The Requirements
Energy-Efficiency Measures
Sources of Assistance
Other Energy Reduction Programs
Things You Can do to Save Energy
Determine Your Home Energy Use
 Check Home Insulation and Weatherization
 Heating and Cooling Tips
 Making Your Water Heater Most Efficient
 Energy Tips for Windows
 How to Best Landscape Your Home
 Learn How to Use Lighting Wisely
 Make Your Appliances Really Work For You


The Requirements

Political subdivisions, other than school districts, in 38 Texas counties (including Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, and Wilson) must:
Implement all cost-effective energy-efficiency measures to reduce electric consumption by existing facilities (any facility including street and stadium lighting using electricity as of September 1, 2001);
Adopt a goal to reduce electric consumption by 5% a year for 5 years (a total reduction of 25%), beginning January 1, 2002;
Report progress to the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) on an annual basis;
To see which counties in Texas are affected, click here.

Energy-Efficiency Measures2

Energy-efficiency Measures are any facility modifications or changes in operations that reduce energy consumption. Such measures include:
Installation of insulation and high-efficiency windows and doors;

 Click image to view article. http://www.cgc.enbridge.com/A/A12-05_windows.html
Modifications or replacement of HVAC systems, lighting fixtures and electrical systems;
Installation of automatic energy control systems;
Installation of energy recovery systems or renewable energy generation equipment;
Building comissioning
Development of energy efficient procurement specifications
Employee awareness campaigns
Sources of Assistance

Visit these sites for SB 5 assistance information and more general information:
State: State Energy Conservation Office
State: Texas Energy Partnership
Local: Metropolitan Partnership for Energy
Other Energy Reduction Programs

Watt Watchers
School

Click image to visit the Watt Watchers websiteWatt Watchers is a free energy efficiency program for Texas schools. To run the program, students (K-12) patrol their halls turning off lights to save energy; students will leave tickets in classrooms where the lights were left on while unoccupied. Watt Watchers will help schools save $50 per classroom per year.

If you would like more information about Watt Watchers of Texas programs:
Visit their website at http://wattwatchers.utep.edu/;
Call Watt Watchers at 1-888-USWATTS; or
Email them at watts@utep.edu
EnergySmart Schools Initiative
Click image to visit the EnergySmart Schools website.
U.S. Department of Energy
EnergySmart Schools effort
School

EnergySmart works with school districts to introduce energy-saving improvements to the school's environment and promotes and supports energy education in schools.

If you would like more information about the EnergySmart Schools program:
Visit their website at http://www.eere.energy.gov/energysmartschools/;
Call the Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse at 1-800-DOE-3732 (363-3732); or
Email them at doe.erec@nciinc.com
ENERGY STAR®
Businesses, Homeowners, and Government

Click image to visit the Watt Watchers website"ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency."3

Using ENERGY STAR's help, Americans last year saved enough energy to "power 10 million homes and avoid greenhouse gas emissions from 12 million cars - all while saving $6 billion."4

If you would like more information about the ENERGY STAR program:
Visit their website;
Call their toll free hotline at 888-STAR-YES; or
Email them using their online form.

REFERENCES
1. "Green Buildings Introduction," Smart Communities Network. http://www.sustainable.doe.gov/buildings/gbintro.shtml
2. "How to comply with Texas Senate Bill 5," State Energy Conservation Office. (Brochure)
3. "What is ENERGY STAR?," ENERGY STAR®. http://208.254.22.7/index.cfm?c=about.ab_index
4. Ibid.