Green Gables

		With so much attention being paid to the environment lately, it’s not hard to notice when a government entity does something to impact planet earth. Demonstrating that Coral Gables government is going green, it recently became the first municipality in Miami-Dade County to begin testing the use of biodiesel fuel in City vehicles. A few selected garbage vehicles are now being powered by a blend of 20 percent biodiesel made from palm oil and 80 percent petroleum diesel. This environmentally friendly fuel cocktail is said to significantly reduce harmful emissions coming from City vehicles making Coral Gables a beautiful City to look –and yes, inhale. The results of this testing is still up in the air, but if proven to reduce those ghastly carbon dioxides releases, expect the City to use this friendly biodiesel mixture in more of its vehicles. In theory, the City is also supporting the need to address the issue of climate disruption by signing the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and the Kyoto Treaty. The accord requires that federal, state, and local government work together to reduce air pollutants and therefore global warming. Coral Gables has already implemented the popular Trolley as a transportation option, not only free and convenient service, but also decreases the amount of vehicle emissions in the air.
	The City of Coral Gables has been at the forefront of energy efficiency and green initiatives for over 10 years. One of the first items to be replaced in all City facilities was light bulbs. Incandescent bulbs being used were replaced with compact florescent bulbs which are longer lasting and use less power. Electrical timers were installed in all parking lots, garages, parks and City facilities effectively managing the hours in which lights are turned on and off. Electric/automated thermostats are more precise and so the City has replaced manual devices with the digital thermostats for accurate temperature control. During the peak hours of energy usage, the City’s Police Station switches to generator power. The move not only conserves energy, but also gives the City the opportunity to test its generator. An example of the compact florescent light bulbs the City uses. Electrical timers control the lights at all City facilities and parks. Recycling bins are conveniently located in break rooms and cafeterias at City facilities for employees to use. Internally, a number of employees take advantage of the City’s recycling program and discard aluminum cans in designated receptacles. Sending emails instead of paper is encouraged whenever possible. Office lights are turned off at the end of the day along with all non-essential equipment. This simple step reduces the energy used by approximately 25 percent. Metered parking space on Miracle Mile was turned into a serene garden for a day. In September 2007, Coral Gables partnered with the Trust for Public Land on a special event that took place simultaneously in several cities throughout the country. A metered parking space on Miracle Mile was transformed into a park. The transformation took just a few hours of work by employees of the Public Service Department. The green space was designed by Public Service Director and arborist Dan Keys. The event helped explain to the community the City’s commitment to conserving land for public projects such as parks, gardens and natural areas. Many of the City’s parks, entrances and landscapes are planted with drought resistant shrubs, trees and flowers, cutting down on water consumption and in turn promoting Florida’s native vegetation. The use of drought tolerant plants promotes water conservation. Coral Gables is a testing site for solar powered crosswalks. Miami-Dade County has installed one such crosswalk at Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Suarez Avenue. The pedestrian crosswalk is equipped with solar panels which power the crossing. A battery backup has the capability of operating for up to five days without charging. The City’s proactive measures in promoting an environmentally sustainable future for the next generation have generated a lot of attention. For its continuing green efforts, the Broward Audubon Society presented Coral Gables the 2007 Protector of the Climate Award. On February 24, 2007, the City was awarded the 2007 Protector of the Climate Award by the Broward Audubon Society. For details about all the rules on the water restrictions, use the following URL to access the Miami Web site: www.miami.about.com/od/natureenvironment/a/wateringrules.htm www.Miamidadewaterandsewer.com Links Climate Change - What You Can Do:http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/home.html On the Road:http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/road.html At the Office:http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/office.html At School:http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/school.html Serve to Preserve: http://www.myfloridaclimate.com/env/home/ Managing Pollution:http://www.miamidade.gov/derm/pollution_management.asp