14 May EcoBits May 14th – May 21st, 2015: Wind Power Milestone, Lady Bird Lake, and Loads of Volunteer Opportunities
The announcement comes as Austin Energy brings on two new commercial wind plants, both of which just opened in April. Together, they account for 500 MW of capacity, enough to power 100,000 homes and to nearly double Austin Energy's wind power portfolio.
“We are now able to add more renewable wind power because of the strength of the state’s utility grid,” said Larry Weis, General Manager of Austin Energy, in a press release. “With successes like this, Austin Energy will be able to surpass its 2020 goal of 35 percentrenewable energy production, and propel us toward the goal of 55 percent renewable energy power supply to our customers." Learn more>>
[Energy] Austin City Council gave initial approval last week to temporarily extend reduced rate contracts for several large industrial electricity users currently operating within city limits. For years, these businesses, which include Samsung, have enjoyed favorable contracts, paying electricity rates lower than those paid by other Austin Energy customers.
But, those contracts are about to expire, with the potential to make utility bills at businesses like Samsung jump by about 40 percent. The Texas legislature has also weighed in, threatening Austin Energy
In the wake of all of this back-and-forth, council decided on a short term contract extension, giving them enough time to come up with a more palatable long term solution. More info>>
[Water/Transportation]Debate over the proposed construction of a double decker toll road bridge overLady Bird Lake continued this week. Austin City Council passed a resolution calling for the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) to not consider this project as a "preferred option" and instead, to study other solutions for dealing with traffic in the area.
Despite this, CAMPO went on to pass its 2040 Regional Transportation Plan later in the week, which includes the construction of the double decker bridge, as well as the environmentally-controversial SH 45SW. However, Austin City Council Member Ann Kitchen (District 5) was able to insert language into the plan that allows for alternatives to building the double decker bridge over Lady Bird Lake to be considered.
Stay up-to-date on this road project with the Save Our Springs Alliance>>
[Water/Transportation]Famed Austinite Luci Baines Johnson (daughter of president Lyndon B. Johnson) also weighed in on the double decker toll road bridge over Lady Bird Lake, writing a letter to city council urging them to do anything they could to prevent the project from moving forward. In her letter, she wrote that while she is aware that traffic is a major issue in Austin, Lady Bird Lake is too important to put into harms way and more creative transportation solutions should be sought.
"My mother, along with a host of dedicated citizens, worked hard to create this magical spot for all of us to enjoy for generations," Johnson wrote about Lady Bird Lake. "It is a city signature that makes Austin a destination to treasure. I am deeply worried about the noise, esthetic, and environmental impact a flyover would have…"
[Transportation] It's Bike Month! You can celebrate by trying out bike commuting as part of the Commute Solutions challenge. Log every mile you bike from May 11th to May 22nd on myCommuteSolutions.com and be entered to win all sorts of fun prizes, including an iPod Shuffle and a FitBit. Learn more>>
[Transportation] And while you're celebrating Bike Month, don't forget to mark your calendar for Bike To Work Day on Friday, May 15th. Sponsored by the City of Austin and about a dozen different local business, Bike To Work Day encourages Austinites to start using bicycles as a means of transportation. During the morning commute, there will be 15 fueling stations set up throughout the city handing out free coffee and snacks and in the evening there will be an inaugural Bike Home From Work Day Party at Cheer Up Charlies. Learn more>>
[Transportation] How do you get around Austin? How do you wish you could get around Austin? Make your voice be heard with MobilityATX, an online public forum designed to solicit opinions and solutions about Austin's traffic problems. A collaborative effort amongst several community groups, businesses, and Capital Metro, MobilityATX only works if the general public gets involved.
Over the next few months, MobilityATX will guide several online and face-to-face discussions to solicit the best ideas from the community about ways to fix Austin's traffic problems. Afterwards, they will present those ideas to city council and other decision makers that have the power to put them into action. They're calling them crowdsourced public policy solutions, but it won't work without the crowd, so get involved today>>
[Recycling/Zero Waste] The recycling sector in Austin generated $720 million in 2014, according to a new study commissioned by the City of Austin. The study also revealed that the recycling and reuse industry employed 2,600 people last year and has the potential to grow by more than 50 percent in the upcoming years.
"This report both confirms that zero waste activities play an important role in our economy and that we have more work to do to maximize this sector’s potential economic impact,” said Bob Gedert, Director of Austin Resource Recovery, in a press release. “Despite our green reputation, we lag behind the national average in recycling-related manufacturing and we need to take action to correct that.” You can read the entire report here>>
[Recycling/Zero Waste] You see it everyday in Austin – whole buildings being torn down to make way for new condos, restaurants, and retail space. All of that demolition creates a lot of waste, and unfortunately, most of it ends up on a one-way trip to the landfill. Kathy Robinson and The ReUse People are trying to change that.
Kathy is the Austin Area Manager of ReUse People, a nonprofit organization that facilitates building deconstruction. As opposed to demolition, deconstruction seeks to systematically dismantle a structure, so that its materials can be salvaged and reused. The ReUse People have been working all over the country for over 20 years, but they just launched in Austin. In her new AEN blog, Kathy talks about The ReUse People's first Austin deconstruction project and asks for the support of the environmental community in spreading the word about the benefits of reuse.You can read her blog here>>
[Food/Gardening] Only a few spots left! Connect deeply with nature and learn about her intricacies with the 2015 Summer Intensive Permaculture Design Course from the Austin Permaculture Guild.
The course is designed to expand your working knowledge of sustainability and permaculture design. You will be camping on the 2-acre property, at the Whole Life Learning Center, with a group of like-minded and inspired individuals, sharing in community, education, and wholesome food. In this enriching environment you will learn all of the skills necessary to holistically and creatively design a sustainable homestead, farm, or business that will be resilient and regenerative.
The course runs from June 1st – 14th and the cost covers camping, 3 meals a day sourced locally and organically, hands on projects, and classroom instruction from two experienced instructors, Theron Beaudreau and Taelor Monroe. This two week intensive immersion in permaculture design will earn you a PRI certified certificate in permaculture design. Learn more>>
[Kid Friendly] Growin' Together summer camp registration is now open! At Growin' Together, the values of community, sustainability, and respect for the planet are shared with kids from the ages of 4 to 12. Their camps explore a new theme each week and all kids are invited to explore at their own pace and level of interest. You can learn more about each of the week's themes or sign your kids up for camp here>>
[Eco Education] Registration is now open for Groundwater to the Gulf, a summer institute for Central Texas educators. Every year, water experts from over 13 agencies in Central Texas combine forces to take 50 teachers to the aquatic hotspots in and around Austin. They go caving, canoeing, hiking, and splashing in streams – all in the name of science.
It is a fun, free way to earn 22 continuing education credits and gives teachers the opportunity to dip their hands into local water topics and activities. You can learn more about the institute or register to attend here>>
[SXSW Eco] It's that time of year again! SXSW Eco has opened
- Login or create an account in SXSW Eco's PanelPicker app.
- Read through intriguing session ideas and get inspired to change the world.
- Rank 1-5 stars, give some feedback and submit your evaluations.
- Spread the word – Feel free to promote your favorite submissions and get people in on the conversation.
- Your vote will help SXSW Eco decide which panels will actually make it to the conference floor. Your opinion matters! Learn more>>
[Volunteer] You can be a part of the coolest tour in town. The Texas Solar Energy Society and Austin Energy Green Building are looking for volunteers for the Cool House Tour on June 7th. This annual event allows Austinites to explore some of the most energy efficient and sustainably-designed homes in Central Texas. Volunteers are needed to greet tour-goers and collect tickets. In exchange, volunteers will be rewarded with free tour tickets to use after their shifts are done. You can sign up to be a volunteer here>>
[Volunteer] June 6th is National Trails Day, the country's largest celebration of trails. National Trails Day events will take place in every state across the country and will include hikes, biking, paddling trips, birdwatching, geocaching, gear demonstrations, stewardship projects and more.
In Austin, the Hill Country Conservancy, Texas Conservation Corps, and the Austin Parks Foundation are teaming up to celebrate by hosting several trail repair and cleanup events throughout the city. Sign ups are now open for volunteers who want to donate their time from 9am to noon on Saturday, June 6th. All of the hard work will be followed by a Volunteer Appreciation Party at Roy G. Guerrero park from 12:30pm to 2:30pm. Learn more>>
[Volunteer] The Austin Parks Foundation is currently scheduling volunteer tree mulching projects for the summer. If your neighborhood park treeshaven't seen much love in the past few years, email Bill Stout to set up a mulching event!
No Comments