Trainings and Events
SmartWaySA Kickoff Events
August 31 through September 3 – Various Times – Sunset Station Depot 4
SmartWaySA is a process to develop VIA’s Long Range Comprehensive Transportation Plan. The Plan will establish policy structure, set forth strategies, and provide a framework for directing future transit investments in Bexar County. In addition, the Plan will identify the financial resources and tools necessary to implement and sustain these services. A series of kickoff meetings will take place the week of August 31st through September 3rd. More information can be found at http://www.smartwaysa.com/
"Looking to Europe for a Greener Tomorrow" - a USGBC lecture and mixer
September 2 – 9:15 to 8:45pm – San Antonio Central Library
The U.S. Green Building Council's Central Texas - Balcones Chapter will host Jerry Yudelson, one of the country's leading green building authorities, for a lecture entitled "Looking to Europe for a greener tomorrow - accelerating Central Texas green building by looking to our European colleagues for inspiration." Hear how Europe's latest green building techniques could accelerate the Central Texas green building movement. Tickets can be purchased here. Questions? Contact jbaxterlynn@usgbc-centraltexas.org or programs@usgbc-centraltexas.org
Solar Hot Water Workshop
September 3 – 10:00am to 12:00pm – International Center
Participants in this workshop will learn the fundamentals of solar hot water systems for heating domestic hot water. Presenters include Liza Meyer of the City of San Antonio, Tony Stephenson of Solar Texas, Carol Zernial of the WellMed Foundation, and Matt Haecker of CPS Energy Cost is $15 for SSA Members or $20 General Admission. For more information please contact Eric Washburn at 210-354-0236 or ewashburn@solarsanantonio.org
Green Your Home
September 12 – 10am to 12noon– Lion’s Field - 2809 Broadway
Learn how to improve your home’s efficiency in Energy, Water, Indoor Air Quality, Site Preservation, and Materials. Cost is $25. Cost includes a copy of Build San Antonio Green’s “Green Retrofit Homeowner Recommendations.” Space is limited. Register at http://www.buildsagreen.org/gyhreg.html or contact Kris Zebrowski at 210.224.7278. This event is sponsored by Build San Antonio Green.
Geothermal Symposium
September 19 – 8am to 4pm – Trinity University’s Chapman Center Auditorium
Texas has the potential to be number one in the nation for geothermal energy, just as it has for solar. South Texas has a particular feasibility for geothermal air conditioning and electricity generation. Geothermal is a clean, reliable source of energy that uses mature technology and is fuel- and emissions-free. The cost and payback time for residential and small business geothermal are roughly equivalent to those of solar photovoltaics. The cost for central geothermal in Texas is projected to be lower than elsewhere because previously drilled spent oil and gas wells can be used for geothermal piping. The symposium is open to the interested public as well as to energy professionals. The registration fee is $25, ($12 for high school and college students). Attending Professional Engineers will receive a certificate for four Professional Development Hours toward renewal of their PE license. Registration deadline is September 12. For registration information, call 210-999-7601 or click here.
2009 Advancing the Choice Conference: Here’s Your Fuel Sign
September 22 – 8:00am to 4:00 pm – COSA Northeast Service Center
Alamo Area Clean Cities will host the 2009 Advancing the Choice Conference: Here’s Your Fuel Sign on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 – 9:00am to 4:00 pm at the City of San Antonio Northeast Service Center (10303 Tool Yard Road). Registration begins at 8am. For more information, contact Christopher Ashcraft of AACOG at 210-362-5228.
LEED Core Concepts & Strategies Workshop
September 25 – 8:30am to 5:00pm – International Center
This workshop provides essential knowledge of the LEED Rating Systems and sustainable building concepts for those seeking a better understanding of LEED or pursuing GBCI’s LEED Green Associate credential. By presenting LEED concepts at the credit category level – across building types and rating systems – and basics on the building certification process, this workshop provides the foundation required for any 300-level LEED education offering. Real project examples help demonstrate and reinforce learning. To register, click here.
HARC's Hydrogen Education Workshop
September 28 – 2:30 to 5:30pm – AACOG
Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) will hold a Hydrogen Education Workshop. This will be open to anyone interested in the latest in hydrogen technology such as fuel cells, and applications including transportation. The workshop will teach the basics of hydrogen, how it is produced, how it can be used as a fuel, fuel cell basics, etc. This will include an "idea session" related to introduction of / applications of hydrogen-powered vehicles & transportation in the community. HARC hopes to have on display both a hydrogen-fueled forklift from HEB through Susan Ghertner and the hydrogen-fueled shuttle bus now stationed at the UT-Austin's Pickle Research Campus.
NREL Hydrogen Code Session
September 29 – All Day – AACOG
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). will teach a day-long Hydrogen Code Session. The primary audience is staff from local governments interested in learning about safety code related to hydrogen fueling (i.e. fire marshall, city/county code compliance inspection) and engineering related to hydrogen fueling infrastructure (city managers, city/county engineers, etc.). The focus is on public safety and engineering for this session.
ASES Solar Tour of San Antonio
October 3
Solar San Antonio is coordinating the ASES Solar Tour of San Antonio October 3, and have begun accepting suggestions for relevant solar projects completed in San Antonio for this year's tour. All solar projects are acceptable, including old and new commercial and residential projects in the San Antonio area. Projects that were included in last year's tour are also acceptable. Please send all suggestions to Eric Washburn at 210-354-0236 or ewashburn@solarsanantonio.org.
LEED General Contractors Course
November 6 – 8:30am to 12:30pm – International Center
This course is designed to help general contractors and construction managers understand LEED® as it relates to their project role, with a focus on technical requirements (particularly materials, resources, and indoor environmental quality credits). The course includes strategies for general contractor and subcontractor documentation and costs tracking. To register, click here.
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OEP Documents
• Mission Verde Sustainability Plan
• CAEL Green Jobs Initiative Report to San Antonio
• COSA 2009 Air Quality Health Alert Plan
• COSA 2009 Drought Operations Plan |
OEP Staff
-Laurence Doxsey, Director
-Liza Meyer, Special Projects Manager
-Bill Barker, Senior Management Analyst
-Julia Diana, Senior Management Analyst
-Philip Gates, Senior Management Analyst
-Robert Young, Management Intern
-Sonia Hernandez, Administrative Associate
Physical Address
111 Soledad, Suite 725
San Antonio, TX 78205
ph:210-207-6372
fax:210-207-4396
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 839966
San Antonio, TX
78283-3966 |
OEP and COSA News
DOE Tours Two San Antonio Solar Installations
In late July, a representative from the US Department of Energy visited San Antonio as part of the continuous support provided by DOE as part of the Solar America Cities Program. Of particular interest to the visitor were two solar installations, one at the Pearl Brewery and one at Tessman Road Landfill.
 The 200-kilowatt photovoltaic array of solar panels atop a former warehouse facility being adapted for office, retail and residential use at the Pearl Brewery site is the largest solar installation in Texas. The $1.35 million initiative was a joint project between Silver Ventures and CPS Energy and generates about one-quarter of the 67,000 square-foot building’s total energy needs.
The Tessman Road Landfill project uses a first-of-its-kind solar technology where flexible, laminate-type photovoltaic (PV) solar collection strips are directly adhered to the synthetic geomembrane used to cover and close a landfill as it reaches capacity. The project covers 5.6 acres of the 680-acre landfill with the solar energy cover, attaching over 1,000 flexible solar strips to the landfill's south facing side slope.
Become a Facebook Fan of San Antonio Bikes
The Office of Environmental Policy has developed a Facebook page entitled San Antonio Bikes to keep people informed of happenings and events that affect the bicycling community. OEP staff will provide new content and materials on a regular basis, and the site will allow the bicycling community to share information and have discussions about topics important to bicycling in San Antonio. Since being launched in mid-August, the site has already attracted over 100 “fans”, and all interested parties are welcome to sign-up and follow the conversation.
A direct link to the page is: http://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Antonio-TX/San-Antonio-Bikes/114934630825?ref=nf
5th Annual Walk & Roll Personal Challenge
 To promote a better quality of life in this region, the Alamo Area Council of Governments and San Antonio-Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization are challenging area citizens to log 200,000 “smart” miles during the month of September for the 5th Annual Walk & Roll Personal Challenge. Smart miles are those traveled for work, recreation, exercise, or errands that do not involve driving as a single occupant in a vehicle. Such miles improve health, reduce traffic, and save gas money. Competition categories include Walking, Cycling, Busing, and Carpooling/Vanpooling, and prizes (valued at $100 or more) will be awarded for each category. For more information and to register visit www.walkandrollchallenge.com. Remember to log your "alternative" transportation miles for valuable prizes!
The City of San Antonio Becomes a Member of ICLEI
 The City of San Antonio is now officially a member of ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives). ICLEI membership places the city in the largest network of communities addressing environmental sustainability. Over 1098 cities, towns, counties, and their associations worldwide comprise ICLEI's membership. ICLEI works with these and hundreds of other local governments through international performance-based, results-oriented campaigns and programs. ICLEI provides technical consulting, training, and information services to build capacity, share knowledge, and support local government in the implementation of sustainable development at the local level with the understanding that locally designed initiatives can provide an effective and cost-efficient way to achieve local, national, and global sustainability objectives. More information can be found on ICLEI’s website at http://www.iclei.org/.
2009 San Antonio Rock and Roll Marathon
 Registration is now open for the 2009 Rock & Roll Marathon. The event will be a beta-test for some of the City's green initiatives including recycling, the use of alternative fuels, and an overall reduction in paper event registration and marketing materials. The race will take place on November 15, 2009.
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