Bold Solar Initiatives Could Boost Texas Economy

IC2 Institute's most recent study reports that solar technologies could potentially add 123,000 technology related and manufacturing jobs to Texas by 2030. According to the white paper:

The report evaluates the competitive benefits Texas has in the worldwide market and compares the overall results of Texan efforts against other states and international competitors. The study notes that although Texas consumed more energy than any other state and has the best overall climate for producing solar energy year-round, it ranked 8^th in solar adoption in 2006, producing just 1/100^th of the solar energy of California.

Green Options provides a useful overview of why Texas is in a prime position to make the investment now:

Texas has the sunlight, the land, and the backing of the people to make such alternative energy goals a reality. In a recent survey, 84 percent of Texas power consumers responded favorably to the question “Do you think the Texas Legislature should encourage investment in solar power in Texas?" Combined with rapidly decreasing costs of production and installation of solar cells worldwide, the timing appears right for the Lonestar State to capitalize on its energy potential. Already, plans are coming together to build the largest wind farm in the world in Texas.

With renewable power receiving an intense amount of investment and publicity, I have a feeling that the next decade will usher in a boom for skilled workers looking to capitalize on the next energy revolution. One hopes that more schools and programs will be created to satisfy the massive demand that is coming. The United States cannot afford to ignore these trends -- especially in education -- while the rest of the world graduates tomorrow's skilled labor force. Pony up, Texas. Lead the way.

Obviously everything is bigger in Texas, and now the legislature has the opportunity to make a long-term impact not simply on the great state of Texas but make a BIG impact on the environment as well.

Thanks for the overview Michael!

Austin Among Top 13 "Solar American Cities"

The U.S. Department of Energy has named 13 "Solar America Cities" to receive up to $2.5 million in funding to further the adoption of solar technologies and Austin made the list. Qualifications included a "mature solar infrastructure" and high electricity demand. As reported by Green Wombat:

DOE also handed out $30 million in university grants for research to lower the cost of solar energy and improve its efficiency as well as $27 million to companies for "photovoltaic module incubator projects." Half of the 10 companies selected are Silicon Valley startups: CaliSolar, EnFocus Engineering, Solaria, SolFocus, and SoloPower.

Other cities included San Francisco, Berkeley, and New Orleans. Check out the full list here.

Wynn Encourages Austin Commercial Real Estate to Go Green

Will Wynn is once again stepping up to the "green" plate and asking for the commercial real estate community to work with the Austin Climate Protection Plan in implementing sustainable building strategies. Wynn will speak before a consortium of real estate groups on June 12 as part of a forum presented by The U.S. Green Building Council that will take place from 5pm to 7 pm at the Frank Erwin Center, LoneStar Room. The mayor will be outlining specific goals. According to the Austin Business Journal:

Groups participating in the forum include regional chapters and affiliates from the U.S. Green Building Council, American Institute of Architects, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, the Associated General Contractors of America, Building Owners and Managers of Austin, the Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems, Congress for the New Urbanism and the International Facility Management Association.

Check out the full article here for more details.

Dell: Greener Than The Rest

In celebration of World Environment Day, Michael Dell is announcing his plans to make Dell the greenest technology company on the planet. He pledged:

to reduce our own carbon intensity 15 percent by 2012. We have piloted power management initiatives throughout our global facilities that have shown tremendous energy and cost savings, we're investigating how we can share this with customers.

Dell has clearly been at the forefront of green initiatives in the PC industry. According to ecogeek, they're allowing customers to offset the lifetime carbon of their PCs (and even themselves) and they have developed an excellent recycling strategy and efficient desktop and laptop designs. In an effort to engage greenies far and wide, they are asking for consumers via the environment section IdeaStorm for ideas on going green.

Dell in many ways is the golden child to the Austin hi-tech industry, and with this current committment to green, we look forward to a whole new glow to the Austin and hi-tech communities far and wide!

Subdivisions Get Green!

Architects and developers are quickly jumping on the get green bandwagon with the announcement of a new project that is believed to earn 5 stars under the Austin's Green Building Program.

In addition to adhering to green building and energy standards, the community will attract the active and outdoor Austin resident with ammenities including: a 40-foot wide, pedestrian lane and park around which all of the homes have been designed. The park will include a garden, playground, hike and bike trails and a hammock court.

The development located in East Austin is scheduled to be ready in early 2008. Check out further information here.

Wild Oats and Whole Foods Merger in Question

It seems that the FTC is fearful of Whole Foods taking over the world (and would that be such a bad thing:-?). Today's Austin Business Journal featured an article that highlights the pending merger between Wild Oats and Whole Foods and the FTC's attempts to block the merger. Check out the full article below:

The Federal Trade Commission will sue to stop a pending merger between rival natural foods grocers Wild Oats Markets Inc. and Whole Foods Market Inc.

Boulder-based Wild Oats (NASDAQ: OATS) has agreed to be acquired by Austin-based Whole Foods (NASDAQ: WFMI). The deal was announced in February.

Wild Oats said Tuesday it was informed the FTC will file a federal lawsuit to block the acquisition.

Greg Mays, chairman and CEO of Wild Oats, said in a statement that the company disagrees with the FTC's position. He said the company is confident that the court "will agree that this merger is pro-competitive and the FTC's application for an injunction will be denied, thus allowing us to proceed forward with the merger. "

He said Wild Oats would cooperate with Whole Foods in fighting the FTC in court.

Whole Foods is offering $565 million, or $18.50 a share, for all of Wild Oats' stock. The definitive merger agreement also calls for Whole Foods to assume Wild Oats' debt.

Wild Oats has 110 stores in 24 states and in Canada, while Whole Foods has 194 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Austin Chronicle Goes Green

This one speaks for itself, literally. Pick up a copy of this week's Austin Chronicle.

ps. don't forget to recycle or better yet, keep your paper and use it as gift wrap. Unique and soo austin!

Road to Austin: Green And Charitable

“Where the music matters” is a popular Austin slogan. From struggling one man-shows to elite headliners, Austin is the place where they all come together. In the recent Road to Austin Concert, headliners such as Bonnie Raitt and Delbert McClinton, performed with Austin acts as Ian McLagan and Bob Schneider. While the show was free (thanks to Freescale Seminconductor Inc.), it featured a covered pavillion that housed many local Austin community outreach, charitable, and green organizations including Keep Austin Beautiful and The Sierra Club. In addition, The event adpoted some green initiatives including all electric generators using biofuels and of course the appropriate recycling efforts that are now expected of these types of events.

Recently voted the top green city in America by MSN City Guides, Austin is embracing its musical and environmental awareness and serving as a green leader in a class of its own.

Crosspost with ecorazzi

Austin: The #1 Green City in America

What better way to kick off this blog than by highlighting Austin as number one of the top 10 cities doing the most to realize a sustaining metropolis according to MSN city guide. According to the article:

If you want to sign up for green power from Austin Energy, possibly the greenest power grid in the country, you can get in line—this year's demand was unpredictably high, and they're fresh out. Austin's growing list of proactive energy maneuvers is, to say the least, striking. Not only does Austin lead the country in wind power and biodiesel production, but it has built advanced plug-in hybrid vehicles into its energy strategy.

As part of the recently announced Austin Climate Protection Plan, all facilities, fleets and operations will be carbon-neutral by 2020, and 100 percent of city facilities will be powered by renewable energy by 2012. There will also be CO2 caps and reduction plans for all utility emissions, something the federal government hasn't dared do. According to Roger Duncan, Austin Energy's deputy general manager, the city is ramping up to make both residential and commercial building codes the most energy-efficient in the nation, starting by making all new single-family homes "zero net-energy capable"—meaning they could produce as much energy as they use—by 2015, and increasing energy efficiency by 75 percent in all other new construction. The Clean Energy Incubator, sparked by the National Renewable Energy Lab and managed by the University of Texas at Austin, works closely with the power utility and serves as a test bed for budding startup companies to develop green technologies ranging from solar, biofuels and wind to Internet-controlled irrigation systems.

While the green trend seems to be something new in other cities, it is simply a part of who Austin is. And no doubt, Austin's role as the greenest city in America will help guide other cities towards a healthier and more sustainable future. Get Green Austin!!!!

Note: Read more postings below on all things green about Austin previously posted on The Sunshine Chronicles.

Whole Foods Launches Weekly Cooking Show

In the world of organic and sustainable food, Whole Foods is a celebrity in its own right. While CEO John Mackey has experienced his fair share of controversy lately via blog battles with Michael Pollan, there is no doubt that local and organic food is on the map because Whole Foods helped place it there. And with the recently launched Secret Ingredient, a weekly cooking show, we predict Scott Simons to be a future celebrity in the world of green grub!

According to the press release:

“We hope to deliver inspiration,” said Scott Simons, Whole Foods Market food aficionado and host of Secret Ingredient. “Because we focus on only one ingredient per episode, viewers really get to know the featured item and take away practical cooking tips and recipes. Top that off with easy yet tasty meal solutions and Secret Ingredient is a home cook’s treasure.”

Check out the launch episode featuring Catfish Tacos (farm raised and sustainable) of course). Yumm!!!

Crosspost with ecorazzi

Austin Joins the "Ban The Plastic Bags" Bandwagon

While some may not consider Texas to be the home of environmental awareness, Austin, Texas is home to some environmentally and socially aware celebs like the Dixie Chicks, Sandra Bullock and of course Lance Armstrong. Hailed as the #1 city of cleantech (”clean technology”) by SustainLane Government (home of the infamous Unsustainables), Austin is setting the bar for other cities to follow when it comes to creating opportunities for regional sustainable growth boom in response to recent climate change news and energy price instability.

Jumping on the “ban the plastic bags” bandwagon with San Francisco and Los Angeles, the Austin City Council will consider a resolution this week that could lead to new strategies for reducing waste from non-biodegradable, petroleum-based plastic bags by stores located in the city. Sponsored by City Council Member Lee Leffingwell, City Council Member Mike Martinez and Mayor Will Wynn, the resolution directs city management to analyze and recommend strategies for addressing the environmental impacts of hundreds of thousands of plastic bags that are discarded in Austin each year.

“In Austin, we care about protecting our environment, both locally and globally,” said Council Member Leffingwell, who authored the resolution. “If we can find ways to significantly reduce the use of non-biodegradable, petroleum-based plastic bags in Austin stores, we’ll not only be doing our own community a big favor, but we’ll also be setting an example that could make a meaningful difference for the future of our global environment if it were followed by other cities and states around the country.”

While it is no longer a rare occasion to see stars cruising the flagship Whole Foods, Matthew McConaughey and his reusable bag can’t be far behind:-) Clearly Austin is proving its own “green” star power.

Crosspost with ecorazzi.

SXSW Goes Green

Long hailed the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin is claiming itself green for this year's South by Southwest Music, Film, and Interactive Festival. That's right, this years infamous festival is a totally carbon neutral event. SXSW is working closely with Austin Energy to greening all aspects of the festival starting at their "home" offices to use more efficient heating and cooling systems, replacing light bulbs, and even analyzing the staff's commuting plans to make them more energy friendly. In addition they are committed to aggressive recycling efforts, biodiesel production trucks, buying wind credits from Green Energy Mountain Co, and even working with legislators to strengthen the state's energy policy. The promoters of this event are putting their money where the mouth is and have purchased $5000 from the Austin Parks Department to the purchase and maintenance of native trees.

SXSW is committed for the long haul continuing to seek opportunities to green up their act and encouraging individuals to seek ways to reduce their carbon footprint.

Recently voted the #1 city for Cleantech, this Best Little City in America and perhaps one of the top festivals around is setting a trend that being green is cool.

Austin: The Live "Green" Capitol of the World

Long claimed the live music capital of the world, Austin can add some green to its reputation. SustainLane Government (home of the infamous Unsustainables) recently hailed Austin as the #1 city of cleantech ("clean technology"). Austin is setting the bar for other cities to follow when it comes to creating opportunities for regional sustainable growth boom in response to recent climate change news and energy price instability.

Cleantech is proving a hot investment category with a record $2.9 billion out of $25.5 billion in the United States being committed to cleantech. This trend is only expected to grow. So what is cleantech and why does it matter in our day to day lives?

How people define the category differs, but SustainLane considered the following criteria for its cleantech ranking:

• Energy generation, management and storage, and energy efficiency, including solar, wind, geothermal, fuels cell and hydrogen
• Transportation: advanced transportation technologies, biofuels
• Materials and Green Building: includes advanced materials and engineering approaches, materials recovery
• Water and air related technologies

As home to the Austin Clean Energy Incubator since 2001, Austin is in a prime position to be incubating some of the latest innovations in cleantech.

With seven companies involved in incubating everything from internet-controlled irrigation to wind and geothermal energy technologies, the group works closely with city-owned utility Austin Energy, according to Assistant Director Kurt Faulhaver.

“Austin Energy has been able to open up the grid as a test bed for CEI, which provides an unparalleled connection to opportunities for small-sized Cleantech start-ups,” said Faulhaver. Austin Energy’s Mark Kapner confirmed the utility has been working with numerous start-ups in alpha and beta field testing ranging from solar to biogas, to small-scale wind energy applications

The CEI is also supported by the Texas Energy Conservation Office and The National Renewable Energy Laboratories’ (NREL) National Alliance of Clean Energy Incubators. “Austin has a robust incubator model--it’s a Cleantech incubator within a (more general technology) incubator,” said Marty Murphy, director of NREL enterprise development programs. One CEI biodiesel start-up, Austin Biofuels, recently “graduated” after being sold to Safe Renewables Corp. in Houston in December.

Other cities making the list include San Jose, Berkeley, Pasadena, and Greater Boston. In a state where bigger means better, Austinites can be proud of the big innovation that clearly extends beyond the music, film, and technology industries. Through continued aggressive commitments to cleantech and energy, this "Best Little City in America" is proving itself a big leader in "green" city development.

Whole Foods: Go Big or Go Home

There are few stereotypes I like to promote, however living in Texas, there is no denying that we do things big! And in Austin, The Flagship Whole Foods store is no exception. It is not simply the 80,000 square feet, but the purely experiential aspect of the shopping experience. You can find literally thousands varieties of fruits or vegetables, enjoy dinner at the various food stations all with an impressive spread of prepared food, hang out at the raw food bar, and let us not forget the fair trade dark chocolate fountain as you peruse through the bakery section (which by the way has literally brought a tear to people's eye.) Don't think that the question of over consumption does not pass through this socially conscious collective of consumers, it continues to be a question in people's mind.

Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma and other skeptics criticize Whole Foods food for using their commitment to organic and natural products at the expense of local foods, regional producers and distributers and as a mere marketing ploy. Michael Pollan and John Mackey (CEO of Whole Foods) have had a lively debate that can be seen on John Mackey's blog.

Regardless, Michael Pollan agrees that Whole Foods has played an instrumental role in advancing the awareness of the organic movement, and Austinites agree. Whole Foods is a kind of golden child in Austin, and its customers are a loyal base that support and trust this company's commitment to supporting the local community and sustainable and organic business. Will this commitment and brand loyalty translate across borders? The company plans to open its first store in London in June . It will ideally showcase the same focus on cooking demonstrations, product samplings and in-house eateries that mingle thousands of the freshest and finest natural and organic offerings in every area of the store, with a focus on procuring foods from local growers, food artisans and manufacturers. And as they say in Texas, go big or go home! Whole Foods is leaving its nest, and it is up to the London consumers to empower themselves with the tools of awareness balanced by the convenience and organic shopping experience that Whole Foods is committed to delivering its customers.