Texas Energy News

Energy Conservation Grant for TAMIU, November 2008

The State Energy Conservation Office of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has granted $87,000 to the Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) for phase two of a community energy conservation program. The funds will go to the Utility Resource Education Network, which is collaborative effort among TAMIU, the Texas A&M College of Architecture's Center for Housing and Urban Development, the Colonias Program and local energy providers.

Emissions-Free Waste Management Coming to Killeen June 2008

The City of Kileen has donated 40 acres of land to ZEROS (Zero-emissions Energy Recycling Oxidation System) to build a zero waste emissions-free power plant near the Williamson County landfill. The plant was designed at Texas A&M University. ZEROS will use leading edge technology to convert solid waste from the land fill into electricity and other useable byproducts. The plant will use an oxygenated system to convert as much as 300,000 tons of garbage annually into electricity with zero emissions. Killeen was chosen because it met the criteria to provide the waste as fuel. In return, the company has agreed to sell back to the city at a reduced rate byproducts such as diesel fuel, gasoline and clean water which can be used to irrigate dry areas and be recycled into municipal water systems. The estimated cost of $250 million to $300 million will be provided by private investors. The plant is expected to create 200 jobs in Killeen while reducing the city's landfill waste treatment costs from $20 to $24 per ton to $10 per ton. The processing plant won’t begin to be fired for at least another three years.

Austin Moves Toward Greener Fleet June 2008

The City of Austin is trying to make its fleet of more than 4,400 vehicles carbon neutral by 2020.

Refrigerator Recycling Hits 10,000 May 2008

The Austin Energy refrigeration recycling program, the only program, of its type in Texas and one of less than a dozen nationwide, will recycle it's 10,000th unit this month. The program pays Austin Energy residential customers $50 each for up to two old working refrigerators or freezers. Refrigerators/freezers 15 years old or older can use up to 70% more power than new energy-efficient models, and even more if located in a hot garage during summer. Appliances picked up are 98% recycled, along with the proper disposal of refrigerants. To arrange for a pickup, simply call 1-800-452-8685.

EPA Recognizes Austin Energy May 2008

For the second year in a row, Austin Energy is the recipient of an ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award, presented annually by the EPA. The award recognizes Austin Energy's continued leadership in energy efficiency through the Home Performance With ENERGY STAR and Power Partner programs. Last year, 1,900 Austin home owners participated in Home Performance With ENERGY STAR and as a result, now save almost $300,000 in annual energy costs. These participants, coupled with the more than 10,000 Austinites participating in Power Partner last year, will collectively reduce peak electric demand by more than 6 megawatts (MW). Reducing peak demand helps delay the need for additional power plants, which helps keep electric rates lower for all of us.

ENERGY STAR sales Tax Holiday May 24-26 May 2008
During Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26, Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales taxes when they purchase certain energy efficient appliances and other household equipment bearing an Energy Star label. Shoppers are expected to save about $2.6 million in state and local sales taxes.

Texas Energy Profile

This Energy Information Administration web site gives current energy data for the state of Texas.

Texas Comptroller Releases Report on Energy Resources May 2008

The Energy Report is a comprehensive evaluation of the various energy resources available in Texas. It is a reference tool for anyone seeking for understanding the current Texas energy environment.

Abilene's Energy Savings to Finance Building Upgrades May 2008

The City of Abilene has approved $9 million in lighting, air conditioning and other improvements to city buildings, enough to save $12.3 million in energy costs over the next 15 years. The improvements will be made over the next 18 months and paid off over 15 years using the resulting cost savings. The improvements will be made over the next 18 months and paid off over 15 years using the resulting cost savings.

“Green” Is New Building Standard In Dallas April 2008

The Dallas City Council has unanimously adopted a green construction ordinance which aims to reduce energy and water consumption in all new houses and commercial buildings constructed in the city. With this ordinance, Dallas becomes one of the first major U.S. cities to pass comprehensive building standards for both residential and commercial construction.

Texas Continues to Lead Nation in Wind Power April 2008

The American Wind Energy Association's annual ranking of wind power leadership, released last week, continues to show Texas leading the states in terms of both total installed wind power capacity and the amount of new wind power capacity that was installed last year. In fact, the Sweetwater, Texas, wind plant more than doubled in capacity to 585 megawatts, pushing it from fifth to second place in the size rankings, while the state's Buffalo Gap wind facility expanded to 353 megawatts, placing it in fifth place for size. The recently completed 364-megawatt Capricorn Ridge wind facility, also in Texas, landed in fourth place, while last year's 401-megawatt Peetz Table Wind Energy Center in Colorado is the only non-Texas wind plant in the top five.

Gov. Perry Announces Investment in Solar Power Company April 2008

Governor Perry has announced that the state will invest $1 million in HelioVolt Corp. of Austin for the construction of a manufacturing facility to test and produce thin-film solar power cells, which convert sunlight into electricity. The deal will create nearly 160 jobs and $62 million in capital investment.

ORCA Grants $500,000 for Desalination Project April 2008

A pilot project utilizing wind power to desalinate brackish groundwater in Seminole in West Texas will get a jump-start thanks to a $500,000 grant from the Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA).

DOE Designates San Antonia as a Solar America City March 2008

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced its selection of 12 cities including San Antonio, Texas, as Solar America Cities. Each city will receive $200,000 (a total of $2.4 million) to integrate a variety of solar technologies, such as solar water heating, solar photovoltaic electric systems, and large-scale solar thermal electric systems, which are also known as concentrating solar power. Combined with industry cost sharing and funding from each city, the total amount invested will be approximately $12.1 million. In addition to the funding, DOE will also provide hands-on assistance from technical experts to help cities integrate solar technologies into their energy planning, zoning, and facilities; streamline local regulations and practices that affect solar adoption; provide solar financing options; and promote solar technology among residents and local businesses through outreach, curriculum development, and incentive programs.

Texas State Technical College Awarded Wind Energy Grant February 2008

Texas State Technical College West Texas has been awarded a $523,430 grant to develop an online version of its wind energy certification program. The grant includes scholarship money for 15 students.

Sweetwater Mayor Speaks at Berlin Wind Conference February 2008

Sweetwater Mayor Greg Wortham was the keynote speaker at the Germany-USA wind energy conference this week in Berlin, Germany. The event was designed to recruit German wind energy companies to the United States and specifically to Texas.

Move Over, Oil, There’s Money in Texas Wind February 2008

This is a New York Times article which includes a slide show.

Dallas & Houston Make List of Top Green Power Purchasers January 2008

The EPA has issued a press release saying that wind power has propelled the cities of Dallas and Houston onto the Environmental Protection Agency’s national list of top green power purchasers. Dallas took the ninth spot on the list by buying 40 percent of its power from wind sources. Houston took the No. 12 spot by using wind power for 20 percent of its purchased-electricity needs. According to the EPA, these two purchases equal the amount of electricity needed to power an estimated 61,000 average American homes each year. Also, Austin and Austin Independent School District were ranked at number five and seven on the EPA’s Top 10 local government green power purchasers.

U.S. Wind Power Capacity Surged Up 45% in 2007 January 2008

The U.S. wind energy industry installed 5,244 megawatts (MW) of wind power capacity in 2007, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). The rapid growth shatters all previous records and boosts the total U.S. wind power capacity by 45% in only one year. Texas leads the states in terms of new wind power capacity installed in 2007, with 1,618 MW of new capacity, further cementing the state's lead in total installed wind power capacity.

San Antonio to Build First CNG Refueling Station January 2008

Clean Energy has been awarded the contract by the City of San Antonio to design, build and operate the city's first compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling station, which will initially fuel 15 refuse trucks and is expected to expand to fuel 30 refuse trucks by next year. This move will make the city's CNG refuse fleet the largest in Texas.