Environment Texas Helps Texans Plug into Clean Energy for Earth Day

Environment Texas

AUSTIN—On the eve of Earth Day, Environment Texas released a new guide to help Texans improve the energy performance of their homes and workplaces. The renewable energy and energy-saving measures proposed by Environment Texas’s Plug into Clean Energy Guide promise to lower energy bills and reduce pollution from power plants across the state.

 
“Texans are concerned about the environmental impacts of our nation’s energy use and are looking for ways to make a difference,” said Luke Metzger, Director at Environment Texas. “This guide will provide Texans with ways to improve the energy performance of their homes by adopting energy saving measures and tapping into clean, renewable energy sources like the sun and wind.”

 
America’s buildings consume more than 40 percent of our total energy, which amounts to almost 10 percent of all the energy used in the world. Much of this energy is wasted due to inadequate insulation, inefficient heating and cooling systems, and poor construction techniques. But off-the-shelf technologies can reduce that energy waste dramatically, lowering energy bills by as much as two-thirds.

 
“That’s the best part about making energy efficiency improvements,” said Luke Metzger “They pay for themselves as consumers enjoy lower energy bills and a cleaner environment year after year. This guide is designed to help families cut through the clutter of information and pick the improvements that are right for them.”

 
Environment Texas is also launching a public education campaign this summer to provide Texas residents information about opportunities to shift to clean energy. Environment Texas Plug into Clean Energy resource center will help citizens with a simple, step-by-step approach to improve energy use in buildings, from lowering the thermostat in the winter all the way to installing rooftop solar panels. We also provide information on the most energy-efficient household appliance choices and links to Texas programs that can help residents invest in energy conservation and clean energy systems.

 
“From tax credits and rebates to free energy use assessments, there are myriad resources available to help home and business owners tackle the upfront cost of these improvements,” said Luke Metzger. “These are great programs; we want to make sure everyone knows about them.”

 
Environment Texas highlighted some of the incentives available around the state:
•    Rebates are available for CFL light bulbs through the cities of Bryan, College Station and Denton;
•    Free programmable thermostats are available in Austin and San Antonio;
•    Rebates for insulation and efficient windows, lighting and air conditioning are available in Houston, Garland and El Paso

 
“We face big energy and environmental challenges because of the risky and dirty sources of our energy,” said Luke Metzger. “Texas leaders and national officials must take action to shift America to clean energy. But, we can also get started right here at home, saving energy, saving money and reducing global warming pollution by improving our buildings.”