| Year after year, the community is placing a lot of | | | | for many years to come. Here are just some of |
| focus on Austin Texas as one of the greenest | | | | the things that have helped them stay green for |
| metropolitan areas in the country! It's settled | | | | so long and gain recognition from everyone: |
| along the Colorado River, this metropolitan region | | | | Austin's Green Energy Building calendar keeps the |
| is not exclusively one of the quickest growing | | | | entire city updated on future events and green |
| cities in the nation, but its soaring oak trees and | | | | workshops. They hold these events four times a |
| crystal clear streams are snuggled within this | | | | year. |
| buzzing metropolitan region. It's the ultimate | | | | Austin Energy, which provides the city with |
| marriage between nature and a hip urban setting, | | | | electricity provide their customers with the option |
| no wonder the city of Austin has taken first place | | | | of becoming a Power Partner. If you decide to |
| and gaining so many awards. Here is just some of | | | | participate, not only do you save $25 off of your |
| the recognition that Austin has gained during this | | | | bill, but you will also receive a free programmable |
| year alone: | | | | thermostat from them. Furthermore, if you |
| In April, Austin is considered among the top 10 | | | | decide to join, then they will turn off your HVAC |
| greenest places to retire by US News and World | | | | for a couple of minutes every day, when there is |
| Report. With its many urban parks and its | | | | the most demand for energy. |
| preserved wilderness sites, Austin is considered | | | | Austin has a plan to reduce waste down to zero |
| the perfect place to help rear your grandchildren. | | | | by the year 2040. The city already recycles a |
| The US Department of Energy calls Austin's | | | | significant amount of trash, which in 2007 the |
| Green Power Program to be number one in the | | | | citizens of Austin has recycled over 32,000 tons |
| nation. This is ranked by renewable energy sales | | | | of waste to different recycling centers or around |
| where Austin Energy outdid Portland General | | | | 25% of the city's total waste which could be |
| Electric in sales that topped 578 million kWh in | | | | sitting in a landfill for several years. At least 30% |
| 2007. | | | | of Austin's residents and businesses are making |
| University of Cincinnati researchers ranked Austin | | | | the shift to renewable energy sources in the next |
| at number 2 in clean drinking water in 2006. After | | | | 12 years. |
| researching data, consumer confident reports | | | | Austin has a program where you can get up to |
| showed that Austin has the lowest levels of lead, | | | | three high efficiency toilets to put in your home |
| turbidity, and halo acetic acid. | | | | for free. You may need a plumber to install them, |
| This leads Austin as one of the nation's greenest | | | | but if you don't like the look of them, you can |
| cities thanks to their Sustainable Community | | | | receive a $150 rebate to put towards a new |
| Initiative. They are here to help the city and its | | | | toilet. |
| suburbs achieve the best quality of life throughout | | | | |