Texas Lawmakers Take "Green" Boot Approach to Sustainability

Let's face it. Non-Texans sometimes perceived our state as being behind on the times. Lately, Texas is being recognized for being forward-thinking when it comes to green practices and sustainability. Texas is not just growing a green thumb, we're passing laws that put a "green" boot in the backsides of corporations, developers and new construction builders to encourage them to adopt new practices.

Here's what I mean.

A friend who works for Pepsi-Co International mentioned that large corporations have implemented more strict green requirements from suppliers. In order to supply products or services to Pepsi-co, your company must regularly report measures in areas such as recycling, carbon footprintGreen-Fad-and-the-Economy Nov-07 and sustainable practices. Round Rock-based Dell Computers, Inc. has similar green guidelines for suppliers.

Green requirements are being adopted by Texas State Agencies in the areas of green building, sustainable development of subdivisions, affordable housing, and commercial construction.

COOL GREEN INITIATIVES IN TEXAS

• According to Affordable Housing Finance Magazine, Adopting green design features will be critical to winning low-income housing tax credits (LIHTCs) in many states in 2008. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has added green building features to its threshold requirement points.
• The City of Mckinney near Dallas is voting on a green initiative that involves more strict environmental practices, conservation measures. The City of McKinney says they're the fastest growing city in the United States.
• Austin was recognized as having one of the best green building programs in the nation and will host the much anticipated Congress on New Urbanism April 2008. Wells Fargo even opened a green branch in Austin at the Hill Country Galleria less than a month ago.
• Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Dallas chapters of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) will most likely take part in the Certified Green Professional program to be launched February 14, 2008.