December 15, 2008

Although the city of Las Vegas is known for its over-the-top gaming, entertainment and neon, its aggressive Sustainable Energy Strategy adopted September 3, 2008, warrants close attention. The city's deep commitment to natural resource conservation and energy efficiency has mostly been overlooked, as has the population's pursuit of a typical American lifestyle and the area's extraordinary natural surroundings.

As climate change looms and national and international concern increases, a misperception that the city is unsustainable could threaten the future of the tourism engine that drives the local economy. Gwen Migata, corporate director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Harrah's Entertainment, recently addressed the City Council in support of the strategy. "We are aware of the millions of guests' and thousands of employees' perception of what we are doing as an industry and a community in addressing and managing our energy consumption and emissions for the long term," Migata said. "The city's strategy is a clear vision and strategic framework for measuring results."

Oscar B. Goodman, the city's high profile mayor and champion, uses his popularity and charisma to keep sustainability at the top of the city's priorities. The Sustainable Energy Strategy is a declaration of measurable energy goals to capitalize on the city's abundant renewable resources of solar and wind to generate good-paying jobs while reducing the city's carbon footprint and dependence on fossil fuels. "Sustainability isn't a sexy topic," Goodman said during the City Council meeting when the resolution was being considered. "Doing the right thing is. People may not realize how important it is today, but will 10 years from now. The community's buy-in is extraordinary and we are working together to make this happen."

Unbeknownst to most, Southern Nevada is a leader in solar energy, energy efficient buildings and use of cleaner burning alternative fuels. The city of Las Vegas is becoming known as one of American's leading sustainable cities and is poised to capitalize on these strengths to attract more renewable energy businesses to the area. According to Somer Hollingsworth, president and CEO of the Nevada Development Authority, "it is critically important that our city partner, Las Vegas, has the sustainable policies, programs and results that the renewable energy producers and manufacturers that we are pursuing are looking for." Tom Piechota, PhD, director of Sustainability at the University of Nevada, added, "The city's sustainable energy strategy will have a direct correlation with jobs creation and economic diversification."

Further, the city is implementing "Triple Bottom Line" performance analysis of its actions, something that is increasingly common in the business sector but just emerging in city governments. By 2009, the goal is that 100 percent of decisions on major capital projects and new city programs will be made after considering not only life-cycle financial and economic factors but also the environmental and social costs and benefits.

"Committing to the triple-bottom-line approach is a fundamental shift for a city to take," Piechota said. "It may not be headline news today, but down the road it will make a huge impact."

The strategy includes the goal that the city will invest in three megawatts of renewable energy by 2011 and seven megawatts by 2015, and 100 percent of the cost savings from renewable energy projects will be invested in energy conservation and additional renewable projects.

Two aggressive goals are to reduce the city's carbon footprint and increase the city's use from renewable energy sources by 10 percent by 2011, 20 percent by 2020 and 30 percent by 2030. Additionally, the modification of the city's conventional zoning code to form-based sustainability zoning code is targeted for 2010.

Enjoining the residents and business community in the city's sustainability efforts is critical to attaining these goals. Goodman has established the Green Council, an advisory committee composed of professionals in development, architecture, sustainability, engineering, education and construction to review and recommend code revisions, incentives and other mechanisms that the city can employ to achieve its sustainability goals. The city plans to have a residential solar rebate program and other energy conservation programs for residents in place by 2009. Danny Thompson, of the Nevada AFL-CIO, shared with the City Council how its organization supports the future and sustainability and offers training for photo voltaic certified installation and will be adding wind energy turbine certified training in the near future.

The strategy also includes goals for its purchasing practices. One is to establish preferential purchasing policies for certified environmentally friendly products by 2009. Another is to adopt a contracting policy by 2010 that considers sustainable practices as criteria for awarding contracts.

This comprehensive strategy establishes the framework the city will use to meet its energy and sustainability goals. Mayor Goodman's commitment was fully ignited with the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Resolution adopted by city in August 2006 and the city has traveled a great distance since. City staff have been collecting and measuring their energy efficiencies and developing implementation programs, policies and procedures for tangible, real action. With the mayor's and city staff's enthusiasm, "sin city" will also become the genuine green desert oasis for generations to come.