Solar power dominated the Earth Day coverage. There was a review of the Virginia Point house designed by Adams Architects, which feeds into the grid during the day; a complaint from Houston-based Standard Renewable Energy that CenterPoint does not support the sale of energy from homes like Virginia Point very well; an update on a bill that would provide 500 million dollars of rebates for solar panel use that passed the Texas Senate; and a city task force that called for local rebates for solar panel installation. If the solar buzz is making you feel you're not in Houston anymore, read the story about an energy plant to be built on South Main that will burn refined grease and lard.
Friday April 24
Editorial: Training Texas With stimulus, Obama support, timing is right to start on high-speed rail across Texas. [Houston Chronicle]
"The notion that high-speed rail is a high-tech toy suited only for densely populated areas such as the Northeast corridor is as out of date as a conductor's ticket punch. Population in the Texas Triangle area is expected to reach 35 million by the year 2050. Our interstate highways are getting more clogged by the day, but right of way for rail lines is still available at affordable prices. It is not a moment too soon to begin putting efficient rail service in Texas." Here's the reported story.
Shell Oil to reduce Deer Park emissions: Environmental groups file a rare citizens' suit after agency efforts fail. SHELL: Has 3 years to cut back on ‘upsets' [Houston Chronicle] "Shell also agreed to pay nearly $6 million for past violations of the Clean Air Act - an amount believed to be the largest penalty in Texas history to come from a citizens' suit seeking enforcement of the federal law."
City permits going green in rice warehouse [Houston Business Journal] "An 86-year-old former rice warehouse in downtown Houston will be converted into a fully 'green' building occupied by city permitting offices now scattered at four sites. Houston City Council in late March approved an amount up to $5.7 million to purchase the property at 1002 Washington Ave. from the estate of Leslie Appelt." Swamplot adds that Studio Red Architects are the design firm and Trammel Crow the developer.
Thursday April 23
OBITUARY Vernon Henry, urban planner and civic leader [Houston Chronicle] "Henry worked on a number of area subdivisions and shopping centers, including parts of Kingwood and the Woodlands and the Town and Country Shopping Center. His firm also developed the master plan for the redevelopment of Midtown. But those who knew him say his true legacy isn't the buildings and streets he helped design, but the environments he worked to create. He was involved in civic organizations including Trees for Houston, the Park People, the Houston Parks Green Ribbon Committee and the Houston Zoo."
OLIVEWOOD CEMETERY Cemetery's celebrated past can help secure its preservation: Black cemetery is one of area's oldest [Houston Chronicle]
Retail space's growth to slow Expert gives lowest projection in a decade. RETAIL: Market stability helps area [Houston Chronicle] "Retail construction in the Houston area will decline by 53 percent this year compared with 2008, Ed Wulfe said Wednesday at the annual Retail Forecast Luncheon sponsored by O'Connor & Associates."
Sugar Land residents oppose proposed low-income housing: Developer has applied for state tax credits to build 150 units [Houston Chronicle]
Shop Girl: Lawndale market home to great finds [Houston Chronicle] "Vendors from across the U.S. fill the nooks and crannies of Lawndale with items reflective of modern design. When the first Modern Market launched in 1995, there were just five vendors. Now there are 14, with a waiting list for next year's event."
Alief Cemetery is designated as historic site [Houston Chronicle] "Dr. John Magee, a dentist, and his wife, the former Alief Ozelda Morris, settled in the area in 1896. Alief Magee became the community's first postmistress, operating a post office out of her home, and the postal area became known as Alief. She died in 1899, and her remains were moved to Alief Cemetery in 1935."
Wednesday April 22
Hotel could get a tax deal: City hopes its location at Discovery Green lures conventions [Houston Chronicle] "Houston is poised to provide a $9.6 million tax subsidy for an Embassy Suites downtown, part of a raft of public-private hotel development that has sprung up since the completion of Discovery Green."
No glow yet from going green: Will meters spin backward? [Houston Chronicle] "At a time when green energy initiatives are gaining popularity nationwide, John Berger ought to be basking in the glow of increased solar panel sales. But his Houston-based Standard Renewable Energy is seeing limited installations locally because, he claims, Houston's grid operator, CenterPoint Energy, is dragging its feet on solar initiatives. The federal government recently renewed a tax credit for installing solar panels, but for most Houstonians the real benefit - saving on electric bills - remains elusive."
Senate going solar: Bill passes that could jump-start this kind of energy. Homes could generate electricity [Houston Chronicle] "The Public Utility Commission would determine the amount of the rebates, with $30 million a year going to homeowners and up to $70 million for utility-scale solar projects."
Galveston mayor visits Cuba to talk hurricanes. Thomas hopes to build on a bond that dates to 1900 CUBA: Visit in works before recent thaw [Houston Chronicle]
Tuesday April 21
EDITORIAL Clear win on air: EPA agrees with Mayor White on improving methods for measuring air pollution. [Houston Chronicle]
Investment in grid could bring quicker power return: Task force wants new technology it says can cut wait time after storms GRID: Group wants action now [Houston Chronicle]
Monday April 20
EDITORIAL One cool idea: How to create jobs, save the planet and beat the heat [Houston Chronicle] "Since 2006, the City of Houston's Residential Energy Efficiency Program has swept through 12 low-income neighborhoods. With homeowners' permission, the contractor teams weather-strip doors, caulk windows, insulate attics and make other improvements that cut the houses' average energy consumption by 12-18 percent - and even more in summer, when our electric grid strains to meet air-conditioning demand."
Sinkhole opens near park in Kingwood: Visitors forced to leave vehicles and walk out [Houston Chronicle]
Sunday April 19
LISA GRAY: Native plants work hard [Houston Chronicle] "As of the [Hermann Park's new Lake] plaza's official debut yesterday, that sweet spot in the park - the area between the Houston Zoo parking lots, the zoo and the lake - is suddenly one of the city's best places to hang out. It's a great place to do nothing." Here is the news report on the opening of the bridge, plaza, train, and new landscaping.
‘Environmental evangelists:' High-powered couple turn to green power for their home [Houston Chronicle]
"They could have done anything," said Joe and Gail Adams, the husband and wife team that is Adams Architects, "but they chose to build green."
The high-powered Hedges - Adele is a judge and Dan a lawyer - started by making lists of what they wanted in their new home. They wanted storage space. They wanted energy independence and low operations and maintenance costs. They wanted self-sustaining landscaping.
An old power plant site is getting new life from a plan to create electricity by burning waste vegetable oil and, eventually, animal byproducts [Houston Chronicle]
Architects are looking toward a green future [Houston Chronicle] Check out OffCite's earlier post about this vision for Houston's downtown in 2030.
