WPB e4 Sustainability Summit: Feb 10-25th
Jan 24, 2012 - Sustainability
The 4th Annual e4 Sustainability Summit: Sustainable World will be kicking off on Feb.10 at the West Palm Beach Waterfront Commons. Join us in the Lake Pavilion for our Opening Reception! There will be music, refreshments, and the Grand Opening of our SITES Green Revolution- Sustainable World Exhibition. Following the opening of the Exhibit, join Screen on the Green and enjoy Avatar on the big screen, while sitting underneath the stars at the West Palm Beach Waterfront.
The SITES Green Revolution – Sustainable World Exhibition will be on display from February 10-25. This exhibition features sustainable living workshops and movies. Find the schedule here!
The two weeks of movies and workshops, along with the exhibition will lead up to our Green Expo day on Saturday, February 25 from 8am-2pm! This will include over 40 green businesses and organizations, as well as Cycling Activities, Recycled Fashion Show by Garbage Gone Glam and a performance by our local West Palm Beach student, singing “Sustainable World”.
Go to www.wpb.org/e4 for Summit details along with exhibitor application information and sponsorship opportunities.
More Trees to Grace Clear Lake Shoreline
Aug 30, 2011 - Sustainability
Funds provided to city by the Urban and Community Forest grant program
As a result of $18,210 in funding awarded by the Urban and Community Forest grant program, the shoreline of Clear Lake will be getting greener. The money will be used to plant trees which will serve as natural enhancement to Australian Avenue, providing visual aesthetics while buffering the city’s drinking water supply.
The trees also benefit the community by showcasing the different tree species and demonstrating their importance to the environment. The planted trees will eventually grow to become part of the urban forest being developed along Clear Lake.
Mayor Jeri Muoio Supports Initiative to Promote Solar Energy
Aug 23, 2011 - Mayor's Office, Sustainability
City of West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio has signed a letter of commitment for the SunShot Initiative. The move is in support of Palm Beach County’s grant proposal which is headed for the U.S. Department of Energy.
The funding would be used to remove barriers that make solar energy more costly and therefore, discourage its use. The grant’s title specifies its goal, “Palm Beach County renewable energy streamlining and standardization initiative.”
The project would bring together 14 municipalities, including West Palm Beach, as well as Florida Power and Light and utility and solar industry leaders. Keeping permitting costs low for green energy projects as well as prompt review and approval would be primary goals.
Mayor Muoio believes a comprehensive green energy strategy has many benefits, “The most obvious benefactor is our environment. But the jobs created as the components are manufactured and installed will also boost the local economy. And those who go green will realize a great reduction in energy costs over time. It’s really a win-win for West Palm Beach and the county as a whole.”
Palm Beach County has a population of 1.3 million and West Palm Beach has over 100,000 residents so this latest green energy initiative can have a significant impact in South Florida.
Extreme Drought Prompts One Day Watering in WPB
Jun 08, 2011 - Mayor's Office, Public Utilities, Sustainability
The City of West Palm Beach and the region as a whole is in an extreme drought. The rain deficit has affected all area communities including our primary water supplies at Grassy Waters Preserve, Lake Mangonia and Clear Lake. Our lakes have dropped dramatically over the past several weeks and with no rainfall water supply levels are becoming critical.
Due to current drought conditions, the City of West Palm Beach through the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is initiating one day a week irrigation restrictions. These restrictions become effective Monday, June 13, 2011.
The tighter restrictions affect all City of West Palm Beach water service area customers including the Town of Palm Beach and the Town of South Palm Beach. Customers with odd number residences may only water using irrigation systems on Wednesday’s from 4:00 am to 8:00 am. Even number addresses, which include common areas and multi-family dwellings may only use irrigation systems on Thursday’s from 4:00 am to 8:00 am. Hand watering may be done on the same days from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm for 10 minutes. These restrictions include usage from the City’s potable drinking water system, internal community lake or canal systems, or any other water conveyance inside the City’s utility service area.
Please help to inform your friends and neighbors and take steps to reduce water usage. The City will actively enforce this necessary conservation effort.
To view the Declaration of Water Shortage, One-Day-A-Week Landscape Irrigation Restrictions, and Resolution No. 163-11, click here.
30 Things You Can Do To Save Water
In the bathroom:
1. Shorten your shower. A one or two minute reduction can save up to 700 gallons of water each month. If possible take a shallow bath instead of a shower for even greater water savings.
2. Replace your showerhead with low-flow showerheads or install flow restrictors
3. Put trash in the wastebasket – don’t flush! Each time you flush a small bit of trash you waste up to five to seven gallons of water.
4. Check for leaks in your toilets. Drop a dye tablet in your toilet tank or add a few drops of food coloring and let stand for at least three hours. If the color begins to appear in the bowl without flushing, your toilet has a leak and could be wasting thousands of gallons of water each year. Repair those leaks!
5. When brushing your teeth, wet your toothbrush, then, turn off the water.
6. Rinse your razor in a partially filled sink instead of under a running tap.
7. Check faucets and pipes for leaks. Replace worn washers. Small drips from worn washers can waster 20 or more gallons a day. Large leaks can waste hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water.
8. Put a plastic bottle in your toilet. Fill the bottle with water and a small amount of pebbles (to weigh it down) and place it in your tank, away from operating mechanisms. Your plastic bottle works like a displacement bag.
9. While waiting for your bath water to get warm, place a bucket under the faucet to catch the cold water and then use it to water your plants.
10. Building or remodeling your home? Ensure only ultra-low flush (U.L.F.) toilets and faucets are installed.
In the kitchen and laundry:
11. Keep a bottle of water in the refrigerator for drinking. Don’t run the tap waiting for cold water.
12. Rinse vegetables in a pan of water – not under a running tap.
13. Use your dishwasher and washing machine for full loads only.
14. Never leave the water running if you wash dishes by hand. Fill one sink with soapy water and one with clear water. If you have only one sink use a dish rack and rinse with hot water.
15. Use the smallest amount of detergent possible when washing dishes by hand. This reduces the amount of water needed.
16. Check your kitchen/bath pipes and faucets for leaks and replace worn washers immediately.
17. Use the garbage disposal less and the garbage can more often. Better yet, compost!
18. Defrost frozen foods in the microwave or refrigerator, instead of under running water.
Outdoors:
19. Water your lawn in the early morning based upon current water restrictions when there is less evaporation.
20. Plant drought-resistant native trees and plants. There are many beautiful plants and trees that thrive on small amounts of water.
21. Don’t let your children play with the hose and sprinklers.
22. Place a layer of mulch around trees and plants. Mulch slows evaporation of moisture and discourages weed growth.
23. Don’t water your lawn on a windy day to prevent excessive evaporation.
24. Set lawn mower blades on notch higher since longer grass means less evaporation.
25. If you have a pool, use a pool cover to cut down on evaporation.
26. Don’t water the sidewalk. Adjust sprinklers so they miss the sidewalks, driveway, and street.
27. Water only when your lawn really needs it. If the grass springs back after you step on it, there is no need to water it .
28. Check for leaks in hoses, faucets, pipes and couplings. Outside leaks can waste just as much as those inside.
29. Sweep sidewalks and driveways. Don’t hose them down.
30. Do not wash your car at home, use a carwash (they use recycled water).
Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Opening Ceremony
May 31, 2011 - Mayor's Office, Parking, Sustainability
Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Opening Ceremony
Tesla Roadster, Nissan Leaf, Gold Coast Electric Auto Association to participate
The City of West Palm Beach and the Office of Sustainability will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony introducing the City’s first electric vehicle charging stations to be held on June 3, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. on the third floor of the Clematis Street Garage located at 500 Clematis Street. Mayor Muoio and City Commissioners will participate as we plug into the future of alternative fuel vehicles.
Several electric vehicles will be on location and charging on the new stations. Tesla Motors will feature the fully electric powered Roadster sports car. Florida Power and Light will be plugging in a Nissan Leaf and the Gold Coast Electric Auto Association will be showcasing member cars ranging from a Chevy Volt to custom conversions.
The City has utilized Department of Energy grant funding to install a total of seven Level II (240 volt) charging stations within the Clematis Street and City Center Garages. Two of the six charging stations in the Clematis Garage (3rd floor) have been dedicated for use by the public with City Parking Administration providing the electricity free of charge.
Then, on Wednesday June 15 (6:00 – 7:00 pm) the City library will host a free electric vehicle informational presentation. Learn about building and converting your own electric vehicle!
