The top ten are California, Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, Colorado, New York, Vermont, Texas, Massachusetts and New Mexico.

Site Selection Managing Editor Adam Bruns says “Top-ranking areas for sustainability don’t just pass restrictive laws or put token solar panels on every edifice. They nurture an ecosystem of business, institutions, government and individual citizens all striving to place a proper value on their locality’s limited resources, and sometimes to make or save money in the process.”

So, Go Texas and Go Austin Metro!  Bring on the leadership to move us to number one!

Last year, 80 billion square feet of commercial building space consumed roughly 20 percent of all energy in the U.S. economy.  This new energy saving, sustainable building product will debut at the 2011 AIA conference in New Orleans on May 12.

Read more at http://www.4-traders.com/ALCOA-4813/news/ALCOA-Unveils-Revolutionary-Sustainable-Solution-for-Commercial-Buildings-13621110/

 Their program is offered all over Central Texas, and they have homes priced from the $170s to $350s.  The plans include many high performance green features that can save homeowners as much as 50% on their energy bills, depending, of course on your lifestyle, number of occupants, and the size of the home.  These green, energy saving features are becoming more in demand in the marketplace, which means they add value when it comes time to sell (we Realtors are always looking ahead to resale value!).  If you want to find out more about “Build on Your Lot” options, and who is doing what locally, shoot us an email or call.

The recent global economic downturn did not have the expected negative impact on consumer appetite for green products and services, and this continuing consumer demand is a driving force behind the growing number of CEOs in all sectors who feel that sustainability issues will increasingly become integral to all aspects of their business. This thinking is in turn becoming the market force, driving commercial landlords to increasingly view green features as a necessity when it comes to attracting and retaining these sustainably minded businesses as tenants, although the reality is that many landlords do not yet have much to offer in the way of sustainable product and are only just beginning to take their portfolios in this direction.   Read it here: http://tinyurl.com/4depvrq  

Nearly one quarter of all venture capital in the U.S. right now goes into clean tech ventures, compared with less than 1% in 2000.  With that kind of investment, we can expect to see this market segment take off.  Now that’s progress! 

The solar photovoltaics market grew an average of 40% every year over the past decade, from 2.5 billion in 200o to $71.2 billion in 2010.  The average cost of installing solar has dropped by almost half.  The wind industry grew similarly, with an average of 30% growth per year from $4.5 billion to $60.5 billion last year. 

More than 1.4 million hybrid cars are on U.S. roads now, compared to less than 10,000 only ten years ago, and companies involved in green construction and the smart grid are proliferating, according to the report.  Thank you, Clean Edge, for the reminder that we are indeed making progress in this arena– and the head’s up that the momentum is building! 

Read more in the excellent LA Times article here:  http://tinyurl.com/4rb5t7p

Our well respected builder friend, Wayne Jeansonne of Solluna Builders, who helped build the house, said it is the first house in Round Rock to qualify for any kind of AEGB rating, let alone receive five stars.

Jeansonne said homes must meet 18 indicators in order to even receive a rating and must rack up 125 points to earn five stars—the highest possible rating. The Cripes’ home received 180 points.

Read the full article, with details about their energy saving, sustainable building choices at :

http://tinyurl.com/4neewje

Check this out:  Built Smart Resources in San Antonio has a resource center where you can see green building in action.  What a great way to see renewable energy choices, responsibly sourced building materials, energy saving systems…

The Resource Center has scored the highest Emerald level with the national NAHB Green Building program and achieved the Level 3 Solar Home designation with the Build San Antonio Green Program, and it is open seven days a week for your viewing pleasure! Take an educational drive to our Sister City and come back inspired!

Our water is of a quality where the biggest concern is the chlorine that is added to prevent the treated water from being contaminated as it goes through the municipal pipes.  Try filling a pitcher with water and letting it sit uncovered overnight- the chlorine will evaporate.  You can cover it and keep it in the fridge- chilled and ready to drink, and it saves energy by helping to regulate the temperature in the fridge.

Now, get yourself a great sturdy, reusable bottle or three, and you broke the habit and have great water to drink.  Did you know scientists say it could take up to 1000 years for a plastic water bottle to break down in a landfill?

Water quality… just one more reason to be grateful that you live in Austin, Texas!!

The demand for greener homes in real estate is shifting right now.  National Association of Realtors surveys show that 46% of buyers would prefer a “green” home.  According to a study by McGraw-Hill, about 2% of American homes have notable green features.  That study was done in 2007, so the numbers are certainly higher, but not by a lot.  How’s that for a disconnect that is between supply and demand?  It makes no sense to spend money building or remodeling and NOT choose greener methods and materials.

Right now, Americans are consistently responding in surveys that they will pay more for homes that have energy saving features, recycled or sustainable materials, save resources like old growth trees, and improve air quality.  Building a green home means using more environmentally friendly materials and practices, and setting higher standards for energy efficiency and indoor air quality, while reducing waste in the process.  It’s also not necessarily more expensive.

According to What’s Working (www.whatsworking.com), a 15 year old company that offers traiing on green construction, a green home can be built for less than 1% additional cost– and you’ll see the difference when you are ready to sell.  Many of our local Central Texas builders are making green and energy efficient features standard on new construction.  We can tell you which ones, and compare what they offer.  You will see a difference in your monthly energy bill, and in the value of your home when you are ready to sell.

Today’s ideal home is making way for new ideals: No or low VOC paints and materials, recycled glass tiles, recycled marble flooring and wood. Green materials are available in an array of beautiful choices, and living in a green home offers definite health benefits to you and your family’s respiratory system.

If you are planning to sell now, consider adding some green upgrades that will let your Realtor tell a “greener” story and set your home apart from the competition.  We’d love to show you how.

Edible Austin Eat Local Week will kick off on December 4 at the Austin Farmers’ Market with the City of Austin’s proclamation and with support from other Central Texas communities. Check our website to see a growing list of participating restaurants and markets, featuring locally-sourced entrees and locally-made products. A portion of these sales will go to our beneficiary, Urban Roots. Restaurants & Markets, click here to find out how to participate.

From KUT website, who offers this as a featured event.