The City of Walnut is constantly looking to restore our natural and community resources and to pursue new and innovative programs and grants in our efforts to “Go Green.” Here is a summary of some recent successful grants and projects.

Green Grants

California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) FY 2011/12 Rubberized Pavement Grant Program 
This grant was made available by CalRecycle to public entities involved in activities and applications that resulted in reduced landfill disposal of used whole tires and reduced illegal disposal or stockpiling of used whole tires. 

On October 25, 2011, the City of Walnut applied for this grant for the Temple Avenue resurfacing project. The Temple Avenue project begins just east of the intersection of Grand and Temple Avenues and ends at the eastern City limit. The Grant was awarded to the City by CalRecycle on January 20, 2012. The project was completed in June of 2012. Use of RAC material in this project diverted 8,997 California waste passenger tires from landfills. 

© 2012 by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). All right reserved. This publication, or pats thereof, may not be reproduced without permission from CalRecycle.

ARRA Grant - California Energy Commission

In June of 2010, the City of Walnut was awarded a grant by the California Energy Commission’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Small Cities and Counties Grant Program for the purpose of conducting energy efficiency projects. 
The grant funds, in the amount of $172,264, were funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The funds received by Walnut were designated to replace the inefficient heating/cooling system at the City’s Maintenance Services and Recreation offices as well as assorted light fixtures in City buildings. In addition, a global controller was installed to allow for pre-programmed, remote access to heating/cooling and lighting in all City facilities, thus preventing waste and saving electricity when facilities, even individuals rooms, are not in use. 

2009 Rubberized Asphalt Concrete (RAC) Grant

This grant awarded the City was used towards resurfacing Grand Avenue. This grant was made available to public entities involved in activities and applications that result in reduced landfill disposal of used tires and reduced illegal disposal/stockpiling of used tires. A percentage of the material for this project was made from California recycled tires. This not only help divert used tires from our landfills, it also provided our residents with a long-lasting roadway.

“Green Trees for The Golden State” Grant
Thanks to this grant from the State of California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, in the summer of 2008 Walnut was able to plant new trees on our parkways and open spaces. Many of the trees planted replaced ones which had been removed because of disease or destruction. Planting trees is an environmentally friendly and efficient way to increase the aesthetics and environmental health of a community. Residents will be able to enjoy the benefits of this project for years to come.

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Refueling Station Improvements 
In our on-going efforts to better prepare for the future and help maintain a clean and healthy environment, the City of Walnut recently expanded the capacity of our CNG Refueling Station at the Maintenance Department and Recreation Services Building. The station has expanded in capacity and speed of fueling. This improvement was made possible by a grant through the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Restoration Projects

William R. Rowland Adobe-Redwood Ranch House Restoration
The City of Walnut is using RZH Urban Open Space and Recreation block grant money from State of California Department of Parks and Recreation to restore the Adobe Ranch House. The Ranch house is one of the remaining original ranch style adobe and redwood structures in the area. Over the years, weather and natural land movement have impacted the structure. Upcoming restoration activities will address the protection of the adobe brick and the seismic stability of the Ranch House. Conducting such repair and restoration will enable the City to properly maintain this important historic building and allow tours to once again be conducted. The first phase of restoration was completed March 2009. The second phase which involves addressing water flow near the Adobe was completed in August 2009.