The Economic Impact of Reducing Your Carbon Footprint

A couple of weeks ago I attended the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Distinguished Speaker’s Luncheon.  I am updating this post with some new information I received since I originally posted this report.   

The theme of the meeting was “The Economic Impact of Reducing Your Carbon Footprint”.  A big shout-out to the GAHCC for sponsoring the meeting!  There are tons of very cool things I could write about the conversations I heard at this “green confab”, but I’ll try to be brief.  Forgive me if I have left anything out!   

Andy Martinez Pres and CEO of GAHCC Introduces Panel (L to R: Rabago, Taylor, Eppling, Aguilar)

 

The event opened with former Austin City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem, Brewster McCracken.  He described his childhood forays into sustainable development—when at age 14 he built a solar-powered water heater in his parent’s garage.  From that early inspiration, he has been focused on sustainability throughout his career in public service.  He started working with the Pecan Street Project as the City of Austin’s founding representative and is currently the Executive Director of the organization.    

Brewster McCracken

 

Pecan Street Project is a clean energy/smart grid research and development organization headquartered at the University of Texas. In collaboration with its various partners, Pecan Street is developing and implementing smart grid and clean energy technologies and business models.  It was launched by Austin Energy, the City of Austin, Environmental Defense Fund, the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, and the University of Texas’ Austin Technology Incubator — each of which is now represented on the board of directors.  Pecan Street funding includes the U.S. Department of Energy, through its $10.4 million demonstration grant.  Those Federal stimulus funds were granted for the demonstration project at the Mueller community to develop an advanced clean energy system called an “Energy Internet”.  The Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) is also supporting the organization’s regional economic development goals.  Numerous corporate sponsors include Applied Materials, Cisco, Dell, Freescale Semiconductor, General Electric Corporation, GridPoint, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Oracle, SEMETECH, and others.    

Vision of Pecan Street Smart House

 

Brewster talked about the metamorphosis of the first two of the “three great networked industries”—broadcast and telecom.  The dramatic and rapid changes those two industries have undergone is clearly evident—situated front and center in most of our daily lives.  The “third great networked industry” is the electricity industry.  This is the new frontier with a future of opportunity for energy efficiency—it’s the only one that is not digital yet.   As the Mueller demonstration project moves forward, we’ll see real life examples of how carbon footprint reduction has a strong economic impact—from creating new jobs to reducing energy and water bills.   

Kevin Johns

 

Next up, Kevin Johns Director of the City of Austin Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office, served as moderator for the discussion.  Austin’s Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office has a staff of approximately 45 and a budget of more than $16 million.  Kevin told us that the future of cleantech market analysis shows a projected growth of 20% per year.  Part of his job is to get as much of that growth as possible in Austin.  He also gave us a quick synopsis of his background.  He told a couple of really funny jokes too, but I was too busy taking pictures, and couldn’t write them down.  He’s quite an entertaining guy!  He then introduced each of the panelists.   

Karl Ràbago is Vice President for Distributed Energy Services with Austin Energy, and leads the utility’s “Green Team”.  What a heavy hitter!  His credentials read like a true “Renaissance Man”.  I’ll let you discover that for yourself when you read his bio.  He’s a lawyer, been a cavalry officer, Ranger—you name it.  He’s also Austin Energy’s executive sponsor for the Pecan Street Project.  Plus he definitely knows energy!  He told us that the production and use of electricity is the leading contributor of greenhouse gasses.  So far his efforts have helped bring in $35 million in stimulus funds.  Right now, Austin is a leader in clean energy.  Austin Energy’s GreenChoice® program leads the nation in showing that customers who want to manage costs and reduce emissions can make a difference in the way electricity is made—but our leadership position is evaporating.  Although we’ve led the nation eight years in a row, we can’t take our eye off the ball—or someone else will assume the lead.    

Steve Taylor  is Senior Manager of Internal Communications and North America Corporate Affairs for Applied Materials—the global leader in Nanomanufacturing Technology™ solutions.  They are also the largest maker of solar panel manufacturing machinery in the world.  They are probably most known for the chip manufacturing equipment—but he told us that we have to face the bad news that chip manufacturing is evaporating in the US—but the good news is that the solar panel is growing here.  That’s one reason why In addition to his communications duties at Applied Materials, Steve chairs the Texas political initiative for a national organization called The Solar Alliance, which is working to enact incentives for solar business development.   

Everyone in the audience was very eager to hear from Craig Eppling.  Craig is the Communications and Public Relations Manager for General Motors‘ South Central Region. He is responsible for media relations and PR strategy to improve opinion and consideration of General Motors, its policies and its products in an eight-state geographical area that includes Texas.  He told us that transportation generates 25% of our carbon issues.  Plus, get this—the City of Austin uses more gasoline per capita than any other city.  I guess that’s one of the reasons that Austin was selected as the Texas launch city (and with New York) will be first in the US to get the new Chevy Volt.  Plus of course, because Austin Energy already is engaged in a plug in electric vehicle (PEV) readiness initiative to help dealerships and their customers prepare for PEVs. The utility also is working with regional partners to develop a network of public charging stations.   Now we actually know the price of the car–MSRP of $41,000, we can decide if it will be worth the anticipation!  

Chevy Volt Will Launch in Austin

 

The panel was concluded with Hector Aguilar, Executive Dean of Continuing Education at Austin Community College (ACC).  Hector described the leading and important role ACC is playing in training people for some the estimated 6.3 million cleantech jobs that will be created.  ACC is one of the largest trainers for renewable energy installers, having trained more than 1,000 people so far.  He also described the great partnerships ACC has with the other panel members, such as Austin Energy and Applied Materials for One House at a Time and Meals on Wheels and More, plus GM has given some hybrids to the automotive department at ACC.    

Awesome stuff!  I’m now more upbeat than ever about the positive economic impact that going green has for our city, state, and nation.  In fact, that’s why I’m working so hard to develop my business of manufacturing traffic signs and markers made from e-waste plastic.  You can read more about the work I do to help eliminate e-waste from landfills here.  Great meeting!   

Image Microsystems Makes Signs and Markers from e-Waste Plastic

One Year Anniversary for the Texas Greenbelt Coalition–Can We Lead the Way in Cleantech?

If we don’t get this right and do it now–we won’t be the leader, we’ll be the follower. And that’s something I’m sure that no one wants.

Texas Greenbelt Coaltion Meeting Was Exciting!

I recently attended a Texas Greenbelt Coalition meeting for the first time. Wow, was I ever impressed! The meeting was held in the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce Honors Hall. I was amazed with the caliber of people in attendance. From the Coalition’s key instigator—Kimo Storke—to luminaries like Pike Powers and members of the Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council, the room was filled with some of the most vibrant talent in the area.

Texas Green Network and Green Legislation Update at Sustainable Waves

I just had to make it to the Texas Green Network monthly meeting yesterday at Sustainable Waves! As a musician myself, I was awestruck by the idea of solar powered sound stages and concert gear.  It would have been amazing in the old days if I could have powered my keyboard and band amps by the sun!  I’ll have to keep that in mind for my next gig.  I’ve posted several photos from the event.  I love their solar powered stage!

The Duncan+Finn Group at the Texas Green Network

My firm, The Duncan+Finn Group had a table at the meeting.  We met some awesome representatives of Austin’s green community.  Thanks to Reed Sternberg and the Texas Green Network for putting on an outstanding meeting!

Also located at Sustainable Waves is Hubbert’s Peak.  This nonprofit offers a demonstration laboratory that houses a venue for the alternative energy industry to demonstrate new technologies.  They also provide hands-on experience for students interested in training or re-training for a career in the emerging “green collar” industry.  I met some great people from Hubbert’s.

Sustainable Waves Solar Tree

Other than being awestruck by the concept of solar powered band gear, I was also quite interested in the keynote address by Luke Metzger (@lukemetzger), Director of Environment Texas. He listed some of the green successes that are happening in the current Texas Legislative Session.  If you are an environmentally minded Texan, be sure to follow Luke on Twitter (@lukemetzger).

Luke Metzger, Director of Environment Texas on The Solar Stage

Since Texas already leads the nation in total energy produced by the wind, Environment Texas is focused on solar initiatives this year.  About a dozen bills have been filed for this session.  One of the goals of the legislation is for Texas to produce at least 4,000 megawatts of electricity from solar by 2020.  The Texas Senate has already passed a bill that would create a $500 million solar rebate program.  The bill is expected to raise about $100 million annually over five years for solar and 30% of that money would be for residential solar installations with the remaining 70% for utility scale installations.  The rebates will cover 30% of production costs, adding to the 30% already offered by the Federal government.   A Senate committee also advanced a bill that would mandate roughly a 60% increase in the state’s renewable energy supply from sources other than wind.  Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the Texas Legislature does the right thing to promote clean energy.  I’ve heard some terrible rumors that lobbyists from the oil and coal sectors are trying to block some of the bills.  What’s up with that?  Aren’t we in this together to figure out a way to increase sustainable energy, add jobs, and still make money?

Solar Powered Band Gear

Since the legislators only meet every two years, and the session is almost over, people need to act quickly and communicate with their senators and representatives ASAP.  For community action groups and grass roots organizers  social media is absolutely essential to get the word out.  Using services like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other networks is the best way to quickly mobilize a rapid response team for important green issues.  But before you do that,  please get your strategy and an action plan together.  You know how I love to rant about this.  Don’t want to beat a dead horse on strategy, but it’s the key component that is always missing in most programs.  Plus social media requires a sizable time commitment, so be prepared!  But, the rewards will be well worth it.  If you plan properly and provide adequate manpower, social media can dramatically impact and accelerate your grassroots campaign!

Earth Day at the CleanTX Forum: Funding a Clean Energy Start-up

Great ideas from the CleanTX Forum. How to fund a cleantech startup.