Since the beginning of 2010,  the city of  La Quinta has taken a big step forward with a "Green & Sustainable La Quinta Program".  This program is a recognizable and pro-active step toward greening this somewhat conservative city beyond mere conservation.  A most recent quarterly report outlines the numerous steps being taken, and the effectiveness of certain programs already underway.  Besides keeping city leaders up-to-date, the report demonstrates that awareness, understanding and appreciation for green and sustainable practices are gradually being embraced by more and more city leaders, residents and businesses within the community.

        One of the most impressive actions of La Quinta continues to be the building of 80 units at "Vista Dunes" which was built with the specific goals of energy efficiency, water efficiency, smart design and green building efficiency and durability.  Vista Dunes is the first LEED Platinum Low Income Housing Project in not only the Coachella Valley, but also the entire country.  Some of these goals were accomplished by placing photovoltaic solar panels on the roofs, installing ENERGY STAR windows, tankless hot-water heaters, low flow toilets and desert landscaping. Vista Dunes is a wonderful project that illustrates how attractive such practical steps can be when utilized.

By Kathy Gottberg  (8/18/10)

  
         The Coachella Valley once again qualifies as the ideal test site for the latest in Solar Energy Systems—this time serving as the first private commercial rooftop beta test for the Concentrated Photovoltaic (CPV) Rooftop Solar System developed by Soliant Energy.   The 28,000 square foot commercial property selected for the assessment is owned by Bernard White & Sons, and is located on the corner of Gene Autry Trail and Tachevah in Palm Springs.  After 60 days of operation, the trial array with patent-pending tracking system is believed to be producing above projections.  According to Bernard White & Sons General Manager John Burke, this rooftop was selected because, “it is a newer high profile commercial building in Palm Springs where the owner/landlord pays the utility bills on a lease to a government tenant with high energy needs.”

          Eric Corey Freed, author, speaker and environmental architect has been a Coachella Valley resident for over a year.  He has also published a new book, “GreenSense For the Home—Rating the Real Payoff from 50 Green Home Projects.” Besides providing the most practical and approachable book on our  “Top Four Green Reads for Summer 2010,” we at Coachella Valley Green thought we’d take the opportunity to catch up with Eric and see what has been going on with him during his first full year as a local CV “greenie.”

By Kathy Gottberg  (8/4/10) 

       Summertime is usually a great time to get caught up on reading those books that have been stacking up all year long.  This summer we decided to make it easier on everyone by reviewing a few of the books on the CV Green Book List for 2010.  That way if you only have time to read one, you can select one best suited to your interests.

             #1  eaarth—making a life on a tough new planet by Bill McKibben.  This book published earlier this year by the author of the classic, “The End of Nature” qualifies as both a combination of the most disturbing and the most captivating of all.   To begin with, author McKibben explains the title, “Eaarth,” so named because we no longer live on the same old planet.   In easy to understand and read language, McKibben documents the many environmental changes and challenges now occurring around the globe, as well as predicting many potential difficulties we may face in the future.