In this issue:
• Stage 2 Drought Restrictions Likely
• HERS Training
• The Greening of UTHSC
• COSA Walk & Roll Corporate Challenge
• Success Story
• 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. 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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City Council Approves STEP Funding Mechanism
 After much anticipation, the City Council has approved the Save For Tomorrow Energy Plan (STEP) funding mechanism. This ambitious plan is designed to save 771 Megawatts by 2020 at a cost of $850 million. STEP will cover CPS Energy’s traditional energy efficiency programs as well as increased demand side management efforts. While the results are expected to be significant, initial costs for consumers will be modest. For example, in the first three years of its implementation, customers are expected to pay $.03, $.38, and $.95 extra each month. However, over time this investment will defer the need to build new power plants. The result is cleaner air and less reliance on fossil fuels. This represents a concerted effort to approach energy efficiency as a “fifth fuel” that will complement traditional as well as renewable energy sources. In addition, this will create a demand for green jobs as there will be increased interest in promoting residential and commercial efficiency. CPSE has a record of innovation and reliable service and STEP will ensure that they are able to continue in this capacity. This is just one of their many commitments to sustainability and will allow for further developments in this area.
Read more
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Stage Two Drought Restrictions Likely
As you may know, San
Antonio is currently in Stage 1 Drought Restrictions and we are on the verge of entering Stage 2 if conservation efforts or additional rainfall do not curb the rapid drop in our aquifer. Stage 2 will be triggered when the Edwards Aquifer reaches 650 ft. and we are not far from that level.
Read more
HERS Rater Training
If you are interested in becoming certified as a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Rater or Field Inspector there are several great training opportunities coming up. This month there will be courses on June 3-5 in San Antonio and in Austin June 17-19 & 24-26.
Read more
San Antonio Walk & Roll Challenge
During the month of June, the City of San Antonio will compete with other area businesses to accumulate the most smart miles per employee. Smart miles refers to commuting to and from the workplace by carpooling/vanpooling, riding the bus, walking, cycling—just don’t drive alone. It's fun and easy and you can learn more at the AACOG website. You may also view instructions in the Downloads Documents section of this newsletter.
The Greening of UTHSC
In recognition of the connections between public and environmental health the UT Health Science Center is working to promote a cleaner, greener community. Their many noteworthy efforts include the construction of the South Texas Research Facility according to LEED Silver standards, a ‘Green IT’ effort to reduce PC energy consumption, phasing out older vehicles to be replaced with hybrids, an aggressive recycling campaign, among others. Visit their website for more information.
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Download Documents
• Mission Verde Sustainability Plan
• Cael Green Jobs Initiative Report
• 2009 Walk and Roll Corporate Challenge Instructions |
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
-Aaron Stein, Administrative Associate
-Sonia Hernandez, Administrative Associate
Physical Address
111 Soledad San Antonio, TX 78205
ph:210-207-6372
fax:210-207-4396 |
Success Story
 We would like to
congratulate the winners of the 1st annual
COSA Green Building
awards.
This represents a
collaborative effort
between the City of San Antonio and Build San Antonio Green. Awards were granted for Commercial, Residential, Green Practitioner, and Bill Sinkin Solar Awards. Among the winners was our own John Igo Library. For a complete list of winners
click here.
USGBC Quarterly Meeting
The Balcones Chapter of the US Green Building Chapter- Emerging Green Builders will hold their quarterly meeting on Tuesday, June 2 at the Lion and the Rose at 410 and Blanco at 6:00 pm. Emerging Green Builders are students and young professionals who are interested in promoting the green building movement. You may contact Heather Holdridge by email or phone at 210-227-3335 for more information. |
