Building energy efficiency in Austin

Under the leadership of Austin Mayor Will Wynn, the United States Conference of Mayors unanimously voted in June for a resolution endorsing a 30 percent increase in the energy efficiency of new residential buildings and a call to  dramatically improve the model energy building codes that guide local and state codes.

“Mayor Wynn deserves tremendous credit for leading the charge on this vital step toward reducing global warming pollution and setting America on a new path to a cleaner, smarter energy future,” said Luke Metzger, Environment Texas director.  

Because homes constructed today will last decades, adopting the “30% Solution” would save energy, reduce carbon dioxide pollution and save $88 billion in energy costs by 2030.

The 30% Solution is the equivalent of taking almost 4.5 million cars permanently off the road, or eliminating the energy use of more than 2.2 million households.

In September, local and state code officials from across the country will come together to finalize the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code—the national model that most state governments use as the basis for their building codes. 

“Mayors who send their officials to vote for the 30% Solution won’t just be saving their citizens money, they’ll be helping the entire country start on a path towards reducing our energy waste and global warming emissions,” said Metzger.