Washoe County Green Team

Interesting. Washoe County has a team of professionals to work on the government side of building a sustainable green community. They have an excellent flier listing the statistics for their recycling programs. It is a lot of information in a single 2 page document but is great to know they are tracking the difference made in protecting the environment as well as the money saved! It also includes a list of phone numbers for residential recycling so it is a keeper.

Even more interesting is their Strategic Plan. Displaying an easy to read chart, showing annually how they are doing as far as reaching their goals. Example: Affordable Housing in 2007-2008 was at a past due stage. Really? You will readily admit to the public that all isn't perfect? I respect that kind of openess. But they even go a step farther by having an online comment section as well. Not being afraid to solicit opinions is pretty brazen and cool. Not something you see everyday in local government!

Time for a Change?

A change in climate, generous tax advantages for individuals and businesses, outdoor activities year round . Many are still looking to move to Nevada and the reasons are many. When making the change, consider the advantages of making your next home or business green. Nevada has all the wind, sun and geothermal energy necessary to live efficiently and save money. 

Homes are more affordable than ever, upgrades are becoming more affordable with more options than ever before. Roof shingles are now solar panels to be pleasing to the eye and the planet. Wind power is accessible is smaller and more efficient packages. Supply your new home with the best quality appliances have them pay for 

themselves with tax incentives and energy savings.

The world isn't going to fix itself so it is up to us to make smart financial decisions and eco friendly choices. In the future, we will all be looking at smart homes for many reasons. Currently, the recession is constantly on everyone's mind. Many people never want to allow themselves to be beholden to the actions of others. Home buying needs to be an informed process. Outdoor & Resort Properties' agents are educated about the Northern Nevada real estate market bringing the best resources in smart home buying.

Times are changing rapidly. The real estate market is showing signs of recovery. Is it time for you to make your change too?

Green home prices in Virginia City Highlands

I just can't believe what low prices we are seeing in Virginia City Highlands. That is sad and great at the same time. Look at this house built in 2006! It is a short sale what means the bank will have to take the highest and best offer.

It sits on 10 ac of land and has just about everything your heart desires. When someone has to lose, someone else wins.

Kids Go Green

To end Earth Day, I must say my kids finally get it. I mean UNDERSTAND! Hellelujah!!!

I have to give some show on Nickalodeon credit. They say something like, turn off the lights for 98 seconds and we'll save the planet. I'm writing and the kids run around the house like short lunatics to turn off lights and realize the only light on is the turtle's. They're bummed.

But it opened a door for them to understand why we are always fussing to turn off the lights, don't waste, hang the towels after showering, refill a water bottle, etc. etc. Yes, we are parents and it is our job to ride you obnoxiously, but we know what we're doing! And bless them, the light went on in their little heads.

We talked about the reasons we do what we do. It saves our family money and helps keep our planet a cleaner place. We don't live in a dirty house and we don't want a dirty planet. I was quizzed about what we've done to be more "Green". They eventually walked away listening to recycling water, changing the light bulbs, benefits of Energy Star appliances, manure in the garden instead of commercial fertilizers, building an arbor versus installing A/C and on and on and on.....

I feel for them. But maybe. Just maybe. I won't have to fuss as much about turning off the lights when they leave a room.

Earth Day 2009

Today is Earth day. It may not be a day to go out and celebrate for everyone, but it can be a day to look at your life and see what can be changed.




Reduce/Reuse/Recycle, time to make a plan to practice the 3 'R's?


Help the economy and shop for Energy Star appliances?


Put your home through an Energy Audit?

There are many ways to take care of the planet. With the world the way it is today, it is also a great time to exert control over our actions that will save money. There are many advantages personally and globally to making those changes now.

CO2 Formally Declared a Pollutant

Today in the New York Times:
The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday formally declared carbon dioxide and five other heat-trapping gases to be pollutants that threaten public health and welfare, setting in motion a process that for the first time in the United States will regulate the gases blamed for global warming.

What I don't understand is how this can be a defined a pollutant when it is also naturally occurring. There must be a measurement defining a level that has to be reached for CO2 to be a pollutant, but no one is stating what that is or even if they can measure it.

We all want to save energy and keep the planet clean. But I want to see more information about the standards and measurements used to make declarations like this. It just doesn't make sense that we jump from decreases our impact on the planet (good) to a necessary gas for life to function is a pollutant (bad). Huh?

I remember basic earth science studied in school stating CO2 was necessary for life on Earth. Has everyone forgotten this basic lesson?

From Merriam Webster, the definition for carbon dioxide

Freedom

What going green means in my neighborhood: FREEDOM.

Northern Nevada has an abundance of sunshine and wind. Buying land to build a dream home may not have power access. But solar and wind power are becoming more affordable every day. Bringing power out to a remote parcel of land can be very cost prohibitive. You have to have easements granted, purchase power poles, have them installed, line run etc. This process can easily begin at $20,000 if you are within a mile of a power line. Further out is obviously more expensive.

Many homes in remote areas take full advantage of the wind and sun by using both a wind turbine and solar panels. Since they are off the grid, they store power via batteries, unlike others who are able to sell their excess back to their power provider. Many homes off the grid still have a back up generator. For the more challenging environments a generator is security against all elements!

Of course, this has a downside too. Traditionally, banks like homes to be on the grid. There are many lenders who are more educated about green power than before but it still saves time and money to work with an experienced Realtor when it comes to buying properties like these.

Switch Your Home to Solar Power

Dream: Green Home

Finding a green home is getting easier. But it still seems that to truly be efficient, most homes need a great amount of work. If you're interested in having the most energy efficient home possible without tearing it apart, building is the best option.

With the economy going crazy and the real estate market going up and down, there are great deals available. Many people invested in land for their future dream home and have changed their mind. Northern Nevada has every opportunity listed for vacant land right now. It is definitely a buyers market so that leaves the door open for strong negotiations in the buyers favor. One of the major factors for this when buying land, is many parcels are owned, free and clear, by the seller. If not, many lenders required substantial money down on vacant land, so the sellers still have room to negotiate their asking price.

Outdoor & Resort Properties, LLC has several listings for vacant land that are an excellent start to building your ultimate dream (and green) home!

A good start:

20500 Toll Road
Virginia City Highlands NV 89521
40.13 acres

This property has views to envy. Snow capped Sierra Nevada Mountains, Reno city lights at night, PRIVACY!
It also comes with a start. Rural Northern Nevada can be tricky when it comes to accessing water. This property has the well and septic installed. The impressive part is the solar converter installed. That is a big investment so you can worry about home plans instead of the necessities required!

Department of Interior on Wind Power

Today in Atlantic City, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, speaks on the value of wind power on the East Coast. “Yes, we can build a clean energy future,” Salazar told the summit, “but it will require American energy, American ingenuity and American courage to tackle our dependence on foreign oil and the growing perils of climate change.” Read more here.


We definitely need more exploration into this technology. Currently, it takes alot of windmills to provide a modest amount of power. But once upon a time, we couldn't imagine having powerful personal computers in our homes. Increases in technology happen by leaps and bounds when there is a desirability fueling it's demand. With more research into the productivity and possibilities for a low cost source of energy happening, we are definitely heading towards a Greener tomorrow.

Obviously, I'm a fan of windpower. I see it as a major competitor for energy supply in the future. Unless the world ends, we will always have wind.

So let's build it, the wind will come!

Washoe State Tree Nursery

Good day, good news!

I have received my list in the mail for the plants offered for sale at the Washoe County Nursery. Time to plan. Time to research. This makes me a happy girl!

I have to admit, this isn't a program for everyone. You must have a minimum 1 acre property and have an evironmental purpose for planting.

From the Nursery site:

Qualifications for the purchase of plants The program is not intended to provide landscaping materials for small home lots. The purpose of the program is to provide locally adapted, affordable trees and shrubs to conserve and enhance Nevada's natural resources through conservation plantings such as:

• Erosion control
• Post-fire rehabilitation
• Wildlife habitat
• Greenbelts
• Reforestation
• Windbreaks
• Water Conservation
• Mine reclamation
• Wetland and riparian restoration
• Woodlots
  
  My needs definitely run to erosion control, wildlife habitat (birds) and water conservation. I have bought honey locust saplings that are growing great. The biggest advantage for me is the nursery provides Caragana (most people call it Russian Olive). This is a pretty plant that grows strong with no attention, extremely little water and is extraordinarily soil tolerant. I will research other options for erosion control at the top of the swale [insert link] at the top of my swale, but my final decision will be made after talking to the folks at the nursery. I have had wonderful experiences learning from the staff and they never fail to help me make better decisions about my plantings!

Bank Owned Properties in Northern Nevada

Do you want a bargain in the Northern Nevada area? Now is the time. TODAY we have 933 bank owned properties in Northern Nevada. You can now buy a condo in Reno for $29,000 starting price. Let’s face it, Is a super good time to buy. Call us right away to reserve the best deals available.

Global Warming Argument

I've been part of several discussions about the validity of the Global Warming argument. I have read very articulate information by experts on both sides of the argument. Figuring out who is right can be very difficult since I'm not a scientist, or expert on the enviroment.

But.

1. We can't depend on oil forever. There is the entire 'peak oil' concept. Obviously, there isn't an unlimited supply and oil is supplied by a limited number of consortiums. That is too much concentrated power to have over our needs.


2. It is obvious that the world climate is changing. It is obvious we are trashing our only planet. What is wrong with making it cleaner, just in case Global Warming caused by people is real?

Some people are vehemently opposed to the idea of Global Warming. My question is, if the effects of changing our practices make the world a better place, why are people foaming at the mouth every time the subject is brought up? I just don't get it. And when I don't get it, I want a reasonable argument why.

From the Global Warming Hoax blog... "But, my friends, carbon dioxide is NOT a pollutant. It is a naturally occurring trace gas essential to life on earth. Simply reducing CO2 levels does nothing to reduce real pollution. It does nothing to clean up our streams and rivers from dangerous mercury contamination. It does nothing to prevent sewage from polluting our drinking supplies. It doesn’t fix holes in the ozone layer, nor does it stop landfill chemicals from leaching into ground water. Even if CO2 levels plummeted in the next 20 years, we’d still have pollution problems."

Gotcha! That makes sense. There are scientist in this world, analyzing the data presented about Man-Made Global Warming, and wanting people to understand this issue isn't the biggest, baddest evil to our planet. CO2 is necessary for our planet to exist. I would still argue that everything has to be in balance and too much anything can be a bad thing. But, he (and others) go on to argue that we can put all of our energy into decreasing CO2 levels when we have other real pollutants being ignored.

Ultimately, all arguments are about balance. We can't forget to dispose of chemicals properly, pick up litter to keep them out of streams, etc.

Northern Nevada Bargains

Do you want a bargain in Northern Nevada? Time has finally arrived. Interest rates are lower than ever, and prices are lower than ever. You can now buy a house in Northern Nevada for $75,000 starting price. Call us right away to reserve the best deals available.

My Definition of Carbon Footprint

From Economics 101: Every decision we make in life has a cost.

1. Take a drink of soda? The cost can be calories.


2. Try a new shampoo? The cost can be disatisfaction, or a real expense in price change.


3. Ride a bicycle? Increased exhaustion.

These are just examples of how every decision we make daily has a cost.

I mention this because this the thinking necessary to understand the concept of a Carbon Footprint.

I've read some pretty complicated definitions of Carbon Footprint, but many seem to make the eyes cross before even getting to the end. SO many people throw the term around. I have come across more than a few people that admit they really can't define what it means. I'm going to break it down in the way that I understand Carbon Footprint to work.

A Carbon Footprint is the affect of every decision we make in regards to the environment. What is the cost to the environment for transportation, home heating, our choice of groceries, etc?

Break it down a bit more....

There are two types of Carbon Footprint: Primary and Secondary

Primary is a direct cost to the environment: Driving a vehicle with a combustion engine emits exhaust to the atmosphere causing an increase in greenhouse gas.

Secondary is an indirect cost to the environment: When buying imported groceries, the additional transport requirement increases greenhouse gas.

Every choice we make, be it the regular 'paper or plastic', has a cost to our environment. To make a difference, people have to learn to look at the cost of decisions made every day. The difficulty is there are so many choices we have always taken for granted.

It is going to take time, but I believe knowledge is power. And with knowledge, understanding our habits can make changing our daily choises easier.

Save Your Receipts!

The tax credits for increasing the energy efficiency of your home are growing. It only makes sense, that to encourage Green Living, the IRS would allow for more energy efficient deductions. As well as the energy savings monthly, tax savings is the best way to convince everyone to save energy!

From the Energy Star website
The only energy efficiency improvements that are eligible for a tax credit in 2008 are:
geothermal heat pumps (30%, up to $2,000)
solar water heaters (30%, up to $2,000)
solar panels (30%, up to $2,000)
small wind energy systems (30%, up to $4,000)
fuel cells (30%, up to $1500 per .5 kW of power capacity)

Tax credits are available at 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, in 2009 & 2010 (for existing homes only) for:
Windows & doors
Roofing (metal & asphalt)
Insulation
HVAC
Water Heaters (non-solar)
In addition to the 2008 credits already available…

Please read more at the Energy Star website for more details

A Conversation About Wind Energy

I was part of an interesting conversation the other day about windmill farms. Our town, Virginia City, is in a raging debate about allowing a wind energy project to take place in our county. So far, I understand the majority to be against the project. Personally, I think it would be great, but a neighbor mentions 2 opposing opinions that I found to be legitimate concerns.

First, Virginia City is a historic town. The rest of the world is changing, but our local economy really depends on not seeing that change take place here. Wind projects have a large visual impact and that would be a contradiction to the ‘old West’ goal of the town. Talk about a rock and a hard place.

Second, they are an oddity. That is the exact word used and I thought it fit well. Using the example of driving to Palm Springs, you see massive wind farms that are just different from anything you see in nature. From a distance, you may compare the vast expanse of windmills to cranes that are moving their wings, but never actually taking off in flight. Up close, they are massive and intimidating. Describing them as an oddity seems to fit.

Then the conversation turns again. Why are they white? If the windmills were painted a more natural color, they would blend into the environment more, becoming a bit less of an oddity.

Today I googled this question and I haven’t found an expert answer as to why the windmills are white. I have found that others question this too when communities do not complain about noise or danger. Instead, communities complain that they are ugly.

I hope our county could find a location that will work. That will only happen if a compromise is met to enable the windmills to fade into the background and not be a contrary existence to the historic objective of our community.



*Technically, I should say wind turbine. But many people still think of them as wind mills so I share this story as it took place.

New Green Home Listing

I just put up a post over at Outdoor Living, but since it is relevant to Green Home Living, I'm going to mention it here.

Jeni just listed a very unique property. Off the grid, private and located on 40 acres with wonderful water, this home has more potential for green living than most.

Have a look at Could You Imagine This Life?

Shopping Made a Little Bit Easier!

After 100 years of the Seal of Approval, Good Housekeeping is keeping up with the times by adding a new seal. The Green Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.

Good Housekeeping has been a trusted source of testing products, so it is good to see them using their resources to help the consumer figure out what is true in this current trend of 'green products'. I've been overwhelmed by the green marketing efforts companies have made, and I figured many other people have been too. This comes as a relief for those busy people who really don't have the time to research their options before making purchases. When you see the seal on a product, you know it has been independently studied to meet their stringent criteria.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Celebrate green, have a wonderful time and be safe!