New Appliance Rebate Program for 2010

Soon, U.S. residents will be able to take advantage of a new Appliance Rebate Program that encourages homeowners to trade-in older, less energy efficient appliances for newer, more efficient models. The Appliance Rebate Program will run through February 2012, or until its budget of $300 million is spent.

Under this new program, people who recycle their old washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators etc. will receive $50-$100 from the government towards the purchase of new appliances to replace the old ones.

The State of Texas will implement a mail-in rebate program to help residents replace appliances with new, ENERGY STAR^® qualified and ultra-efficient appliances. The program is tentatively scheduled to begin in April 2010 to coincide with Earth Day activities, and will continue until funds are expended.

Eligible products include

• Refrigerators
• Freezers
• Clothes washers
• Dishwashers
• Room air conditioners
• Gas condensing water heaters
• Gas storage water heaters
• Gas tankless water heaters
• Electric heat pump water heaterss
• Solar water heaters
• Central air conditioners
• Air source heat pumps

Customers may reserve their rebates online before the program begins, and can also obtain a bonus rebate by providing proof that their old appliances were recycled through a State Energy Conservation Office partner retailer or recycling center.

The State of Texas is scheduled to receive $23,341,000 in funding from the Appliance Rebate Program. It is best to take advantage of this program early before all the funding is spent.

For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Energy

Natural Gas Fueling Station Arrives at Austin Airport

In February, construction will begin on a new natural gas fuel station at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Yesterday, the City of Austin awarded Clean Energy Fuels Corp. from California a $1 million contract to build a 17,000-square- foot facility that will be open to the public 24-hours a day. The fuel station plans to support the growing number of airport and parking courtesy shuttles that run on compressed natural gas (CNG). In April, Clean Energy Fuels signed a contract with The Parking Spot to transition its shuttle buses to a CNG fuel system at all of their 18 locations, including Austin, Dallas and Houston.

Energy Efficiency Displays for Homes

Soon, homeowners will be able to install "energy efficiency displays" that provide information about their home's energy consumption. These displays will allow consumers to monitor their electricity use and make adjustments to optimize efficiency. This information will also be available online, thanks to the expansion of smart grid technologies and new software from Google and Microsoft that will allow people to track their energy usage over the internet. The goal of these "Smart Grid 2.0" programs is to make consumers aware of their energy consumption and help them live more energy efficient lives. Such web-based programs could be accessed on mobile devices, giving people access to information about their home's energy usage while they are away.

Part of the recent federal stimulus package for smart grid improvements (PDF) will be set aside for installing and testing home energy efficiency displays, with pilot programs planned for Colorado, Louisiana and Vermont.

Obama Proposes Additional Energy Efficiency Rebates

For the last two weeks President Obama has been promoting the next phase of the Cash for Caulkers stimulus plan, advocating that further funding will only expand on the current success the program has had on creating jobs and increasing energy efficiency. Last week, the Obama administration proposed a new program that would expand funding for homeowners' efficiency projects and for companies in the renewable energy and efficiency space. Under this proposed program, homeowners would qualify for a 50 percent rebate on both the price of the equipment and the installation, up to $12,000, with no income restrictions to determine eligibility.

At a speech on Tuesday, Obama again highlighted the need for continuing and expanding energy efficiency programs: "The simple act of retrofitting these buildings to make them more energy efficient — installing new windows and doors, insulation, roofing, sealing leaks, modernizing heating and cooling equipment — is one of the fastest, easiest and cheapest things we can do to put Americans back to work while saving families money and reducing harmful emissions," Obama said.

He also disagreed with those who think energy efficiency isn't glamorous, stating "Here's what's sexy about it: saving money."

City of Austin to Suspend Toilet Rebate Program

The Austin Water Utility has stopped taking rebate applications for high-efficiency toilets. The rebate program has been part of the utility's conservation effort to promote newer, more efficient appliances that use less water. According to the city, high-efficiency toilets use 63 percent less water than older models. The toilet rebate program has become so popular and the city has received so many applications that it can no longer afford to accept any additional applicants.

The change comes a month after the City Council approved an additional $3 million for the program, as well as $500,000 for promotional efforts. Those funds will cover the rush of applications the department has received in recent weeks, but nothing more, according to Austin Water Utility's conservation director Daryl Slusher. He also said that toilet rebate applications already submitted will be honored if they meet the city's other eligibility rules, but that additional applications will no longer be accepted. Previously, utility customers could get up to $200 in rebates for replacing their toilets.

For more information, visit the Austin Water Utility.

New York City passes energy efficiency bills for buildings

On Wednesday, the New York City Council voted to pass a series of bills that aim to help reduce the city's carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2020. The hundreds of thousands of buildings in New York account for 79 percent of the city's energy use and carbon emissions. New regulations will require building owners to conduct an energy audit every 10 years and perform environmental maintenance, such as replacing weather stripping and insulating hot and cold steam pipes.

With New York City passing this kind of legislation, look for other major U.S. cities to propose similar energy efficiency bills of their own in the coming year.

Smart Grid Technology in Austin, Texas

Austin now has the first “Smart Grid” in the country, covering one million consumers and 43,000 businesses. A smart grid is comprised of the electric grid, a communications network, and hardware and software all integrated to monitor, control and manage the distribution, storage and consumption of energy. Smart meters, programmable thermostats, and sensors located throughout the grid all upload live data about power consumption patterns, allowing Austin Energy to optimize electric distribution, efficiency and performance. Smart meters provide information about demand, sensors monitor strain on the grid, and programmable thermostats control air conditioning systems during peak demand hours.

The 410,000 smart meters installed at homes and businesses around Austin relay consumption data to the smart grid every 15 minutes. These smart meters provide information about supply and demand, as well as give accurate reports of failures during power outages.

Austin Energy’s 86,000 programmable thermostats are linked to the smart grid and receive updates about the grid’s electricity load, which they use to program air conditioning cycles to run minimally during times of peak demand. Not only does this reduce strain on the grid and help prevent power outages, but it greatly reduces the consumer’s electric bill, as electricity used during times of peak demand is charged to the customer at a more expensive rate.

Further upgrades to the smart grid that are currently being planned include real-time meter reads, remote service turn-on and shut-off, quicker outage restoration, communication with smart consumer appliances, and hybrid vehicle plug-in stations.

There are currently around 70 smart grid test sites throughout the country, including programs in Houston, Miami and Seattle. With Austin Energy’s commitment to get 30 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2020, this type of smart grid implementation will make it easier to create and manage further energy efficiency solutions.

Obama Supports Further Weatherization Incentives

Yesterday, President Barack Obama said that he plans to pursue an "aggressive agenda" to encourage homeowners to weatherize and insulate their homes. While the president has previously pushed for Americans to improve their home energy efficiency on the grounds of conservation, yesterday's statement comes from the context of job growth and creation.

Already, economic models are forecasting that within the next two years, current weatherization stimulus funds will lead to the creation of over 173,000 jobs. However, the president believes that further incentives are needed to keep the jobs growing. “We cannot hang back and hope for the best when we’ve seen the kinds of job losses that we’ve seen over the last year,” Obama said, and that creating incentives for homeowners and businesses to weatherize “can have an immediate, rapid impact.”

For more information, read a report (PDF) on the expected and already created job growth from weatherization incentives, prepared by Economic Opportunity Studies.

New Solar-Powered Plane Takes First Flight

A Swiss plane named the "Solar Impulse" briefly went airborne for a test flight today, marking the first ever successful flight of a solar-powered airplane. The plane made a controlled 400-meter trip, operating on battery power, above the runway at Duebendorf air base near the Swiss city of Zurich.

"A plane like that never flown before and it's extraordinary... because it's an area of flight that has been unexplored until now," said Andre Borschberg, chief executive of the Solar Impulse project.


The single-seat plane has a wingspan of a large jumbo jet, but only weighs as much as a medium-sized car. Most of the plane is constructed with carbon fiber, while fuel comes from electricity provided by 12,000 photovoltaic cells and four lithium batteries, and propulsion comes from four twin-blade propellers powered by electric motors. A first non-stop 36 hour flight through darkness is planned in Switzerland from spring 2010, with the prospect of a five-stage flight around the world in 2012.

For more information about the project, visit www.solarimpulse.com.

Department of Energy Invests in Small Green Businesses

Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy announced more than $18 million in funding for small business innovation research, development and deployment of clean energy technologies. The 125 companies that are receiving funding were competitively selected from a pool of 950 applicants through a special fast-track process with an emphasis on near-term commercialization and job creation. Companies that demonstrate successful results with their new technologies and show potential to meet market needs will be eligible for $60 million in a second round of grants in the summer of 2010. Five Texas companies were selected to receive funding.

Grants were awarded to businesses for research in the following industries:

• Advanced Building Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Thermal Load Shifting, and Cool Roofs
• Water Usage in Electric Power Production
• Power Plant Cooling
• Advanced Gas Turbines and Materials
• Sensors, Controls, and Wireless Networks
• Advanced Water Power Technology Development
• Smart Controllers for Smart Grid Applications
• Advanced Solar Technologies
• Advanced Industrial Technologies Development
• Advanced Manufacturing Processes

For more information, see the Department of Energy's press release.

Austin's Pecan Street Project gets $10.4 million in Stimulus Funds

The Austin Pecan Street Project has been awarded $10.4 million in federal stimulus funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. The money will be used for a smart-grid demonstration project in the central Austin Mueller development. This funding is part of $184.5 million slated for national clean energy grants.

The demonstration project will integrate with Austin Energy’s next generation smart grid platform to create, operate, and evaluate an open platform Energy Internet – a type of smart grid that allows two-way electricity and information flow and is modeled on the architecture of the Internet. Resident and commercial participation in the project will be voluntary. The project will also feature initiatives such as solar power, energy storage and electric car recharge stations.

For more information, read the Austin Energy press release or visit www.pecanstreetproject.org.

California Approves Energy Efficiency Standards for TVs

California typically leads the nation when it comes to being the first to adopt stringent environmental policies, and this time is no different. The state has now officially established regulations on the energy consumption of LCD and plasma televisions up to 58-inches in size. Any television manufacturers that do not meet these requirements, which go into effect in 2011 and become even stricter by 2013, will not be allowed to sell their merchandise in the state. Recent research shows that televisions account for 2 percent of the state’s electricity use and 10 percent of residential electricity use, and this latest legislation aims to curb these numbers as TV power consumption will only increase as more people purchase electricity-guzzling plasma and LCD televisions.

For more information, visit the California Energy Commission website.

Austin City Council Approves Measures Related to Energy Efficiency

In their meeting yesterday, the Austin City Council approved three new measures related to energy efficiency:

1. Agreed to use $2.9 million in federal stimulus money to weatherize the homes of low-income, elderly and disabled residents

2. Agreed to grant Texas Gas Service's application to apply a surcharge to customers' bills to cover the cost of relocating gas facilities

3. Approved spending $3 million on rebates for high efficiency toilets and other conservation programs

With winter approaching, the Texas Gas Service surcharge means that it is even more important and financially beneficial to make energy efficiency improvements for your home.

White House Proposes “Cash for Caulkers” Stimulus Plan

The White House is considering a new “Cash for Caulkers” plan that would provide rebates, subsidies and incentives over the next two years for homeowners to make energy efficiency upgrades to their properties. The program would be called “Home Star” and would be funded by $23 million of federal money.

The proposed program would subsidize half of the cost or up to $2,000 of any home energy efficiency improvements. There would also be a subsidy of up to $4,000 for homes that receive upgrades and lower energy use by at least 20 percent.

White this program is still in the preliminary planning stages, it is a piece of news to follow closely in the coming months.

What is Combined Heat and Power (CHP)?

Combined heat and power, also known as cogeneration, is a method of recovering energy in the form of useful heat that would otherwise be lost in the process of producing electricity. Traditional methods of electricity generation produce heat as a by-product, but CHP is able to capture and recycle this energy for other uses.

CHP is most effective when combined with local industrial needs. As with all forms of energy, transmission is expensive and inefficient. Therefore institutions that require significant sources of electricity and heat, such as hospitals, universities and large industrial plants, are well suited for CHP systems.

In New York City, Con Edison, the local utility company, distributes steam to heat nearby buildings. Locally, the University of Texas employs a CHP system that provides electricity, heat and cooling to 160 campus buildings.

To learn more about CHP, read this case study (PDF) done by the International District Energy Association on the University of Texas CHP system.

U.S. Could Create 37 million “green” jobs

A recent report by the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) concludes that the country could add up to 37 million jobs and displace 1.2 billion tons of annual carbon emissions by 2030 if it continues to make strong commitments to energy efficiency and renewable energy.

The report says that putting a focus on renewable energies such as solar electric, biomass power and biofuels would not only create jobs within those sectors, but would expand employment in supporting sectors such as farming, metal fabrication, construction and trucking.

“The twin challenges of climate change and economic stagnation can be solved by the same action - broad, aggressive, sustained deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency,” says Brad Collins, Executive Director of ASES. “The solution for one is the solution for the other.”

The report finds that in 2006, energy efficiency and renewable energy industries were responsible for contributing 8.5 million new jobs and $970 billion to the national economy. In 2008, these industries were responsible for contributing another 9 million new jobs and over $1 trillion to the economy.

While the report projects that some 37 million “green” jobs could be created by 2030, it recognizes that these will replace jobs in traditional energy industries. The report projects that the total net job increase would still be 4.5 million, in additional to the environmental benefits of an aggressive focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy.

You can read the entire report online (PDF).

Construction Begins on Nacogdoches Biomass Power Plant

Yesterday, Atlanta-based Southern Power Company held its groundbreaking ceremonies for a new biomass power plant near Nacogdoches, Texas. Construction of the plant is scheduled to take 32 months and commercial operation is expected to begin in the summer of 2012.

As part of its goal to receive 30 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020, Austin Energy has a 20-year agreement to purchase electricity from the plant. The plant will produce 100-megawatts of power over a 165-acre site, and the biomass fuel will come from local wood processing residue and lumber waste.

The project is also expected to create around 300 construction jobs and 40 permanent jobs for the local area.

Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

Heating water can account for up to 30 percent of a home’s energy use, and switching to a more energy efficient tankless water heater is one way to lower your home’s energy use. However, tankless water heaters are expensive and work differently than the normal water heaters you are used to.

Tankless water heaters work by instantly heating water as it flows through pipes in the device. With a traditional tank water heater, a large volume of water is stored and slowly heated. In addition to energy savings, a tankless water heater can produce an unlimited supply of hot water.

Benefits of a tankless water heater:

- Long-term savings: according to Consumer Reports, tankless heaters are on average 22 percent more efficient, which means average savings of around $80 per year.

- Unlimited hot water

- Require less space

- Less risk of water damage from tank leaks or failures

Disadvantages of a tankless water heater:

- Average purchase and installation cost is around $1,200 which means it could take over 20 years to recoup this cost from its energy savings

- More susceptible to mineral buildup and require more frequent maintenance

- Tankless heaters require a minimum water pressure and volume to be flowing to trigger activation

- It takes time for the water to begin heating up

While there are clear advantages and disadvantages to getting a tankless water heater, we hope we have provided you with information to help you make a more informed decision for your home.

Austin Energy Proposes Rate Increase

On Wednesday, Austin Energy proposed a rate increase to the city council. If approved, this would be the first rate increase since 1994. Austin Energy faces a budget deficit of $9.3 million next year, and a deficit of $177 million by 2013 if the current rates stay the same. Austin Energy’s expenses are mounting due to conservation initiatives, installing smart meters, and the cost of new transmission lines.

While Austin Energy has made it clear that a rate increase is needed, it is unclear how much this increase will be. However, the rate restructuring would be a two-year process eventually needing state approval.

Links to articles with additional information about the financial state of Austin Energy can be found here and here.

Department of Energy Announces Funding for Industrial Energy Efficiency

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced yesterday that $155 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will go towards 41 industrial energy efficiency projects. The industrial sector represents an area that could see huge benefits from increased energy efficiency, as it accounts for more than 30 percent of all U.S. energy consumption and carbon emissions. These funds will be used for combined heat and power and district energy systems, which generate the heat and power needed for many industrial processes independently from the utility grid. These systems use almost half as much energy as traditional methods. Additional projects include energy waste recovery systems and other efficiency initiatives for hospitals and utilities.

"To remain globally competitive, American industry needs to be energy efficient,” said Steven Chu. “The funding for industrial energy efficiency technologies announced today will support a robust American industrial sector and help to usher in a clean energy economy. Many companies already realize that improving efficiency saves money while helping the environment. These projects will make energy efficiency technologies more widely available, cutting energy use and reducing carbon pollution across the country."

The Department of Energy projects that the initiatives completed with this funding will result in energy savings equivalent to over 112 million gallons of gasoline per year. Texas recipients of this funding include the Texas Medical Center and Texas A&M University.

For more information, view the DOE’s press release.

How Energy Efficient is Your Life?

Check out the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Star "Home Energy Yardstick" calculator. This site allows you to enter data about your home's energy usage and compare it to the national average. The site also offers advice and tips on how to make your home more energy efficient.

To find out about energy efficiency in other aspects of your life, check out the Carbon Footprint Calculator from Green Mountain Energy. This site compares your energy use from cars, electricity, travel, and natural gas to the national average to give you an idea of how energy efficient your life is.

Looking to further cut your energy consumption? Check out www.sust-it.net which compares the energy usage for thousands of household appliances. Although this site calculates its prices in pounds, it is still easy to see which appliances and electronics are more energy efficient than others.

Happy National Weatherization Day!

Today is National Weatherization Day, a day to celebrate the economic and environmental benefits of making homes and buildings more energy efficient. What are you doing to weatherize your home? Follow these 10 do-it-yourself ideas for making your home more energy efficient:

1. Lower water heater temperature
2. Change all light bulbs to compact fluorescents (CFLs)
3. Always run a full load in the dishwasher
4. Get a programmable thermostat
5. Turn off computers and monitors when not in use
6. Replace furnace and A/C filters every 90 days
7. Opt for ceiling fans instead of A/C
8. Open shades and blinds, keep lights off during the day
9. Plant trees and shrubs around windows and doors for shade
10. Tighten faucets to stop drips

In addition, look around your doors and windows for gaps or cracks where daylight is shining through or where you feel a draft. This means your home is leaking air and putting unnecessary strain on your air conditioner or heater, which is wasting energy and costing you money. Get a free energy audit to have a professional inspector look at your problem areas and determine further steps you can take to ensure that your home becomes as energy efficient as possible.

Happy Weatherization Day!

Federal Smart Grid Investment Grant Skips Austin

Today, the U.S. Department of Energy announced the municipal recipients of the Smart Grid Investment Grant. This grant offers $3.4 billion distributed to a hundred cities for infrastructure improvements to local electricity grids. Austin Energy applied for $100 million in funding, but today's announcement confirms that Austin will not receive any of this money.

$258.2 million has been given to other Texas cities, such as Amarillo, El Paso and Houston. However, almost all of this funding is for the installation of digital electric meters, an initiative that Austin Energy began several years ago and has now almost completed. Digital electric meters allow for automated reporting, eliminate the need for utility employees to read meters, and also offer better access to real-time data about energy usage at specific sites.

Here is a complete list (PDF) of cities that received funding from this grant.

Austin City Council Approves New Solar Rebate Plan

In a unanimous vote today, the Austin City Council approved Mayor Lee Leffingwell's plan to revive the city's foundering Solar Rebate Program with a new property tax financing plan. Under the new program, homeowners can take out a low interest, property tax based loan to cover the entire upfront cost of installing solar panels on their homes.

According to the mayor, this new financing option will "help make solar energy accessible to many more local residents, help them save money on their home energy bills almost immediately, and continue to build on Austin's growing reputation as a national leader on renewable energy initiatives."

A final vote will occur early next year to determine the details of the program's final implementation. However, today's vote makes Austin the first Texas city to establish a solar financing program.

New Smart Grid Technology Tested in Hawaii

The resort community of Wailea on the island of Maui will be the recipient of a prototype “smart grid” built by General Electric Company. This new type of electricity grid will feature new power meters in homes that can monitor how much energy is being used by each appliance in the house, and turn them off when power is most expensive. At times of peak energy usage, especially in the summer, the price of electricity increases with demand. For example, this type of power grid could adjust air conditioning and refrigerator temperatures, or pause dishwashing or clothes washing and drying until overall demand on the grid is lower and power is cheaper.

This kind of smart grid is also better at integrating more inconsistent and unpredictable forms of renewable energy, such as wind power and solar power. On cloudy and calm days, computers can manage the power generated from fossil fuel plants to make sure that the electricity supply remains stable until more favorable weather conditions return.

There are currently around 70 smart grid test sites throughout the country, including programs in Houston, Miami and Seattle. With Austin Energy’s commitment to get 30 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2020, look for a discussion to begin in the coming years about bringing some kind of smart grid solution to Central Texas.

For more information on smart grid technology, visit GE’s website.

Austin Mayor Offers Solution for City's Struggling Solar Rebate Program

Earlier this month, Austin Energy announced significant cutbacks to its solar rebate program. Under this rebate program, residents and business owners could install solar panels on their property and receive a rebate from the city that would cover up to two-thirds of the cost. However, the recent cutbacks suspended funds for pending projects and decreased the amount of money available for future projects.

On Friday, Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell proposed a new financing option for solar panels. Under the mayor's plan, homeowners could receive a low-interest loan from the city that would cover the entire cost of installing solar panels. Residents who receive this loan would then pay back the city through a line item in their property taxes.

While other Texas cities have considered similar financing programs to encourage the spread of solar power, Austin would be the first city to implement such a plan if it is approved. The Austin City Council meets this Thursday to consider the proposal.

Department of Energy to Strengthen Enforcement

The U.S. Department of Energy announced on Tuesday that it will begin taking steps to strengthen its enforcement of energy efficiency standards. The focus of this initiative is on consumer products and appliances, such as washers, dryers, refrigerators, freezers, HVAC units, etc. Already, the Department of Energy has launched investigations into an air conditioner and freezer manufacturer. The department will also begin random reviews of manufacturers' compliance with certification requirements.

This announcement comes at a time when the Department of Energy is renewing its efforts to promote conservation and efficiency. The department has already released five efficiency standards ahead of deadlines, and these standards are expected to save American consumers up to $300 billion over the next 30 years.

For more information, see the entire press release.

Obama Gets Tough on Federal Energy Efficiency

Last week, President Obama issued an executive order mandating that the nation's largest energy consumer, the federal government, has 90 days to set 2020 greenhouse gas emissions targets, increase recycling by 50% by 2015, and must make a 30% cut in vehicle fuel use by 2020. These orders apply to more than 500,000 federal buildings, 600,000 government vehicles and 1.8 million federal employees.

The executive order also calls for increased energy efficiency for new and existing buildings, the purchasing of energy efficient electronics and appliances, reductions in waste, and procedural changes to promote energy conservation.

View the complete executive order (PDF).

Austin Energy gets $2 million for Solar Research

Austin has been selected as one of 16 cities to receive funding from the U.S. Department of Energy for solar research. Under the terms of the grant, Austin Energy must spend $2 million of its own money towards solar research and it will receive another $2 million from the federal government. The city must also set aside 30-acres of land for a testing facility.

The money will be used for education and research into how the city can utilize existing residential and commercial roof space for housing solar panels.

For further information, visit www.solaramericacities.energy.gov

Austin Energy Chief to Retire

General manager of Austin Energy Roger Duncan has announced that he will step down from his position in March 2010. The city has said that it will conduct a national search for his replacement.

Duncan has served as general manager since 2008. In the 1980s, Duncan served as a member of the Austin City Council before working for the city's Environmental and Conservation Services Department. He has been a vice president with Austin Energy since 1998.

Duncan says his future plans are to write a book on energy, as well as possibly doing some teaching and consulting.

Pew Center Reports on Corporate Energy Efficiency

The Pew Center on Global Climate Change recently announced the release of a report and the launch of an entire website in an “effort to identify and highlight the most effective methods used by companies today to reduce their energy consumption and lower their related greenhouse gas emissions.” While their complete report will not be published until next year, they have still made a wealth of information available online. The website provides information on how 48 of the largest corporations have approached energy efficiency in regards to five categories: internal operations, buildings, supply chains, products and services, and cross-cutting issues.

For internal operations, the report looks at what companies are doing to optimize energy use in manufacturing processes through improved data tracking and management.

For buildings, the report tracks how companies are upgrading lighting systems, switching to more energy efficient office equipment and appliances, and improved monitoring of energy consumption.

For supply chains, the report discusses how corporations are partnering with and helping to educate their suppliers on the value of energy efficiency and conservation.

For cross-cutting, the report explains how big businesses are attempting to change their corporate culture through presentations and reports to educate employees about the importance of investing in energy efficient processes and systems.

Source: Pew Center’s Energy Efficiency Website

Economic Report on Energy Efficiency in Buildings

Buildings account for almost 40 percent of global energy use. The Peterson Institute for International Economics has a new report on energy efficiency in buildings. The report discusses the cost of energy efficiency for buildings versus other sectors of the economy. The report also studies the incentives required to establish a market where upgrades to existing buildings and changes to new construction codes are advantageous both economically and environmentally.

Watch Trevor Houser, author of the report, give a presentation on his study:

The Empire State Building is Going Green

Building owners of the Empire State Building recently announced that they are investing over $500 million dollars in renovations and upgrades, including $13 million toward an energy efficiency retrofit for the iconic building. The improvements will include replacing heating and A/C units, resealing and insulating the building’s 6,500 windows, and upgrading the building’s environmental control system. These improvements are aiming to cut the building’s energy use by 38 percent by 2013, which comes out to over $3 million a year in savings.

For more information, check out this video:

California Held to Tightest Alternative Energy Standards

Yesterday, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an executive order that would require state utilities to get 33 percent of their power from renewable energy sources by 2020. This order makes California the nation's most aggressive when it comes to mandating renewable energy use (Hawaii previously held this title with its goal of 40 percent renewable power by 2030). The order will also allow California to import electricity from renewable sources in other states, such as wind, solar, and geothermal energy. California already imports a portion of its hydroelectric power from the Pacific Northwest, and such imports are expected to increase substantially.

The governor's complete press release can be found here: http://gov.ca.gov/press-release/13273/

Austin Energy Considers Cutbacks for Solar Rebates

In 2004, Austin Energy created a Solar Rebate Program to subsidize the installation of solar panels for homes and businesses. The program aimed to encourage local participation in this renewable energy source by covering up to two-thirds of the cost for solar panel installation. However, the program has become so popular that it has already received enough applications to completely use up the program’s $4 million budget.

Due to the lack of funds available for the program, Austin Energy will decide next week whether or not to decrease the amount of the subsidy or suspend the program for some or all who are currently eligible, such as commercial and nonprofit organizations. If Austin Energy decides to lower the subsidy amount, this change would not only apply to future applications, but it would also be retroactively applied to previous applicants who have already begun solar panel installations with expectations to receive the full subsidy amount. However, these people may be getting a much smaller check from Austin Energy than they were counting on. While the price of solar panels has dropped over 40 percent within the last year, Austin Energy’s decision could still force many of these private solar projects to be canceled.

Houston Planning Solar Plant

The City of Houston announced yesterday that it has plans to purchase power for city buildings from a new solar plant under construction in northwest Houston. Under a 25-year agreement with the city, the plant would provide up to 1.5 percent of the power needed to operate municipal buildings. Scheduled for completion next July, the plant will be the largest solar power plant in the state, producing 10 megawatts of output from 70 acres of solar panels. The plant is being build by NRG Energy at a cost of $40 million. This latest solar project is another part of Houston’s push for renewable energy, as the city has also entered a long-term deal to get 32 percent of its electricity from Texas wind farms.

For more information, see the city’s press release.

Cash For Clunky Old Refrigerators

Austin Energy is now offering to pay $50 for people who will recycle old refrigerators and freezers. In addition, the city will even come pick these units up from your house. The city is taking such an aggressive stance against these appliances because the old models are extremely energy inefficient, using two to three times more electricity than their modern counterparts. The city is also able to recycle 98 percent of the material from these old appliances while safely disposing of any harmful coolant chemicals.

To see if you and your old fridge qualify, visit Austin Energy’s website.

California to Set Energy Efficiency Standards for Televisions

The California Energy Commission is considering placing regulations on the sale of big-screen televisions that would require the TVs to meet new energy efficiency standards. Recent research shows that televisions account for 2 percent of the state’s electricity use and 10 percent of residential electricity use, and these numbers are expected to increase as more people purchase electricity-guzzling plasma and LCD televisions. The new regulations are expected to save $8.1 billion dollars in electricity over the next ten years, which comes out to around $30 per television per year in energy savings. If passed, the bill would go into effect in 2011.

List of Government Energy Rebates and Incentives

The U.S. government has a website http://www.dsireusa.org/ which lists all federal incentives and policies for promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency. The website lists all programs by state.

Here are some of the programs available to Austin residents:

Property Tax Exemption – Allows an exemption of the amount of the appraised property value that arises from the installation or construction of a solar or wind-powered energy device.

Property Tax Financing – Allows property owners to borrow money to pay for energy improvements. The amount borrowed is repaid through an increased property tax assessment over a period of years.

Sales Tax Exemption – Purchases of certain energy-efficient products during Memorial Day weekend are exempt from the state sales and use tax.

Austin Energy Residential Energy Efficiency Loan Program – Austin Energy offers loans to its residential customers to finance energy efficient improvements in their homes.

Austin Energy Free Home Energy Improvements Program – Austin Energy provides a variety of weatherization measures at no cost to its low-income and disabled residents through its Free Home Energy Improvements Program. Certain income levels must be met for residents to participate in this program.

Austin Energy Multi-Family Energy Efficiency Rebate Program – Austin Energy provides cash incentives to owners, developers, and property managers of apartments and other multi-family properties for making energy efficiency improvements. Rebates are available for qualified A/C systems, heat pumps, window treatments, insulation, ductwork, and lighting equipment.

Austin Energy Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program – Austin Energy offers incentives to its residential customers to encourage the use energy efficient equipment. Rebates are available for qualified HVAC equipment and weatherization improvements.

Austin Energy Solar PV Rebate Program – Austin Energy offers a $3.75 per watt incentive to eligible residential and commercial customers (including multi-family housing) who install photovoltaics on their homes or facilities.

Austin Energy Solar Water Heating Rebate Program – Austin Energy offers its residential, commercial, and municipal customers up front rebates or a low interest loan for the purchase and installation of solar hot water heaters.

Texas Gas Service Energy Efficiency Rebate Program – Texas Gas Service offers an incentive for its residential customers within the Austin and Sunset Valley city limits to install new central furnaces, hydronic water heaters, high efficiency gas water heaters (tank and tankless), duct repair/sealing and attic insulation.

Record High Financing for International Energy Efficiency Programs

The World Bank recently announced that financing for renewable energy and energy efficiency programs in developing countries increased by 24 percent last year. This brings the total amount spent last year on these programs to $3.3 billion dollars, which exceeds the commitments made in 2004 to supply funding for new energy initiatives. This financing has allowed for 366 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects to be undertaken across 90 different countries. These projects include the construction of solar, wind, biomass and hydroelectric power plants, upgrades to electrical transmission and distribution infrastructure, and the replacement of old industrial and commercial air conditioning and refrigeration units.

Renewable energy and energy efficiency projects accounted for over 40 percent of the bank's energy-related lending. This shift in the focus of energy spending demonstrates the internationally recognized importance of efficient energy programs. For more information, visit http://www.worldbank.org/energy

Energy Efficiency Funds Pour In Across U.S.

With the recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, states are beginning to receive their funds for energy efficiency improvements. These funds will go towards improvements and upgrades for government buildings and low-income housing, as well as creating thousands of local jobs.

"Energy efficiency isn't just low-hanging fruit; it's fruit lying on the ground. We have the tools to reduce energy use at home and at work and to provide huge savings to families and businesses on their energy bills. But use of these technologies has been far too limited because we lack the simple and effective ways for people to access them," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu in a recent statement.

With the slow economy and rising energy prices, the government is hoping that these funds for energy efficiency will free up the billions of dollars spent each year on wasted energy.

With the federal funds for energy efficiency beginning to flow, the government announced this week that Tennessee will receive $99 million, Georgia $129 million, Oklahoma $18.6 million, and Wyoming $9.5 million. $53 million will be divided between American Samoa, the Northern Arapaho Tribe, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Only around half of these funds will be delivered initially, as the remaining allotments will come pending proof of successful use of the initial funds. Locally, Texas will receive $162 million, and Travis County has already received $2.2 million.

For more information:

Here is a list of 22 states that have begun receiving funds.

Here is a list of local governments that have already received funds.

Here is a list of Texas Cities and Counties that have begun receiving funds.

Austin Energy to Supply More Green Energy, Increase Prices

By 2020, Austin Energy will be buying over 30 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. This aggressive plan will help maintain Austin’s image as an environmentally proactive city by reducing carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants by 20 percent.

In this effort to reduce dependency on coal-produced electricity, Austin Energy will seek to get its power from West Texas wind farms, a new array of solar panels in eastern Travis County, a new natural gas turbine at an existing plant, and a planned biomass power plant in East Texas. Austin Energy also plans to continue purchasing a portion of its electricity from the South Texas Nuclear Project.

Austin Energy’s decision comes after months of low participation in its GreenChoice program where residents can voluntarily sign up to individually purchase power from renewable sources. Because electricity from the renewable energy sources is more expensive, the average Austin Energy residential customer will see a monthly electricity bill increase of around 22 percent. This scheduled increase in electricity prices only reinforces the need to ensure that all homes become as energy efficient as possible. In fact, efficiency upgrades made to homes now could potentially offset the entire price increase.

States such as Pennsylvania about to receive weatherization funds. City of Austin and Travis County soon to follow with energy efficiency measures

Federal Stimulus Money Will Weatherize Homes

Millions of federal dollars that were held up in the state budget impasse, will be used to weatherize Pennsylvania homes. The state has been awarded $123 million dollars in stimulus money for a program that's expected to reach almost $253 million dollars. The cash is expected to save or create nearly 1,000 jobs in the state over the next 2 and a half years. This stimulus is very similar to the stimulus money reeived by Texas to weatherize homes in Austin, TX - Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and many of the other large cities throughout our state.

Craig Heim is the Executive Director of the Office of Energy Conservation and Weatherization.

Heim: We're at the point now where we're reviewing the plans of each of these agencies. Some will be approved right away and in some cases we'll want to sit down with agencies and refine the plans that they have. If we find that some of the agencies are failing in their production we'll consider bringing new organizations in.

Local groups in Pennsylvania have had several months to prepare for the large infusion of cash and the sevenfold increase in weatherization services. One of the organizations expecting to get money is the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation. A spokesperson says the money will allow PHDC to do more weatherstripping, pipe wrapping, and heating system repairs.

In Austin TX, energy efficiency measures similar to those mentioned above, should be moving forward around mid-October according to our sources. Weatherstripping, Weatherization, attic insulation, radiant barrier, blower door test, energy audits, duct blaster tests and other energy efficiency measures will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously making the the homes around Austin Texas more energy efficient -and therefore reducing energy costs. Texas Gas and Austin energy both provide rebate programs. Here is a link

http://www.austinenergy.com/energy%20efficiency/Programs/Rebates/index.htm

For more information, contact:
www.greencollaroperations.com

Harry Reid pushes for energy efficiency measures such as insulation, radiant barrier and insulation that Austin Energy provides rebates on

Energy efficiency should be the first source we turn toward to meet energy demand and reduce consumers' bills" said Reid, who is a key figure in the energy and climate bill being considered by Congress. "It creates more jobs than nearly every other energy investment and the cheapest, cleanest, safest energy is the energy we never have to use."

Harry Reid commented on energy efficiency of both residential and commercial buildings at the Clean Energy Summit in Nevada. Programs similar to those offered by Austin Energy, which provide rebates for things like weatherization, duct sealing, attic insulation, radiant barrier and other energy efficiency measures in Austin TX, are just a few of the ideas that were mentioned at the conference. Other attendees included Al Gore, former President Bill Clinton, and green jobs advocate Van Jones.

For more information on the Austin Energy rebate program please visit www.austinenergy.com or go to www.greencollaroperations.com

Green Energy "brainstorm" in California-

It's a gorgeous 90-degree day here at the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel, and Fortune magazine (spearheaded by Marc Gunther) has assembled the world's top business and technology leaders here for a second annual green "brainstorm."

Marriott, Walmart, IBM, Starbucks, Ford, McDonalds, Dell, Toyota, HP, Microsoft and GE as well as top environmental nonprofits Conservation International (CI), Environmental Defense (EDF), Rainforest Action Network (RAN), and dozens more organizations at the forefront of the green business revolution report on their latest environmental initiatives and explore how to deepen their corporate commitments to sustainability while making money during a recession.

One impressive addition ... our very own Mother Nature Network is represented by both Joel Babbit and Chuck Leavell, who played one kick-ass acoustic set last night on the Ritz's grand piano (man, is he talented)!

In dramatic contrast to the Wall Street Journal's similar effort in March, this event abandons the punch & judy sideshow approach to getting press. Here no one is wasting time debating the larger climate issues, and it is quite clear that everyone at the upper echelon of corporate America is fully on board and mobilized in an attempt to gain a leadership position in the emergent green economy.

Already several stories have broken here. Last night, Green pundit Paul Hawken announced that his new company with biomimicry guru Janine Benyus called OneSun is fully funded (and in fact the first funding round was oversubscribed) and will be producing a $17 solar panel that is modeled after the most sophisticated energy technology on the planet -- the leaf.

And this morning on a panel with the sustainability directors of Marriott, Starbucks, and Dell, Starbucks announced that tomorrow morning it will be publishing (online only) its new corporate sustainability report, which includes a brand new program that looks into monetizing the carbon value of the land that their coffee growers manage, letting local growers gain additional revenues by taking their carbon credits to the voluntary carbon market.

Right now, I'm at a panel called "Green Superpowers" with the directors of sustainability for WalMart, GE and IBM. Walmart VP Leslie Dach just led a "packaging summit" where its 300 packaging suppliers presented the latest in efficient and biodegradable packaging. But Bill Valentine from HOK socked it to him saying packaging is great, but "Walmart is sucking the life out of the small town." How can it put the life back into a building sustainable community? Walmart's response: they are working on "rightsizing" their stores.

Mckinsey Study Says Energy Efficiency Measures Similar To Those Performed By Contractors Like Green Collar Operations Would Save $700 Billion

McKinsey says that an energy efficiency push over the next 10 years could save the US Economy $700 BILLION (Yes, Billion) over the next decade.

Although implementing this program would cost roughly $520B to put in place, they estimate that through 2020, 1.2 TRILLION could be saved. This all by implementing measures similar to those that Austin Energy gives rebates on. Not bad, huh?

In the process, efficiency could meet 23% of America's future electricity demand. But in order to get their, overall charges would need to go up by roughly 8%- in order to eventually offset the 24% savings. What does this mean for you? Start looking at the rebates Austin Energy, TXU, Texas Gas and other providers in Central Texas offer for things like Radiant Barrier, Attic Insulation, Weatherization and Duct Sealing.

www.greencollaroperations.com

Radiant Barrier, Attic Insulation and other energy efficiency measures are about to have a cost tied to them in Michigan

A utility in Michigan is about to begin following Austin Energy's lead and begin charging customers a surcharge to help pay for it's newly implemented rebate program....
Customers will pay — 71 cents for (residential electric customers)and $1.72 a month for those who use natural gas. An additional fee of $2.50 a month will appear on bills starting this fall....Not too sure how succesful they will be in implementing the program - but with the cold weather in Michigan, I am sure the Attic Insulation rebates will be getting turned in left and right....

Energy Efficiency, Weatherization, Insulation and Other measures offer a Sunny forecast for Chicago's Climate Exchange

Stock market investors need not worry if they are up to speed on Washington's determination to regulate carbon emissions. The best investors in the world over the last 50 years - people like George Soros, Warren Buffet, Henry Kravis and others - have always watched Washington closely, as sectors that are subsidized/pushed can present amazing short term (and long term) opportunities.

One of these current sectors, is the newly developed climate exchange and carbon market. Smart investors are starting to see huge growth opportunity in the U.S. via the Chicago Climate Exchange and Chicago Climate Futures Exchange. The Chicago Climate Futures Exchange is a contractually binding cap and trade carbon market ---and currently has close to 500 members. Our current best estimate is that this exchange could generate revenues well in excess of $200,000,000.

But what exactly does this mean for other related areas? You guessed it. More growth

Austin Energy Rebate Special - This August Only

Green Collar Operations will be running a Attic insulation sale for Austin TX customers this August. Additionally, we are running a super-special for any home over 2000 square feet in Austin TX that needs weatherization - Our cost will be NO COST to you after the rebate that you receive from the city of Austin. Please make sure to tell your friends and family to call us to schedule their FREE weatherization if their home is over 2000 sq ft.

What Does the Green Movement Mean to You?

What does the green movement mean to you? This may seem like a silly question, but it’s a question I have been asking myself lately. There is really no rite answer to this question; it is simply a way of thinking about the hundreds of different things that have become part of the green movement and what is most important in them. An interesting experiment I did was to Google the terms green movement and my home town and sees what comes up. Here in Austin Texas a Google search of “Green Movement Austin” brings up an interesting series of results.

The first thing that comes up is an article about a concert celebrating the green movement in Austin. If you know about Austin this makes some sense, as the self proclaimed music capital of the world we have concert for just about everything. The sponsor of this green concert was the Yellow Bike Collective, a local group that advocates for bicyclist rites and increasing the ease of transit by bicycle around town. They are a great organization and have done good things for the local biking community here in Austin, but I don’t know that they would qualify as the epitome of the Austin green movement in my mind.

Second on the list is the Travis Count Green Party. Clearly they should be high on the list as they appear to be leaders in the local green movement from a local government standpoint. However I was disappointed when I looked at their sight and found out that none of their top three key values are related to the environment or environmental concerns. Shouldn’t the green movement be about the environment more than anything else? Several of their other key values are environmentally related but are very vague on exactly what their stance is on important environmental issues.

All in all someone trying to find out what the green movement in Austin is all about wouldn’t get a very good picture from the first page of search results on Google. They would certainly understand that there are several local groups supporting bike transportation and delivery to reduce emissions. They will also find responses from realtors to the recent home energy regulations put in place, most of which are critical of the city’s plan to increase energy efficiency. What does this say about our lovely little city that likes to think of itself as a haven for green living in Texas?

I think the Austin green movement is more than these search results would tell you, and I did skip over one brief article that talks about Austin as a leader in the green building sector, but the fact still remains that the information available online largely doesn’t match up with what I think of when I think of the green movement. This is a symptom of an ever increasing ambiguity in the green movement and this problem is only going to get worse. With the predictions for a coming “greenconomy” and more money being pumped into anything that can spin itself as part of the green movement by the day, the race is on to get in on the green goodness.

The green movement, whatever it is, is growing. The zeitgeist of the times is more environmentally minded then anytime in recent history and it shows. I encourage you to think critically about what the green movement is, what it means, and what it should be. Let us not forget in the rush that the green movement is about the environment above everything else.

Nuclear Power

I recently read an interesting set of articles about nuclear power in America. The main push of the articles was encouraging people to adopt nuclear as a low emissions source of energy between now and when reliable renewable energy sources can take over. Following are some of the interesting things I learned that I feel it is important for everyone to know.

1. Nuclear power is incredibly safe, all the concerns about a Chernobyl like event happening here are unwarranted and the accident at Three Mile Island was actually relatively minor. Experts think it is likely that the radio active materials leaked a Three Mile Island were so minimal they did not cause a single case of cancer.

2. Nuclear waste is not the huge problem it is made out to be. It is safe to store, takes up relatively minimal space, and is considerably less dangerous than the waste produced at coal plants that simply gets deposited back into the world.

3. Coal plants actually emit radio active isotopes into the atmosphere and create more radioactive waste then nuclear plants do.

4. Not a single nuclear plant has been approved or built in the United States sense Three Mile Island.

I think these articles make a strong case for nuclear power and that future nuclear proposals should be taken seriously. If we continue burning fossil fuels to create energy until we find reliable renewable energy sources it might be to late to reverse the global climate change triggered by the emissions from coal and natural gas powerplants.

US House of Representatives passes climate change bill

On June 26th the US House of Representatives passed a sweeping environmental bill. Probably the biggest item in the bill is the carbon cap and trade system that it lays out. This system will help reduce emissions by giving both an economic benefit for reducing emissions and an economic penalty for those who do not. This makes the recent push by the city of Austin and Austin Energy for increased energy efficiency all the more important. If we as a city can reduce our demand for energy we will be able to sell off our excess carbon credits to less environmentally friendly cities. Not only will we get a cleaner city, we will have more funds to pay for better roads, schools and other improvements. The combined measures in the bill plan to cut carbon emissions by 18% in 10 years and hope to achieve an 80% reduction in 40 years. Increasing the energy efficiency of homes around the nation is going to one of the key elements in reaching these lofty goals. The Austin Energy rebates are a great way to do your part to help out without having to spend a lot of money. Visit www.greencollaroperations.com today and give us a call to find out what rebates you are eligible for and talk to an energy efficiency expert.

Austin Amerian Statesman talks energy and the environment

In the last couple days there have been several good articles written in the Austin American Statesman talking about green energy and energy efficiency. The attention to this subject matter is being driven by the recent meeting of the Pecan Street Project, an Austin coalition focused on moving Austin to the forefront of the emerging Green economy, and making Austin a leader in green energy in the process. The articles discuss a wide range of topics from energy efficiency to the importance for the city of attracting green technology companies from an economic stand point. Please give them a read and help place Austin squarely in the middle of the green energy revolution. You can find the articles at www.statesman.com or at the following direct links:
Article 1
Article 2
Article 3

These are only three of the handful of articles in different sections of the paper over the last several days that discuss environmental and green energy topics.

Austin makes it easy to be green

Its pretty easy to be green in Austin, all things considered. There are a lot of rebate programs out there offered by Austin Energy and the Austin water utilities and even the natural gas company here in town. All these rebates make it pretty affordable to make your home greener. You can get the city to replace your old toilets if you agree to use new low flow models with you do so. You can also get good rebates on solar powered water heaters, they produce the same hot water, but don't take as much energy to run. Rebates are available for rain barrels that will help you capture water off your roof and use it later to water you plants so you don't have to turn on the hose. Austin Energy has a whole host of rebates for different things. You can get rebates to add insulation to your attic, or spray some radiant barrier under your roof to reflect summer heat.
With all these different rebates available it is curious why Austin isn't a more environmentally friendly city. Everyone thinks of Austin as a progressive town that should be at the forefront of our state's push to be more environmentally friendly, and that is certainly the idea behind the rebates. The fact still remains that austinites just aren't taking advantage of the programs and actually living greener. For example Austin's percapita water use exceeds the state recommended maximums and we aren't even that close to meeting that goal. Other cities like San Marcos and San Antonio are already below the recommended percapita water use. What gives Austin? Get out there and take advantage of the great rebates Austin is offering you. Its free money to help the environment, what could be wrong with that?

Shopping for a green home

If your in the market for a house in Austin and are looking for an environmentally friendly place to hang your hat, here are some tips on finding the real deal when it comes to green homes.

1. Landscaping: environmentally friendly homes will have landscaping that works with the native environment. Look for native plant species that are naturally drought resistance, large grass yards take up a lot of water and are to be avoided. Also look for homes that have kept large shade trees on the lot around the house, they can significantly cut down on your energy use in summer, making your house more environmentally friendly.

2. Appliances and fixtures: Look for appliances that are relatively new and energy star certified, this means they meet national standards for energy efficiency. Low flow toilets and solar water heaters are also things you can look for. Low voltage lighting also helps keep energy use down throughout the year.

3. Orientation and Windows: Here in Austin look for homes that have south and east facing windows and very few west facing windows. This will help keep warm the house up in the morning and during the winter but keeps out intense afternoon sun.

4. Building Materials: Particularly if you are looking at new constructions you should consider whether or not environmentally friendly recycled materials were used in the construction of the house. Recycled materials show up in floors, framing, rock walls and anything metal in the home. Also talk to your builder to see if they took steps to minimize wasted materials during construction, as builders who are conscious of this can help save a lot of materials and not fill up the landfill.

Green Collar Operations is partnering with loacl realtors

Green Collar Operations has recently begun partnering with local Austin Realtors to help them understand their options in reference to the recent ECAD regulations. Green Collar Operations is showing Austin Realtors how to take a value added approach to the new energy regulations. The Realtors are learning how to view the new energy audits as an opportunity to make their listings stand out in the crowded Austin real estate market instead of just another hurdle to overcome in the process of selling a house. Along the way the people at Green Collar are also helping to accomplish the actual goal of the energy audits, which is increasing energy efficiency here in Austin, as opposed to just having audits done. These partnerships are proving to be beneficial to everyone involved. Realtors get to show sellers how to increase the value of their home at minimal cost, and purchases get a more energy efficient home. If you are selling a home, or are an Austin Realtor interested in learning more about how Green Collar is helping other Realtors please visit the website at www.greencollaroperations.com or contact them directly by calling (512) 986-7045

Electronics in Austin Landfills

There is a growing problem in central Texas, and the US in general, being caused by the rapid pace of technological innovation. As computers, TVs and cellphones become obsolete more quickly the build of electronics in landfills is becoming a problem. These electronics are full of heavy metals and chemicals that leach into the soil and eventually make it into our water supply.

The Texas government is taking steps to limit the amount of electronic waste that winds up in our landfills by requiring computer manufactures to provide free recycling for old computers in Texas. However, they have not addressed the TV or cellphone issue yet. This is particularly worrisome in light of the recent digital TV switch which is going to make a large number of old TVs stop working. Without easy recycling these will all end up in our local landfill where they will pollute our soil and ground water.

Here in Austin we have several options for disposing of our old electronics. Perhaps the easiest is to take them to your local Goodwill drop off point. Goodwill will take them and repair, re-sell or recycle them depending on their condition. You can also take them to an Ecology Action drop off point downtown or a city run recycling center in South Austin. So make the extra effort next time you have electronics to get rid of and do it responsibly. Help us protect our land and drinking water.

An environmental view of the current Texas legislative session.

The 2009 Texas legislative session has been a busy one from the standpoint of energy and environmental regulations. There have been several important victories won by environmentalist and conservationist but not everything has gone their direction. Amongst the failed items from the 2009 Texas legislative agenda are measures that would have created higher energy efficiency standards for public, residential and commercial buildings. These measures, had they been passed, would have helped Texas significantly reduce its demand for energy. Limiting the wasteful use of energy in large government and commercial buildings and requiring new homes to be built to higher energy efficiency standards could have prevented the creation of millions of tons of Co2 from unnecessary power production in upcoming years. A recent energy audit by Austin Energy found that one million pounds of Co2 was created annually by the power being wasted in the 310 homes audited. If we assume a similar lack of energy efficiency for large government and commercial buildings, a measure requiring them to become more efficient in their power use would have had a dramatic impact on our emissions statewide. Also amongst the failed proposals were plans to subsidize and incentivize new renewable energy projects, particularly solar projects and a plan to expand the energy efficiency programs offered by electric companies.

On the other hand environmental victories include a plan to allocate federal stimulus money towards energy efficiency and home weatherization. It is unclear exactly how this will work, but hopefully it will make it easier for Texas residents to take steps to increase the energy efficiency of their homes through weatherization. This should include incentives for improvements like adding radiant barrier to roofs, increasing attic insulation, sealing ducts, and improving the seals around windows and doors. Victories were also won to allow city financing for energy efficiency improvement and solar installments and provide tax breaks for clean coal plants. While clean coal is not as good as truly green power sources, providing an incentive for coal plants to reduce their emissions will certainly help bridge the gap until we can transfer to green energy sources.

The overall story of the 2009 Texas legislative session from an energy efficiency standpoint seems to be that the Texas legislature wants to make it easier for people to increase their energy efficiency, but are not ready to require anyone to do so. Providing incentives is a great way to start improving Texas’ energy efficiency and decreasing our environmental impact as a state. However, these incentive programs are largely focused on residential improvements. This leaves out commercial, school and government buildings which account for a large part of the energy wasted in Texas. Hopefully the study commissioned by this legislative session that is supposed to find ways to increase energy efficiency and decrease statewide emissions will show the importance of including commercial and government buildings in energy efficiency improvement programs to upcoming Texas legislative sessions.

The Texas legislature also seems unsure about alternative energy development at this time. They struck down two measures directly targeted at the development of more renewable energy production and one plan to develop new nuclear power plants in Texas. At the same time they approved a tax break program for new clean coal plants and a measure that will make it easier to build natural gas pipelines which will aid in future natural gas power plant development. The Texas legislature seems to be moving slowly in the right direction on energy and environmental legislation and hopefully future Texas legislative sessions will increase the pace of improvement and start significantly reducing Texas’s environmental impact.