A new day dawns for green practices in Nevada

There are some very significant things happening in the area of renewable energy and green building, both of which are key components in the shift toward green living. We are seeing it at the national, state and local levels. Nevada communities are deeply involved in the process and there are ample opportunities for everyone to become involved.

Only a few weeks ago, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., announced his support for major development of clean, renewable energy in Nevada, as an alternative to dirty coal. This is a major step in a positive direction for our state. Every citizen in Nevada and beyond stands to benefit from it.

The House recently passed an energy bill intended to boost the adoption of renewable energy across the nation. The bill creates a new federal energy portfolio standard, similar to the one Nevada already has. This is a momentous shift toward clean energy and addressing global warming. There are still some hurdles, however, and it has not yet become law.

The United States Green Building Council has accepted the Union Park development in downtown Las Vegas for the new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Neighborhood Development pilot program. LEED is the premier green building rating system in the country. The program encourages smart growth and new urbanism practices that result in neighborhoods with reduced traffic, greater pedestrian and public transportation, energy and water efficiency, and mixed-use communities where people can live, work and play.

In addition, Pulte Homes has indicated it will seek LEED certification for all of the approximately 1,200 homes in the new Reverence community, opening in summer 2008. This raises the bar for new home construction in Nevada.

There are some very interesting local events coming up that you may want to participate in. Here's a brief list in chronological order. As usual, there will be links for more details posted on my Web site, www.greendream.biz.

To find out more about green building, the U.S. Green Building Council -- Nevada Chapter has a monthly breakfast meeting. On Tuesday, it will feature a LEED case study on the Molasky Corporate Center project. Suzanne Sanders, vice president of design and development for the Molasky group of companies will give the presentation.

The meeting will begin at 7 a.m. at the Desert Research Institute 755 E. Flamingo Road.

The event is open to the public. There is a $15 fee for nonmembers.

Later that morning, Sen. Reid will host a town hall discussion on Nevada's role in "Achieving Energy Independence." This is a great opportunity to learn more about energy policy and to voice your opinion.

The event will be on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd. Reservations are required. Call 388-5020.

Wednesday kicks off the University of Las Vegas, Nevada's, three-day 2007 Inaugural Energy Symposium, showcasing the renewable/sustainable energy projects of UNLV faculty, staff, students and collaborators, as well as other external projects under way statewide and nationally. This free symposium is intended for researchers, educators, students, policy makers, public and private-sector energy and environmental professionals, and citizens.

On Wednesday evening, Solar NV, the Southern Nevada Chapter of the American Solar Energy Society, will host its free monthly meeting and educational presentation at 6 p.m. in the Wengert Room at Nevada Power headquarters, 6626 W. Sahara Ave.

Chris Davey from EnviroMission will give a presentation about his company's massive solar thermal Power Tower project in Australia.

A Green Mixer is scheduled at the Sullivan Square Sales Center, 8730 Spanish Ridge Ave., Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

This will be a great networking event for people involved in or wanting to learn more about green building. There is a fee and an RSVP is required.

Crinis is Latin for "rays of sunlight," and is the appropriate name for Solar Nevada's first Nevada Renewable Energy Leadership Award banquet and silent auction. State Sen. Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, will be honored. It will take place Saturday at Cili Restaurant at Bali Hai Golf Club, 5160 Las Vegas Blvd. South, at 6 p.m.

The cost is $75 per person with all proceeds going towards education and promoting renewable energy and conservation in Nevada.

RSVP to Allison Gray at 379-6592 or agray@unlv.nevada.edu by Wednesday.

Green NV is the Green Building Expo and Renewable Energy Summit that will be held Sept. 28-29, beginning at 8 a.m. at the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd.

The Green Building Expo portion of the event will be free and open to the public Sept. 28-29.

And, finally, mark your calendar for the third Annual Southern Nevada Solar Home Tour, taking place on Oct. 6.

There have never been greater opportunities to get involved in the transformation of our communities toward sustainability.

Steve Rypka is a green living consultant and president of GreenDream Enterprises, specializing in renewable energy, green building, alternative transportation and lifestyle choices for both residential and commercial clients. The company is committed to helping people live lighter on the planet. Rypka can be reached via e-mail at steve@greendream.biz. More information relating to this column is posted at www.greendream.biz.