Las Vegas is going "green"

Las Vegas mayor Oscar Goodman has been the driving force behind the "greening of Las Vegas. He was one of the first mayors to sign the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement which now has over 1000 signatures of mayors around the country.

It probably shouldn't be a surprise that the residents of Las Vegas are turning "green." Vegas hosts a huge percentage of the conventions nationwide, and of course, that includes "green technology conventions, so they are no strangers to the "green concept.

Going green makes sense too, economically, in an area of such extremes. Expenses to live there must be astronomical just because of the temperature extremes. Average temperatures are above 100 degrees at least 3 months of the year. And, can you imagine what the water bills must be like? The average rainfall in Vegas per month is less than 1/2 inch. Many months are less than 1/4 inch. Total average rainfall for the city is just over 4 inches per year. Still Vegas does have the strictest water use laws in the country for residents.

The city of Las Vegas has a fleet of 1500 vehicles, 90% of which run on alternative fuels. This fleet includes hybrid vehicles, cars and trucks that run on reformulated gasoline, and they even have hydrogen fueled vehicles.

Vegas also has a green building program, which gives tax breaks to developers for building energy efficient structures.

The city buildings all have strict energy consumption standards, and many of the casinos are adopting some of those standards as well. Lighting, air conditioning and heating, and whatever else they can covert to the newest and the best is being purchased and installed by casinos in an effort to be "greener," and of course save costs for the casinos.

But, Vegas does not look like a green city. Walk down the main boulevards in casino land, and the flashing neon lights and extravagant fountains spewing water that probably evaporates almost as quickly as it hits the hot summer air, look anything but green.

It is gratifying to know that Las Vegas is making some effort at energy conservation. You would think that the climate there would be perfect though for solar panels to power those enormous energy gobbling casinos, wouldn't you?

Should we watch for a LEED certified casino anytime soon?

Resources:
Vegas.com
Weather
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas (and goes green?)
Las Vegas Fleet is 90% green