Focus On The Environment
POL POSITION:
Save green by going green, Costa Mesa shows way
Thinking "green" is no longer just on the minds of tofu lovers
and tree huggers.
Gallup polling data show the number of Americans who say they
worry about the environment "a great deal" or "a fair amount"
increased from 62 to 77 percent between 2004 and 2006. Finally,
jointly, the business and environmentalist communities have moved
the issue to the mainstream. As a result, everyone saves the other
green — money.
Orange County is one of the fasting growing urban areas in the
country. With urbanism comes pollution and overuse of natural
resources. With more venture capitalists supporting green and
clean technology in the marketplace, developers, corporations and
local governments now realize it is possible to reduce the
negative effects of urbanism by making better choices to reduce
our carbon footprint.
Some still believe "it's not easy being green." I know in my own
home and law firm it's hard to change bad habits, and seems costly
to install energy efficient upgrades and practices. Even worse,
it's hard to know where to begin.
In February, I proposed a Costa Mesa Green and Clean Initiative.
The concept was to combine a voluntary environmentally friendly
incentive program to accelerate green building privately. At the
same time educating the community by setting a strong example at
City Hall by changing the way we do business from top to bottom
was critical.
The Costa Mesa "Green Team" was established to evaluate the
feasibility of integrating sustainable building techniques. Task
force members comprised of various city staff members led by Khan
Nguyen and Willa Bowens-Killen from Building and Planning, as well
as representatives of the environmentalist, business and building
communities met to formulate a policy and program.
After hearing suggestions from other Council members, numerous
local architects and green builders, the staff developed a great
program that will steward Costa Mesa safely for generations to
come. The best news is that the program and policies also have
support from the Building Industry Assn, locals such as Shaheen
Sadeghi, owner of the Lab and Camp, the Costa Mesa Chamber of
Commerce, O.C. Business Council, and major corporations such as
C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, and Edison.
On Sept. 5 the City Council is scheduled to consider adopting a
sustainable building policy to demonstrate the city's commitment
to environmental, economic and social stewardship.
Greenest City Policy
If approved, Costa Mesa will adopt the "greenest" policy in the
state by striving to have 40 to 50% less impact on the environment
based on the U.S. Green Building Council's standards. City staff
is working on a program that changes operation policies and
practices from purchasing to transportation, to water conservation
and construction.
Build Green Incentive Program
At the same time, we will consider a citywide nine-month pilot
green building incentive program for the private sector. Similar
to the Residential Remodeling Incentive Program (RRIP), the Build
Green incentive program helps property owners jump the cost hurdle
as an incentive for them to build green. Unlike the RRIP, the
Build Green program is proposed for all private developments
including multi-family, commercial and industrial. Incentives
include waiving of permit fees and expedited plan review where
green projects are put on the fast-track, provided application
assistance, and technical help.
In efforts to set an example, a Green Roof and Solar project are
scheduled as part of the 2008 budget. The benefits to the city
include energy efficiency and storm water quality. These projects
provide real life examples for the developing community to tour
and see the benefits.
For helpful resources visit
www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us/departments/green-building/green-bldg.htm.
E-mail Councilwoman Foley at
council@katrinafoley.com to share how your family or
business is going green.