Welcome! Viva Verde's goal is to connect community members in southern New Mexico with the local green goods, services and resources to be more energy efficient, save on energy costs, and to live more lightly on the planet. We want to promote local green businesses and organizations that are accessible to everyone and that contribute to more sustainable communities.
What's New at Viva Verde?
Viva Verde Residential Energy Efficiency Program Begins in Luna and Hidalgo Counties
FREE service can help low-income families reduce their energy costs
The Viva Verde Residential Energy Efficiency Program is accepting applications for its free service to help low-income families in Luna and Hidalgo counties reduce their energy use and save money.
The Viva Verde Residential Energy Efficiency Team will be conducting FREE home energy efficiency assessments to determine the most effective measures appropriate for each home. The Team will install weather stripping and caulking around doors and windows, replace incandescent light bulbs with longer-lasting energy efficient Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs), install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators, and check for silent leaks from toilet tanks. Households will also receive a variety of information on additional, cost-effective measures that can be implemented to save energy, including appliance rebates and other programs. Referrals will be made to local, state and federal weatherization and housing rehab programs as applicable.
After the energy efficiency improvements are complete, households may see energy savings of $100 per year. Saving energy also reduces demand for electricity and lowers power plant emissions that in turn improve air quality and our environment.
Services will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis to households in Luna and Hidalgo counties from September through November 2010. Interested households are encouraged to sign-up now to schedule their home energy assessment.
Applications can also be picked up at the Columbus Village Hall, Columbus Library, Deming City Hall, Luna and Hidalgo County Public Health Offices, and Lordsburg City Hall.
This project is funded by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s U.S.-Mexico Border 2012 Program. Project partners include: Community Action Agency of Southern New Mexico, Silver City/Grant County Office of Sustainability, and U.S. Department of Energy.
Silver City’s Electric Vehicles Exceeding Expectations!
Ves Grimes, Meter Foreman with the Town’s Meter Department, with his staff (Danny Ortiz, Manny Orosco, Grimes; Chris McNeil not pictured) in front of two Miles electric trucks used to read water meters throughout Silver City. “We’re real proud of these vehicles. They have exceeded our expectations,” glowed Grimes. Going about 30 miles per charge, each vehicle uses about 5 – 6 kWh of electricity per day costing about $1 a day to run both vehicles. Read more.
Viva Verde Stories Do you want to hear more about how people are incorporating sustainability principles into their lives, homes and businesses? Viva Verde will bring you stories from the field, so you can learn from your neighbors and be inspired to make changes yourself to save resources, energy and money and live more lightly on the planet.Go to Viva Verde Stories.
Southern New Mexico Communities and Schools
Receive Energy Efficiency Block Grant Funding
All of the hard work paid off for a number of southern New Mexico communities and schools as the results of the federal Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grants were announced last week. (http://www.governor.state.nm.us/press/2009/oct/100609_01.pdf)
Funded earlier this year through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the EECBG program helps local governments implement strategies to reduce both fossil fuel emissions and total energy use to meet energy and climate protection goals. Silver City and Grant County, Las Cruces and Doña Ana County, Alamogordo, and the Lordsburg and Silver City School Districts will all receive funding for energy efficiency measures, such as roof insulation, solar hot water, energy efficient lighting and energy management systems.
The NM Department of Transportation also received $5 million to install LED traffic lights at intersections statewide.
Grantee
Total Award
Project
Town of Silver City
approx.
$216,600
Joint Office of Sustainability with Grant County; neighborhood energy efficiency program; renewable energy financing districts
Grant County
$126,400
Joint Office of Sustainability with Grant County; neighborhood energy efficiency program; renewable energy financing districts
Las Cruces
$888,000
LEED-certified convention center
Doña Ana County
$446,900
Info not available
Alamogordo
$147,700
Municipal solar installation
Lordsburg Municipal Schools
$171,500
Replace lighting in 5 schools
Silver City Consolidated School District
$357,500
Roof insulation, solar hot water, energy management systems
Viva Verde Expo a Success! More than 550 people attended the first Viva Verde Expo to learn from more than 40 local and regional experts about sustainable solutions related to energy efficiency, local food, green building, clean energy, alternative transportation and green jobs. The Global Resource Center of Western New Mexico University was buzzing with networking and exchange of ideas as people toured the displays of 30+ green businesses and organizations. Despite the rain, attendees were also able to check out the Alternative Transportation Showcase, Bike Works bicycle repair workshop, and solar demos outside. The Green Government Symposium highlighted New Mexico’s strategic position in the “Green Economy”. With abundant renewable energy sources and the means to move that energy to markets that need it, state and federal officials said the state is poised to claim a place in the green economy similar to that of California’s Bay Area at the dawn of the Internet Age. Bringing together local leaders from various faith and spiritual traditions, the Viva Verde Expo closed with a special “Celebration of Creation” that emphasized common values of respect and stewardship for the earth. Read more.
We Want Your Feedback!
Please let us know what you thought of this year's Expo! >> Go to the Feedback page
The Viva Verde Guide
The guide is still a work in progress, but please check it out by clicking here. Hard copies of the Viva Verde Guide are currently being distributed throughout the community.
The Guide
is an educational guide and regional resource directory that features green businesses and organizations, Green Tips and an Green Marketplace. If you are a green business or organization, learn about our FREE listing and other services (like web advertising and affordable personalized webpages for your organization or business) by cicking here.
