually on your water bill, and conserves 27,500 gallons of water. That's a savings of 275,000 gallons of water and $1,080 over the next 10 years!
Business owners enjoy even greater savings. Converting your lawn to water-smart landscaping is a winwin situation. The average commercial business has approximately 3,000 square feet of lawn. Converting results in a savings of $650 on your water bill and saves 165,000 gallons of water a year. That's 1,650,000 gallons of water and $6,480 over the next 10 years!
Going into 2009, the volume of water in Lake Mead is at a mere 46 percent. Water levels have not been this low since 1964.
If you want to calculate your exact savings, use the watersaving calculator at www.snwa.com. Enter the square footage of natural grass you plan to convert to water-smart landscaping and the agency that supplies your water. With a click of your mouse, you will be shown exactly how many gallons of water you will save each year and how that translates to a positive impact on your bottom line. Even further savings will come in the form of decreased lawn maintenance fees, as well.
While reflecting on the possibility of a dry Lake Mead, climate scientist David Pierce noted, "It's likely to mean real changes to how we live and do business in this region." Las Vegas businesses can begin making changes now. Changes will help prevent much more drastic conditions in the future, both environmentally and economically.
For more information on the benefits of converting to water-efficient landscaping, you can call the Project Office at 702.862.3400 or visit the SNWA online for an information packet, application, gallery of landscape designs and even a list of water-smart contractors.
Additional source: http://www.arachnoid.com/NaturalResources
The views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and may not reflect the views of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce.
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