Green Ventura

Green Initiative 

 

 

 

 

In 2007,  Ventura's City Council adopted the Green Initiative. The Green Initiative is the first of many steps toward the City's goal of becoming a national model for sustainability. Since its adoption, the City has completed a Green House Gas Inventory which was certified and registered by the California Climate Action Registry, as well as joined the Sierra Club Cool Cities Program and ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability.

 

The City also began a "Get Your Green On" campaign that encompassed 10 action items. These items are as follows:

 

1. Footprint:

 

Identify the City's Carbon Footprint and inventory greenhouse gas emissions for all City Operations.

 

2. Green Buildings:

 

Retrofit existing City buildings in order to qualify for LEED EB and/or Energy Star Certification.

 

3. Green Fleet:

 

Set a Tier One Performance Measure Goal to reduce City fleet gasoline use by 5% below FY 06-07' baseline and 10% in FY 08-09'. The City should also attempt to use biodiesel fuel in all diesel equipment. 

 

4.  Energy Usage:

 

Increase Tier One Performance Measure goal to reduce City energy usage by 5% below FY 06-07' baseline in FY 07-08' and 10% in FY 08-09', as well as implement the following:

 

• 1) Remove extra refridgerators, heaters, ect... from City facilities.
• 2) Purchase only Energy Star rated equipment and appliances for City Use.
• 3) Turn off all lights (except in hallways) at 6:00 pm.
• 4) Unplug any devices that are not currently charging.
• 5) As needed, replace all CRT monitors with flat screen monitors and progran all monitors to shutdown at 12:00 am.
• 6) Insulate heaters and set HVAC systems to more efficient temperature levels (+/- 3 degrees)

 

5. Green Purchasing:

 

Develop and implement a comprehensive Green Preference Purchasing Policy.

 

6. Trees:

 

Double the amount of trees planted annually. Beginning in FY 08-09' and increase the use of native plants and xeriscape planting in parks, medians, and City facilities.

 

7. Green Business:

 

Expand recognition, retention and recruitment efforts for "green businesses." Collaborate with the Chamber of Commerce, DVP and other groups in order to promote green business practices.

 

8. Waste Reduction:

 

Implement Waste Reduction programs to achieve 70% diversion of solid waste. 

 

9. Construction Waste Reduction:

 

Require new construction/demolition projects to divert at least 50% of their waste from the landfill.

 

10. Promote Green Leadership:

 

Promote leadership with City Staff by implementing the following:

 

• 1) Provide incentives for ride-sharing, walking, or alternative transportation to/from work.
• 2) Assign department Environmental Coordinators.
• 3) Work with coordinators to develop citywide sustainability policy and/or programs.
• 4) Set all copiers to print double-sided.
• 5) Make sure every office has a desk side recycling container.
• 6) Encourage employees to combine multiple out-of-office errands and trips.
• 7) Utilize web board for internal environmental dialog.
• 8) Provide recycling containers at all City events and functions.

 

Learn More

 

Most Venturans are passionate about our environment, whether it is recycling trash, keeping our beaches clean or protecting our hillsides. You probably didn't know that your City embraces that same vision. Here are some of the things we are doing to think globally and act locally:

 

• Ventura City Manager Rick Cole Surveys Green Clout of Local Government to Transform 'The Way We Live'

 

You probably didn't know that your City embraces that same vision. Here are some of the things we are doing to think globally and act locally:

 

• In the last two years, we've reduced electricity usage by 25% in City facilities, saving money and reducing carbon emissions by 1.2 million pounds per year.
• By investing in solar and other renewable forms of energy, we've cut carbon emissions by 3.1 million pounds a year.
• By using hybrid electric vehicles, we've reduced gasoline use by 1,500 gallons a year.
• We offer and expedited plan-check process for new buildings and additions that meet national "green building" standards.
  • Building and Safety's Green Building Forms
• Construction is underway to improve water quality at Surfers Point by diverting dry weather runoff from the storm drain systems into the sewer system for treatment.
• We're operating the new Community Park without pesticides and our goal is to eliminate pesticides in all parks within 5 years.

 

To learn more about the Green Initiative and the Get Your Green On campaign check out the following document: Administrative Report for the Green Initiative.

 

To learn more about what your City is doing -- and how you can help keep Ventura green -- www.venturasenvironment.com