Stacking Green Chips in the Silver State The Sequel
Bright Lights, Green City?
It’s been almost three months since the announcement from the city of Las Vegas, surrounding cities and Southern Nevada businesses with their collective plan to start a new, non-profit organization called Green Chips. Cleverly titled, Green Chips is aimed at creating a more energy-efficient and “green” state of Nevada. Given the initial surprise, excitement and early skepticism that came with the concept of America’s “Sin City” turning eco-friendly, a follow-up is in order.
A Goodman for the Job
According to SierraClubGreenHome.com’s Abi Wright, the message that Green Chips wants to send to the rest of the country – even the world – is that environmental protection and conservation is of the utmost importance to it’s citizens and to the future survival of the planet.
Recently, Abi sat down with the mayor of Las Vegas, Oscar Goodman, chairman of Green Chips, to ask him a few questions about the organization and where he sees Las Vegas headed as it pertains to a greener lifestyle for the city:
Can a town known for its bright lights, fast-action gaming, and party atmosphere be the next city to adopt green living? The members of Green Chips hope not to necessarily change your impressions of Vegas as fun and entertaining, but possibly add another… Las Vegas, a city that cares about the environment, its future, and green living, also still a place where you can have a good time!
Green Chips plans to make Nevada a more sustainable environment by implementing and encouraging special programs, incentives, and funds aimed at educating, promoting and supporting the use of recycled products as well as building more energy-efficient homes and creating new green jobs.
“There are over 40 million people [living in or traveling to and from Las Vegas] concerned about climate change, local jobs, and energy concerns, and we want to promote to the world that Las Vegas will be one of the cities leading the way in the effort to go green”, says Tom Perrigo, who is Deputy Director for the City of Las Vegas, and also one of the founding members of Green Chips.
“One of our first year goals is to host a ‘Convene 4 Green’ conference in the spring to measure the city’s targets and then drive the programs that we would like to implement, accordingly,” he said.
With the support of some of Nevada’s biggest names in business, gaming, and local government behind this project, Green Chips looks to be more than just rhetoric: it is an effort to change the entire landscape of the state in the next 10-25 years by strongly encouraging Nevada to rely on recycled and reusable energy through new laws, bonuses and incentives to businesses.
Direct from the “Missions and Goals statement” on their website (www.greenchips.org ), Green Chips plans to aggregate resources to provide low-interest loans to homeowners and businesses for qualifying energy efficiency, resource preservation, and carbon reduction projects. After rebates and tax credits, Green Chips is seeking to make loans available to bridge the financial gap to ensure that renewable energy and conservation projects are affordable.
The tax and financial breaks are well needed with the current housing market coupled with the state’s struggling economy. By purchasing more energy-efficient products (such as Energy Star-approved washers, refrigerators, etc.) and recycled (or recyclable) building products, both individuals and businesses will be able to take advantage of the incentives this organization is offering.
Other Reading and References
Stacking Green Chips in the Silver State
Local leaders chip in to help green projects with nonprofit from Las Vegas Review Journal
November 11th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
That’s freakin awesome SCGH got to interview the mayor of Las Vegas!
November 11th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Is that a bottle of alcohol on his desk? I heard that this mayor likes to drink, I guess it’s true?
November 11th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
How can a city like Las Vegas turn around from bright lights, carbon emissions, etc and become green? Although I do applaud how they are actually trying at least.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
I heard that Las Vegas is the least toxic city in America? I guess Las vegas is doing something right.
November 11th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Las Vegas isn’t doing too well economically, and everyone knows this. Perhaps, this is just a scheme for more tourists?
November 11th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
How green are the residents of Las Vegas? Do they approve this Green Chips program? Are they even aware that it exists?
November 11th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
I think Vegas is making some great strides in their sustainability! I’m proud to say that I’m a resident!
November 11th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Yah, I read the article about the most and least toxic cities in America too! I can’t believe Las Vegas is one of the least. I wonder how they even figure that out.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
I would like Vegas to go green, but I am a little skeptical. Maybe they’re just trying to get more publicity since tourism is down.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
I highly doubt all the 40 million tourists that come to Las Vegas are concerned about the environment.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
I think it’s important for LV to go green and motivate citizens
November 11th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
I love visiting LV, but I have never seen anything green there. I guess the ‘please reuse your towels’ thing is eco-friendly.
November 12th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
I visited Las Vegas last year for my friend’s bachelorette party, and I can tell you that I didn’t see anything remotely green, maybe except that green hotel.
November 12th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
The ‘green hotel’ is MGM. But, actually the hotels are doing a lot to go green these days like recycling, composting, etc.
November 12th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
i dont think las vegas can ever go green
it’s simply not their industry
November 16th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Interesting interview. Congrats to the site for being able to get the mayor!
November 20th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
I travel a lot, and I got to go to Vegas a couple times. And from what I can tell, Vegas is not very green. But then again, I don’t really remember much from my trips there.
January 26th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Neat article. I like the video