SECO News

SECO Works with India on Alternative Energy Source

The Texas State Energy Office (SECO) is collaborating with India on methods to utilize methane gas from Indian landfills for fuel, heating and electricity. SECO is participating in a study that will examine the feasibility of using landfill methane gas for fuel or as an alternative energy source. The Center for Air Quality Studies at the Texas Transportation Institute (at Texas A&M University) is leading the study in Mumbai India.

Energy Conservation Grant for TAMIU, November 2008

The State Energy Conservation Office of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has granted $87,000 to the Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) for phase two of a community energy conservation program. The funds will go to the Utility Resource Education Network, which is collaborative effort among TAMIU, the Texas A&M College of Architecture's Center for Housing and Urban Development, the Colonias Program and local energy providers.

With energy ratings system, Texans could reap significant savings

Spend less energy finding the information you need. The new State Energy Conservation Office Web site is designed with you in mind. Energy information now is organized by customer group – consumers, businesses, schools and local governments – with added tools, search features and faster navigation. Have a suggestion to help us keep improving this site? Let us know.

NEW: Home Energy Efficiency Report

Buying a home can be a stressful process. The information overload can be overwhelming. But do you have the right information at the right time to make the right decision? Few homebuyers consider, or have access to, the home’s energy efficiency rating or its impact on lifetime operating costs and resale value. Learn how you can make better energy decisions when evaluating homes for purchase and when making efficiency upgrades. Read the Home Energy Efficiency Report (2.5 MB).

All-Electric Vehicle Incentives for Austin Energy Electric Customers

This is a Central Texas Clean Cities and Austin Energy website. Applicants may receive the following incentives: $500 for all-electric cars, $250 for all-electric scooters, $150 for all-electric motorcycles and select scooters, and $100 for all-electric bicycles. Funding is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Current incentive valid for the life of program (April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2010) or until program funds are expended, whichever occurs first. Incentive application must be submitted within sixty (60) days of vehicle purchase.

NABD Provides Funding for Texas Biodiesel Project

July 2008

This is a Biodiesel Magazine article. Global Alternative Fuels LLC recently announced a $20 million loan agreement with North American Development Bank (NABD) to fund a biodiesel plant in El Paso, Texas. The biodiesel produced from the facility will be sold to Western Refining in El Paso, Texas, which will be blended with petroleum diesel for sale in the region.

Emissions-Free Waste Management Coming to Killeen

June 2008

The City of Kileen has donated 40 acres of land to ZEROS (Zero-emissions Energy Recycling Oxidation System) to build a zero waste emissions-free power plant near the Williamson County landfill. The plant was designed at Texas A&M University. ZEROS will use leading edge technology to convert solid waste from the land fill into electricity and other useable byproducts. The plant will use an oxygenated system to convert as much as 300,000 tons of garbage annually into electricity with zero emissions. Killeen was chosen because it met the criteria to provide the waste as fuel. In return, the company has agreed to sell back to the city at a reduced rate byproducts such as diesel fuel, gasoline and clean water which can be used to irrigate dry areas and be recycled into municipal water systems. The estimated cost of $250 million to $300 million will be provided by private investors. The plant is expected to create 200 jobs in Killeen while reducing the city's landfill waste treatment costs from $20 to $24 per ton to $10 per ton. The processing plant won’t begin to be fired for at least another three years.

Austin Moves Toward Greener Fleet

June 2008

The City of Austin is trying to make its fleet of more than 4,400 vehicles carbon neutral by 2020.

Refrigerator Recycling Hits 10,000

May 2008

The Austin Energy refrigeration recycling program, the only program, of its type in Texas and one of less than a dozen nationwide, will recycle it's 10,000th unit this month. The program pays Austin Energy residential customers $50 each for up to two old working refrigerators or freezers. Refrigerators/freezers 15 years old or older can use up to 70% more power than new energy-efficient models, and even more if located in a hot garage during summer. Appliances picked up are 98% recycled, along with the proper disposal of refrigerants. To arrange for a pickup, simply call 1-800-452-8685.

EPA Recognizes Austin Energy

May 2008

For the second year in a row, Austin Energy is the recipient of an ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award, presented annually by the EPA. The award recognizes Austin Energy's continued leadership in energy efficiency through the Home Performance With ENERGY STAR and Power Partner programs. Last year, 1,900 Austin home owners participated in Home Performance With ENERGY STAR and as a result, now save almost $300,000 in annual energy costs. These participants, coupled with the more than 10,000 Austinites participating in Power Partner last year, will collectively reduce peak electric demand by more than 6 megawatts (MW). Reducing peak demand helps delay the need for additional power plants, which helps keep electric rates lower for all of us.

Texas Energy Profile

This Energy Information Administration web site gives current energy data for the state of Texas.

Texas Comptroller Releases Report on Energy Resources

May 2008

The Energy Report is a comprehensive evaluation of the various energy resources available in Texas. It is a reference tool for anyone seeking for understanding the current Texas energy environment.

Abilene's Energy Savings to Finance Building Upgrades

May 2008

The City of Abilene has approved $9 million in lighting, air conditioning and other improvements to city buildings, enough to save $12.3 million in energy costs over the next 15 years. The improvements will be made over the next 18 months and paid off over 15 years using the resulting cost savings. The improvements will be made over the next 18 months and paid off over 15 years using the resulting cost savings.

“Green” Is New Building Standard In Dallas (52 KB)

April 2008

The Dallas City Council has unanimously adopted a green construction ordinance which aims to reduce energy and water consumption in all new houses and commercial buildings constructed in the city. With this ordinance, Dallas becomes one of the first major U.S. cities to pass comprehensive building standards for both residential and commercial construction.

Texas Continues to Lead Nation in Wind Power

April 2008

The American Wind Energy Association's annual ranking of wind power leadership, released last week, continues to show Texas leading the states in terms of both total installed wind power capacity and the amount of new wind power capacity that was installed last year. In fact, the Sweetwater, Texas, wind plant more than doubled in capacity to 585 megawatts, pushing it from fifth to second place in the size rankings, while the state's Buffalo Gap wind facility expanded to 353 megawatts, placing it in fifth place for size. The recently completed 364-megawatt Capricorn Ridge wind facility, also in Texas, landed in fourth place, while last year's 401-megawatt Peetz Table Wind Energy Center in Colorado is the only non-Texas wind plant in the top five.

Gov. Perry Announces Investment in Solar Power Company

April 2008

Governor Perry has announced that the state will invest $1 million in HelioVolt Corp. of Austin for the construction of a manufacturing facility to test and produce thin-film solar power cells, which convert sunlight into electricity. The deal will create nearly 160 jobs and $62 million in capital investment.

ORCA Grants $500,000 for Desalination Project

April 2008

A pilot project utilizing wind power to desalinate brackish groundwater in Seminole in West Texas will get a jump-start thanks to a $500,000 grant from the Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA).

DOE Designates San Antonio as a Solar America City

March 2008

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced its selection of 12 cities including San Antonio, Texas, as Solar America Cities. Each city will receive $200,000 (a total of $2.4 million) to integrate a variety of solar technologies, such as solar water heating, solar photovoltaic electric systems, and large-scale solar thermal electric systems, which are also known as concentrating solar power. Combined with industry cost sharing and funding from each city, the total amount invested will be approximately $12.1 million. In addition to the funding, DOE will also provide hands-on assistance from technical experts to help cities integrate solar technologies into their energy planning, zoning, and facilities; streamline local regulations and practices that affect solar adoption; provide solar financing options; and promote solar technology among residents and local businesses through outreach, curriculum development, and incentive programs.