AUSTIN, TX, RAISES EFFICIENCY BAR

Not surprisingly, Austin Energy – the US’s greenest utility – had a significant hand in the development of this admirable program.

Austin Energy is also leading Plug-In Partners, the national grass-roots movement to enlist support from cities, states, utilities and organizations for the development of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles by obtaining pledges for fleet purchases, endorsements, rebate and incentive programs and citizen petition drives.

Mayor Wynn, his Council and his Task Force also deserve plaudits for setting standards the rest of the US would do itself proud to meet.

Austin leads way in energy efficiency; By 2015, code changes will reduce energy use by 65 percent in new homes
Kate Alexander, October 17, 2007 (Austin American-Statesman)

WHO
Austin, Texas, City Council (Mayor Will Wynn)

Austin, Texas: A little city big in New Energy.

WHAT
Austin’s leaders adopted efficiency standards for new homes as strict as any in the US.

WHEN
- The Council approved 4 rounds of building code changes by 2015, the 1st effective January 1, 2008.
- 1st round of improvements cost $1200 and return cost in 5 years.
- All improvement costs returned in 10 years.

Austin Energy Green Building Program 5 Star Rating residence

WHERE
Austin is Texas’ capital city. It is at the edge of the state’s southwest “hill country.”

WHY
- New homes will be required to use 65% less electricity and gas by 2015. Required changes: (1) Install radiant barrier systems to keep heat out. (2) Test for duct system leakage. (3) Conduct new tests for heating and air conditioning systems. (4) Size air conditioning systems appropriately for the structure. (5) Install high-efficiency lighting.
- An architect-led task force consisting of home builders, energy efficiency experts, construction trade representatives and others developed the plan.
- Austin’s Climate Protection Plan makes sets standards for non-residential buildings.
- Plan objective: make homes "zero-energy capable": energy efficient enough (improved lighting, windows and appliances) to be fueled by onsite renewable electricity sources such as solar or wind.
- 4 rounds of building code changes applied to residences under 3 stories (6400 houses/year) thru 2015. 1st: heating and air conditioning, 40% of residence energy.
- Mayor Wynn also proposes to require efficiency upgrades for sale of existing homes.

Austin Energy Green Building Program 5 Star Rating residence

QUOTES
- Aleisha Khan, executive director, Building Codes Assistance Project/Alliance to Save Energy: "I haven't seen any other city ... with such a long-term vision as this. It's aggressive, but it looks very doable…"
- Austin Mayor Will Wynn: "Austin has a generation-long track record and ethos ... of environmental protection…We have this fabulous reputation to maintain and not just rest upon."
- Peter L. Pfeiffer, the Austin architect who led plan development: "The rest of the country is snapping to the fact that we have to do something about how we build our homes and buildings…"
- Task force: "The energy savings achieved through later code cycles can be expected to be both more costly and intrusive into people's lives…"
- Harry Savio, vp, Home Builders Association of Greater Austin: "The final product is something that balances both sides…It is a good sign of what can be done when you sit down and work together toward a common solution."