Local leaders chip in to help green projects with nonprofit

Local government and business leaders on Tuesday unveiled Green Chips, a nonprofit organization meant to channel investment into clean energy and energy efficiency while promoting Southern Nevada as a "green" place to live.

The goal is to have Green Chips serve as an umbrella organization that coordinates with other programs working on renewable energy, conservation and efficiency projects, said Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, the nonprofit's chairman.

One of those projects is before the Las Vegas City Council today. The city wants to allocate $90,000 to Green Chips for a pilot program that would offer energy audits and retrofitting to low-income households and nonprofit groups.

Green Chips is seeking grants and donations and will give commemorative green chips -- in $5, $25 and $500 increments -- to donors.

"We're going to accomplish so many things," Goodman said. "We're going to get down and dirty, so to speak."

In addition to the city, the founding members include Harrah's Entertainment and MGM Mirage, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the Southern Nevada Water Authority, Nevada State Bank, the law firm McDonald Carano Wilson LLP, and the cities of Henderson and North Las Vegas. Clark County and NV Energy also are participating.

Though Goodman wouldn't provide details because the specifics haven't been finalized, he said initial projects will be announced soon, perhaps by the end of August.

Projects being considered include installing a solar power system at a local charity and building houses to an energy efficiency standard known as LEED. Eventually, Green Chips aims to have a revolving loan fund to help with the initial costs of installing wind and solar power systems.

The group's leaders also dream of Southern Nevada being hailed as a leader in energy conservation and "sustainable" living.

Terry Jicinsky, vice president of operations for the LVCVA and a Green Chips board member, said Las Vegas doesn't get the credit it deserves for the environmental steps that have been taken.

Boyd Gaming, he noted, built a new laundry facility that uses about half the water of a conventional laundry setup. MGM Mirage recycled much of the imploded Boardwalk Hotel in building CityCenter, and Harrah's was the first casino company to join an EPA program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"This is not new," Jicinsky said. "This is an opportunity to bring it all together."

Contact reporter Alan Choate at achoate@reviewjournal.com or 702-229-6435.