[Transportation] Austin B-cycle launched the new “B-cycle For All” program this week, making the bike rental service more accessible to the city’s low-income residents. Under the program, anyone living in Austin and making less than $25,000 a year is eligible for reduced membership fees as low as $5. (Full-time students are not eligible).

In an increased effort to make bicycling a viable, low-cost transportation option for the city’s low-income residents, Austin B-cycle has also opened up three new B-cycle stations at Santa Rita Courts, Chalmer Courts and Capital Studios.To sign up for the new program, call 512-954-1665, or stop by the B-cycle offices at 1000 Brazos Street.More info>>

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[Transportation] How’s this for alternative transportation? A video game developer and entrepreneur has pitched an idea for a one-of-a-kind personal rapid transit system at the University of Texas. The $106 million project would be privately funded and consist of a 7.2 mile system of elevated tramways, running alongside city streets from West Campus, in and around the University of Texas, and then on to university facilities just east of I-35. Running along the tracks would be battery-powered, self-driving pod cars that each seat six.Sounds interesting, right? For now, that’s pretty much all that city officials have said. Austin’s traffic problems have gotten so bad that all options are on the table, but there is still a great deal of skepticism that this plan will have to overcome in order to move forward.
For more info, be sure to check out this latest Austin America-Statesman article>>

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[Transportation] Speaking of alternative transportation, Electric Avenue Scooters is now offering test rides of the A2B electric bike. They’ll be at the Sustainable Food Center‘s Triangle Farmers Market each Wednesday from 3pm to 7pm. The very sleek-looking A2B bike is 100 percent electric-powered, but still allows you to do the pedaling. The electric motor simply gives you the extra boost you need, when you need it. It also makes city biking easier, by taking the effort out of stopping and starting at traffic lights and stop signs. More info>>

Can’t make it to the farmers market? Electric Avenue Scooters will also be offering test rides of the A2B electric bike at its physical location at 4616 Triangle Avenue, Suite 403. Just give them a call at 512-608-4090 to set up an appointment.

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[Climate Change] The Clean Power Plan has opened up an important opportunity for the environmental movement – the chance to finally connect to low-income communities. That’s because the plan’s impact on low-income communities is still in dispute, and if the Clean Power Plan is ever going to be truly successful, it needs to benefit these groups of people who have historically been ignored.Here in Austin, the Sierra Club is already working on that, going door-to-door in East Austin and offering up tips on how to lower energy use and take advantage of the city’s energy efficiency rebates.

“It’s very critical for the broader environmental movement to establish pathways to low-income communities, especially communities of color,” said Dave Cortez, senior organizer of the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign, in a recent Austin American-Statesman article. You can read the entire story here>>

Want to get involved with the Sierra Club’s efforts? They’re having a meeting this Saturday, August 22nd from 12:30pm to 1:30pm at the Texas Conference of Urban Counties building at 500 W. 13th Street. For more information, email Dave Cortez at david.cortez@sierraclub.org.

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[Climate Change] On the heels of the Clean Power Plan, the Obama Administration and the EPA have just announced new rules to cut methane emissions as well. The new rules target methane leaks from oil and gas production, but will only apply to new equipment and wells. The EPA predicts that these new rules will reduce methane emissions by 20 to 30 percent.

Methane is a greenhouse gas that is 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide, although it doesn’t hang around in the atmosphere for nearly as long.The new rules are just a proposal at this point. The EPA will now collect public comments and then release the final rules before Obama leaves office in January 2017. More info>>

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[Recycling/Zero Waste] Have a drawer full of old batteries that you don’t know what to do with? Now’s the time to get rid of them with the city’s Austin Recharge Challenge. From now through September 18th, participating local libraries will be competing to see which branch can collect the most single-use and rechargeable batteries. The winning library will receive a $1,000 grant to help fund a sustainable project at their branch.
Why recycle batteries? Batteries contain metals that can be harmful to the environment if they are not disposed of properly. Since starting its own battery recycling program in 1999, the City of Austin has collected more than 457,000 pounds of batteries.More info>>

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[Recycling/Zero Waste] The City of Austin needs your help. A recent study found that 44 percent of what we throw away is actually recyclable. That’s a big problem, so now the city is asking you – what do you think is causing this problem? And how can we fix it?

The city wants your opinions, ideas, thoughts, and insights on how to increase recycling in Austin. If you’re interested in helping, you can fill out this survey, or text your thoughts to 512-580-7778.

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[Recycling/Zero Waste] Does your school need recycling bins? Then you’re in luck because the State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR) is giving away hundreds of them through their bin grant program. Applications for the grant are now being accepted and are due September 9th. Eligibility requirements and application information are available here>>