In this issue:
• OEP Submits Applications for Stimulus Funds
• Stage 3 Drought Restrictions Looming
• CPSE Unveils Cutting-Edge Solar Project
• OEP Submits COSA Energy Usage to SECO
• Success Story
• Solar 102 Workshop
• USGBC Quarterly Meeting
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Welcome
The Office of Environmental Policy (OEP) is pleased to provide you with up-to-date information about environmental news and events from within San Antonio and surrounding areas. There are lot of exciting things going on and those of us at OEP are doing our best to stay on top of these efforts to promote economic growth through sustainable development.
Please review this month's stories and, as always, you may find out more of what we are doing by visiting our website. It is constantly being updated with new content and information so don't forget to check it out regularly. We are interested in what you think so feel free to send information or comments to us. Thanks and we hope you enjoy.
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OEP Submits Applications for Stimulus Funds
 The deadline to apply for funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act recently passed and the Office of Environmental Policy submitted applications for several projects. This effort represents a collaboration between our staff, the City's Executive leadership, and the Department of Energy. Funds will be directed to areas that are intended to stimulate job growth and preservation and promote environmental as well as economic improvements. While the efforts up to this point have involved a great deal of hard work and planning, the real work begins once the applications are approved and funds begin to be distributed. That is when all of the exciting work begins on our many great projects. Several members of our staff have grant management expertise and we are ready for this important work.
While we are confident that the applications we submitted will be accepted in their current form, we cannot say for sure just what the final projects will consist of until they are approved by the Department of Energy. The City Council approved four main categories of projects for our office. These are: Community Green Retrofit Program; Municipal Facility Retrofit Program; Transportation Enhancement Incentive; and Mission Verde Center. Within each category there are several individual projects that apply to a range of environmental and community enhancements. OEP will also receive over $12 million of residential weatherization funds that we will use to help homeowners save energy and money.
We will of course keep you updated of our specific projects and provide status reports periodically. Soon enough you will be able to see the tangible results as these contracts become finalized and we get people to work realizing them. This is an exciting time for our field and we look forward to sharing the positive results of our efforts with you. |
Stage Three Drought Restrictions Looming
San Antonio will likely enter Stage 3 Drought Restrictions and with continued hot and dry conditions we have seen a rapid drop in our aquifer over the past month. In fact, we have seen declines of a foot or more per day in recent weeks! At this point Stage 4 is not out of the question and there is no telling when the next rainfall will come. Please be mindful or your water usage and avoid excessive outdoor irrigation to help us conserve our most precious natural resource.Read More
CPSE Unveils Cutting-Edge Solar Installation
CPS Energy has established itself as an industry leader in terms of its wind capacity, but now they are working to aggressively expand investments in solar energy. They unveiled a plan that calls for entering a 20-year PPA with Tessera Solar to purchase energy from a West Texas solar array that will make its way to San Antonio. This project will consist of 1,080 SunCatchers that will create 27 MW of energy. The advantage to this strategy is that it allows for a more complete reliance on renewable energy because as the sun begins to set, wind picks up and enters its most productive period during the night. Steps like these advance the goal of lessening our dependence on fossil fuels. Read More
OEP Submits COSA Energy Usage to SECO
As part of our requirements under Senate Bill 12, the City of San Antonio must report annual energy usage to the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO). All public entities in Texas are expected to reduce energy consumption by 5% each year and proper reporting is essential in that effort. You may see our various efforts towards reducing energy here and actual month-by-month energy consumption figures here. Many of the ambitious energy efficiency programs that we are currently working on should help us achieve even greater savings and we look forward to furthering these goals.
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Download Documents
• Mission Verde Sustainability Plan
• Cael Green Jobs Initiative Report
• 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, City Management Intern
-Aaron Stein, Administrative Associate
-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 |
Success Story
 The May Window
Workshop hosted by the City's Office of Historic Preservation was a great success and the response was so favorable that they will host another Historic Window Restoration Workshop on July 31- August 1.
Caring for historic structures by proper maintenance and upkeep is important in the overall effort to promote sustainability. This hands-on training will be held at Fire Station #11 on 323 S. Frio. Participants will learn how to assess the condition of windows and how to properly remove, repair, and replace them. Space is limited so for registration or other information contact Molly Matthews soon!
Solar 102 Workshop
Solar energy is emerging as an important component of our city's fuel mix and the need for trained installers and professionals is sure to grow. Solar San Antonio is ahead of this trend and will host a workshop on how to go solar. This event will be held at the Bright Shawl on July 17th from 7:30 to 2pm. You may register here or Contact Eric Washburn for more information. This looks like a great event so make sure you attend.
USGBC Quarterly Meeting
The Balcones Chapter of the US Green Building Chapter- Emerging Green Builders is forming a LEED v3 Green Associate exam study group. The first meeting will be held on Monday, July 13th at 6:30 pm at Joeris General Contractors. You may contact Heather Holdridge by email or phone at 210-227-3335 for more information. |
