Early El Niño Conditions May Spell Big Weather Impact This Year
If an El Niño pattern does develop this year, it could lead to wetter conditions in western North America and South America, which could help end a severe drought now plaguing the U.S. West.
http://cleantechies.com/2014/05/15/early-el-nino-conditions-may-spell-big-weather-impact-this-year/

Even for those of us that have been urging U.S. action on climate, the assessment was pretty stark and the message was clear: the time to act came a long time ago. We need to get busy catching up.
Read more:
http://cleantechies.com/2014/05/14/us-climate-assessment-report-warns-of-energy-challenges-all-of-which-were-ready-to-meet/

Racing solar cars has been an annual activity at The Roundup for many years. #TheRoundup2014

Solar-powered cars energize Northside students:
The 18-year-old competition brought out fourth and fifth-grade students to race miniature, solar-powered cars across 20-meter lanes of rubberized track. The contest was the brainchild of school board President Bobby Blount, who's seen the event grow from a one-school race with five teams to more than 250 teams this year from Colonies North, Locke Hill and 61 other NISD campuses.

Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/communities/stone-oak/article/Solar-powered-cars-energize-Northside-students-5474566.php

Now, more than ever, we need to be smarter about the way electricity is made, moved and used, and EDF is working to bring forth a new, dynamic approach to American energy- one that wastes less and generates more clean, on-site, local energy that puts customers in the driver’s seat.

ERCOT: Rolling Blackout Threat Averted In Cold Snap #TREIA
“Cold weather will continue through tomorrow morning, and we will continue to monitor conditions closely,” Dan Woodfin, director of system operations at ERCOT, said in a news release. “Consumers are encouraged to use electricity wisely, and a conservation alert remains in effect throughout the ERCOT region.” …. [earlier this morning] a brief threat of rolling blackouts [was] averted. 
http://www.texastribune.org/2014/01/06/ercot-rolling-blackout-threat-averted-cold-snap/

OCI is building Texas Solar Park. Alamo 4 will feature polycrystalline PV modules mounted on a dual-axis tracking system, and is being constructed on two contiguous parcels of land totaling 633 acres.

Yes and wildfire season is an all year threat in these regions. Time to take action. Time to build smart. Time for sustainability in business, in economics, in schools and in homes … 
Read more: http://cleantechies.com/2014/05/14/half-of-u-s-experiencing-some-degree-of-drought-analysis-finds/

New Book Examines Keystone XL as a Historic Decision

In it, the author argues that Keystone XL is a relic of Bush-era energy policy and that the energy landscape has changed sufficiently in the intervening years to warrant reconsideration.

Read more: http://cleantechies.com/2014/05/13/new-book-examines-keystone-xl-as-a-historic-decision/

The Rebirth of the Light Switch ... A light switch to a smart house.
http://cleantechies.com/2014/05/13/the-rebirth-of-the-light-switch/

Congratulations to First Solar and The Butler Firm for bringing this first of its kind project to fruition. 

Natural gas usage has reached an all-time high as the US fought to meet heat demands, but in Texas it is renewable energy that has taken the credit for preventing a power emergency.  [For the second time in the last couple of years!]