COMMUNITY COMMENTARY:

Are you remodeling? Do you need a new water heater, roof, or windows that require permits?

Costa Mesa can save you money while saving the environment by offering fee waivers for green installation and express planning and building division plan checks through June 30.

Under the city’s Build Green Incentive Program, all or a portion of the fees will be waived for green installations of Grade A roofs, certain energy-efficient windows and doors, solar panels for your home or pool, energy-efficient pool pumps, skylights, domestic tankless water heaters, gray water systems and similar conservation technology.

A rebate may also be offered for green certification. Build green plans will also be given priority in processing along with the option of preferred morning or afternoon inspections.

The Build Green Incentive Program encourages the elements of green building, which include site design, energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor air quality and material selection. A green-certified building has 50% less negative impact on the environment than a standard building.

Residents and businesses have taken advantage of this program. Savings vary from $32 to $3,000 or more, depending on your project size and needs.

Businesses and organizations such as C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, which owns Park Plaza, Center Tower and Park Tower, FORMA, Coast Community College District, Costa Mesa Sanitary District and the Eastern Municipal Water District are all going green.

The Build Green Incentive Program is part of Costa Mesa’s adopted Sustainable Municipal Green Policy, aimed at increasing energy efficiency, conserving natural resources, promoting a healthy work environment and environmental responsibility.

As a public agency, we are working for you. We are working toward greenest city status with all new municipal facilities Costa Mesa is striving to have 40% to 50% less impact on the environment based on the U.S. Green Building Council’s standards.

City staff is also working on a program that changes operation policies and practices from purchasing to transportation, to water conservation and construction.

For further information on the Build Green Incentive Program, contact Building Official Khanh Nguyen at (714) 754-5277. For helpful resources visit www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us/ departments/green-building/ green-bldg.htm. A list of vendors and services are also available at katrinafoley.com

E-mail me at [email protected] to share how your family or business is going green and saving money, too.

KATRINA FOLEY is a Costa Mesa city councilwoman.