Energy Efficiency Potential:
San Antonio's Bright Energy Future
Media Release:
August 11, 2008
For Immediate Release
Contacts: Dr. Arjun Makhijani 301-509-6843
Loretta Van Coppenolle 210-492-4620
San Antonio, TX Energy efficiency is a viable, affordable and effective way to meet the future energy needs of San Antonio according to a new study by Dr. Arjun Makhijani, energy expert and president of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, based in Takoma Park, Maryland.
"There is good news for San Antonio. The city has great potential for energy efficiency. The overall affordable economic potential for San Antonio is about 2,000 MW if all buildings could be retrofitted or built for efficiency. With vigorous and visionary leadership, about half of this potential can be achieved by 2020. Making homes and businesses more efficient will save consumers money and make San Antonio a cleaner and better place to do business." said Dr. Arjun Makhijani, energy expert and president of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, based in Takoma Park, Maryland.
"Energy efficiency is the fastest way to meet increasing energy needs, and will help create jobs in San Antonio. Improvements in insulation, air conditioning, lighting and window shading can make homes and office buildings cooler and more comfortable, while putting people to work and saving money," said Makhijani.
Dr. Makhijani was joined by Local Green Building Council leaders, including architects with Lake Flato Architects. The speakers noted projects in San Antonio that are already using green building techniques.
Dr. Makhijani's study was commissioned by the Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) Coalition, with help from the Alamo Group of the Sierra Club and the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club.
The Consumers Energy Coalition invited San Antonio business leaders to a luncheon at noon at the Witte Museum to hear Dr. Makhijani talk and to discuss how energy efficiency can be good for business in San Antonio.
San Antonio Press Conference August 11, 2008
