Originally published December 1 2005
City of Austin receives accolades for leading the nation in green energy
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The 10th National Green Power Marketing Conference met in Austin, Texas, and the EPA was quick to praise the city and the many green energy advocates who live there for pioneering energy alternatives in a state made famous for its gas- and oil-based economy.
Only now, an increasingly renewable-powered city is good-looking -- not simply for environmental or domestic security reasons, but because green energy like wind power is less costly and much more fiscally stable than traditional fossil fuel sources like natural gas.
The EPA was in town this week along with the Department of Energy for the 10th National Green Power Marketing Conference, where they gave props to national renewable energy leaders, several of which call Austin home.
One reason is that the cost of renewable energy for utilities has been falling by 8% a year on average, and wind-generated power has become far more competitive against natural gas, especially in Texas and Colorado, where it's now cheaper than gas.
Whole Foods Market, ranking eighth on the EPA's list of Top 25 EPA Green Power Partners, was also applauded for purchasing or generating more than 20% of its total national power load from green power sources.
In California, Colorado, and New Mexico, Whole Foods Markets are 100% green-powered, and five stores in California and New Jersey have solar panels.
In the public sector, not only is AISD the only public school district in the nation to be featured on the EPA's Top 25 list (its second time), but it's the 14th largest overall purchaser of renewable energy in the nation.
"AISD believes in being good stewards of our resources.
It is also important for our students that we set an example of respect and responsibility for the environment," said Superintendent Pat Forgione.
Also this week, Austin Energy received a 2005 Wind Power Pioneer Award from the DOE at the American Public Power Association's 2005 Customer Connections Conference in Kansas City.
Solar Austin and the Union of Concerned Scientists issued the Energy Freedom Challenge: America's Race to Independence Through Renewable Energy, as part of the DOE's Million Solar Roof program.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml