As of June 1, Texas House Bill 1937, introduced by Representative Mike Villarreal only awaits Governor Perry's signature to become law, September 1, 2009.Authorize municipal financing of property owners' investments in energy efficiency upgrades or renewable energy devices such as solar panels. The bill allows cities and individual property owners to enter into an agreement by which the city will provide the upfront costs for the energy improvements and the property owners will pay back the city through their property taxes. The legislation was modeled on similar successful programs in other cities around the country.The full text of the bill is below:
"As San Antonio and other cities develop plans to meet our long-term energy needs, we want to help them find alternatives to energy sources that threaten the environment and the air we breathe," stated Rep. Villarreal. "By helping property owners with their upfront costs, we can remove the main obstacle to making our homes and businesses more green."
The Director of the City of San Antonio 's Office of Environmental Policy, Laurence Doxsey, testified in favor of the bill in the House Urban Affairs Committee on April 24. He told the Committee that San Antonio would like to develop a municipal financing program to help meet the city's future energy needs. Other witnesses supporting the bill included representatives of the Environmental Defense Fund, Texas Society of Architects, CPS Energy, Public Citizen, and the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association.
Fleas:Earth Wise does comprehensive clean-up of restaurants and training of employees to keep the premises clean and vector free. But, if store management will not commit to following the proper methods, then he will limit his work to periodic clean-ups.
* The key to getting rid of fleas is to work with the Earth Wise treatments, i.e., trim your grass.
* Nematodes (microscopic, nonsegmented worms) destroy fleas, but you will need to keep the soil moist.
Termites & ants:
* In TX, a company has to use chemicals to treat/prevent termites.
* Earth Wise uses a foam containing the same chemical as in Frontline and injects it into pinholes in the walls. The foam will block entrance ways (plumbing) and the chemical will kill whatever is living in there. For new builds he will guarantee this treatment for 10 yrs (I think it was).
* Aspartame is an insecticide for ants. It is not recommended that you inhale it. (Yes, I Googled it. I am just reporting what was discussed at the meeting. )
* Mint apple jelly mixed with boric acid or vinegar was also suggested for ants.
Wasps are good unless they are aggressive. . They are insectivores. If you don’t go near them they will leave you alone.
Cedar oil for mosquitoes.
In general, whatever organic solution/program that Joseph and company develop for your situation, you and the rest of your household have to agree to do your part in maintaining the right environment to keep the pests away.
In Helen Nearing's Simple Food for the Good Life, she recalls her friend Dr. Herbert Shelton, who advocated in favor of eating raw food at his health school in San Antonio. She listed his six disadvantages of cooking and nine advantages of raw foods.
Big Grass Bamboo at 637 W. Hildebrand (between Blanco & San Pedro) is hosting Noche Verde, an evening of festivities benefiting Build San Antonio Green, Green Spaces Alliance, USGBC and Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance.
From EchoTown Launch Party by Mathew on Facebook.Please help me celebrate the Grand OPening of EchoTown.net.Saturday May 9, 2009 from 12 pm to 8 pm at 311 Howard Street, San Antonio at Farm - Permaculture and Art.
EchoTown.net helps our city "GetGreen!" with incentives, information and a "yes" attitude! I and many others have been working on the website and company for a few years now and finally it is a reality!
Come celebrate and help us make it a big hit. Activities include Music, Art, Live Painting, eco-friendly exhibits and fun. Food and refreshments(beer and wine) will be available and Donations will help us with our goal of helping San Antonio go GREEN!
Now you can have organic vegetables, meats and more delivered to your door by Greenling.com.
The large capacity AECT 5000 is self-contained. It can be and has been used all over the world, at times far from any other source of power. Over the years it has been purchased and used by large institutional builders such as American Indian tribes and governments in the republics of the former Soviet Union. John W. Wright's patent 4640671 and patent 4557681 which Mr Wright shared with Jack L. Elkins are used in its design. Its hopper is typically filled by a full size front end loader.
The AECT 3000 is designed for the medium size contractor. It is a different design from the AECT 5000, though it produces the same size blocks. It is manufactured under the patent of David Lienau 5629033 . It weighs just under 5000 pounds as compared to 9800 pounds for its big brother. It can be loaded by a bobcat or tractor.
The AECT Impact 2001 is the machine for the small contractor or home owner. It is loaded by shovel or bucket. Usually it is set to produce 5 1/2 x 12 x 4.5 inch blocks as opposed to the 10 x 14 x 3.5 inch blocks produced by the larger machines. It is small enough to be hauled by a compact car.
If you are working on or interested in environmental issues check out San Antonio Green Drinks, a forum for fun, contacts, info, gossip, inspiration, business and pleasure.
SASL member Joe Barfield points out that there is is quite a bit of energy news in today's San Antonio Express News. In the Business Section there's "CPS to get smarter" concerning CPS and smart metering. On the front page there's "Nuke Plan may cost $22 billion".
Sustainable Energy is a part of the 2009 COPS-The Metro Alliance Human Development Agenda. At their April 26 Accountability Session candidates for San Antonio mayor and city council were asked whether they supported the following:"CPS Energy proposes expanding the South Texas Nuclear Project to two more nuclear reactors as the next source of electricity for San Antonio. COPS/Metro leaders will insist on a public dialogue that considers what similar investments in solar, wind and other sustainable sources of energy would mean for our city. Investment in "green energy could bring jobs and economic development to San Antonio."After their agenda was presented each candidate was given the opportunity to state whether they would support 11 specific questions policies arising from the agenda.
The UTSA Green Society was founded just over two years ago and has thirty active members. It is open to all UTSA students.
San Antonians are lucky to have shrimp available, whose growth and harvesting is sustainable and which doesn't result in pollution.
