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Editorial: New buildings can and should save energy

Buildings use 40 percent of the energy consumed in the U.S. Far too much of that, experts say, is just plain wasted, the result of inefficiencies such as crummy insulation, inefficient hot water heaters and leaky ducts, doors and windows. "Nearly all new buildings in Texas use energy inefficiently," says Luke Metzger, director of Environment Texas, "as if the windows were left open with the AC running."

Report | Environment Texas Research and Policy Center

Building a Better America

We can save money and help solve global warming by reducing the amount of energy we use, including in the buildings where we live and work every day. More than 40 percent of our energy — and 10 percent of all the energy used in the world — goes toward powering America’s buildings. But today’s high-efficiency homes and buildings prove that we have the technology and skills to drastically improve the efficiency of our buildings while simultaneously improving their comfort and affordability.
If we apply those lessons to all buildings, we can reduce energy use in our homes and workplaces by a quarter, lowering global warming pollution from buildings 30 percent by 2030.

News Release | Environment Texas Research and Policy Center

Energy Efficient Buildings Would Reduce Global Warming Pollution, Save Texas Families Over $500 Annually

AUSTIN- Texas families could save $525 every year on their electricity bills by 2030 if the government invests in the energy efficiency of our buildings today, according to a new report by Environment Texas. Saving energy in our buildings would also help Texas’ fight against global warming, reducing global warming pollution from buildings by 30 percent—the equivalent of taking about 30.4 million cars off the road.

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New Codes Aim to Cut Energy Use

The international symbol for Texas’ energy-guzzling habit is a monster pickup truck — pulling another pickup truck. But homes and other buildings are also big offenders, accounting for roughly 40 percent of the state’s overall energy use.

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Houston home builders could face higher efficiency standards – UPDATED

Members of the city’s Development and Regulatory Affairs Committee are meeting today to review residential building codes ahead of a Jan. 1 deadline requiring Texas cities to comply with new energy standards.

News Release | Environment Texas Research & Policy Center

Houston City Council Votes to Increase Energy Efficiency Standards and Move towards New Model Codes

HOUSTON- Today the Houston City Council voted to adopt energy efficiency standards for residential buildings five percent stronger than the new state minimum and set a path for achieving 15 percent greater efficiency by 2014.

 

 

News Release | Environment Texas

Houston City Council Votes to Increase Energy Efficiency Standards and Move towards New Model Codes

HOUSTON- Today the Houston City Council voted to adopt energy efficiency standards for residential buildings five percent stronger than the new state minimum and set a path for achieving 15 percent greater efficiency by 2014.

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Houston can lead on energy efficiency

Local and state officials got a wake-up call last week that we need to do more to save energy. On Thursday, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) released a report warning of continued threats of rolling blackouts this summer due to rising demand for electricity and power plants going offline. Houstonians could suffer the consequences of a strained grid even sooner, if crazy weather strikes again.

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ERCOT warns of possible rolling blackouts this winter, next summer

Last winter’s rolling blackouts in Texas and the summer’s near-blackouts could occur again in the coming year if extreme weather stresses the power grid more than normal, the state’s grid operator said Thursday.

Report | Environment Texas Research & Policy Center

America's Emerging Clean Energy Capital

In recent years, Houston has emerged as a nationwide leader in expanding its production and use of clean energy. The City of Houston has adopted strong, energy-saving building codes, ramped up purchases of clean, renewable energy, and begun laying the groundwork for widespread adoption of electric cars – all steps that have jump-started the area’s transition toward a clean energy economy.

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