Austin Energy Green Building updated their green building rating requirements to stay ahead of the new energy code, which took effect October 1.
AEGB manager Richard Morgan says, “We’ve raised the bar. We’re looking beyond kilowatt hours and gallons of water saved, because the building community is really starting to get that.”
For homes to earn a 2-star rating under the single family system, builders will have to create a construction waste management plan. 
This will help the City of Austin reach its Zero Waste Goal of reducing waste sent to the landfill by 90 percent by 2040.
The changes are designed to further advance ambitious City of Austin sustainability goals that include the Zero Energy Capable Homes Plan, the Austin Climate Protection Plan and the Zero Waste Goal. They include social equity and economic viability aspects and effect multi-family building as well. Read the full article on the AE website:
http://tinyurl.com/269er96
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make on a daily basis are so important, and sometimes it’s hard to do what we know we need to. Here’s some support on everything from reusing plastic, remembering totes, using less paper, adjusting household temps up or down, to switching to CFL’s. For the I-know-I-should-but… crowd!
t, structural materials, is projected to grow by 29.2% in that same time period. The second largest segment is interior materials, then exterior, with projected growth rates of 24% and 20.6% respectively . 
completed an additional six schools, bringing the total number to 28. The estimated savings for those 28 schools is 120,744 kWh annually and is expected to reduce Austin Energy’s peak demand by 17 kW. Another 20 solar systems are expected to be installed at schools throughout the year.
spend 20% of their energy bill on cooling in the summer- and it Texas it’s probably well above that average! We installed these in our Stanberry Westlake office, and are saving about $200 a month on our electric bill! 
In the Energy Policy Examiner, Clifford Bryan writes about the many green jobs that are showing up as sustainable building practices increase demand for green construction workers.
comprehensive plans. The fund allows technical assistance, training, education, project implementation of commercially-available energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, but can’t be used for research activities or construction. Lots of good work will be accomplished through this program and funding. 