No one can deny that emissions from automobiles are bad for the environment. The surge in the hybrid passenger vehicle market — both by manufacturers and consumers — can attest to the concern over relying on fossil fuels and the damage they can cause.

To some, these concerns are persuasive enough to denounce cars all together. And while that’s not inherently a bad idea, it’s also not plausible for most people in a society that was literally built around vehicle roads.

To help appease the minds of those car owners who simply cannot get rid of their vehicles for practicality reasons, there’s now the option of parking it in a green parking garage.

A new parking garage in Santa Monica features photovoltaic roof panels, a storm drain water treatment system, recycled construction materials and energy efficient mechanical systems. It even hopes to become LEED certified.

But is does “green parking garage” seem almost like an oxymoron?

Some environmentalist Web sites practically take offense at the idea of the green garage, but I’m more realistic. While the concept is a bit laughable, if people continue to drive private passenger vehicles (and they will), why not have green parking garages? While this particular garage is a bit of an eyesore, I think it’s a concept that could be expanded upon. After all, there’s plenty of parking garages around, and they’re not going to go away anytime soon.