Sections -
International Institute for Sustainable Development
Buying Green Power (Texas): A list of green energy companies in Texas. Predominantly wind energy, which is far more developed in Texas than solar.
Federal Solar Tax Credits: Solar and fuel cell tax credits are available through 12/31/08. The credit is 30% with a cap of $2,000 for solar-electric systems, a separate cap of $2,000 for solar water-heating systems, and $500 per 0.5 kW for fuel cells. If the federal tax credit exceeds tax liability, the excess amount may be carried forward to the succeeding taxable year.1
–Also contains information on Energy Efficiency Tax Credits under 26 USC ยง 25C, which expired on 12/31/07 and are not available for products purchased after this date. Owners of eligible products purchased during 2007 can apply for the credits by filling out: IRS Form 5695.1 (up to $2,000 for contractors, or a 10% credit up to $500 for homeowners, for qualified energy efficiency improvements “including insulation, reflective metal roofs, insulated exterior doors, and energy efficient exterior windows and skylights”). More info at the Alliance to Save Energy–
Property tax exemption in Texas for the amount of the appraised property value that arises from the installation or construction of a solar or wind-powered energy device that is primarily for the production and distribution of thermal, mechanical, or electrical energy for on-site use, or devices used to store that energy. Includes passive solar space heat, solar water heat, solar space heat, solar thermal electric, solar thermal process heat, photovoltaics, wind, biomass, storage technologies, solar pool heating, anaerobic digestion.
Net-metering (from IREC3): On February 7, 2008, the Texas Public Utilities Commission issued a proposed rule which defines net metering. The final rulemaking on this issue is not expected until October 2008. IREC has a table documenting types of net-metering offered on a state-by-state basis. Texas currently has a 50 kW limit on systems, where the net excess generation is purchased by utilities monthly at avoided-cost rate (utilities involved are integrated IOUs that have not unbundled). Eligible technologies are solar, wind, biomass, hydro, geothermal, fuel cells, tidal energy, wave energy, and microturbines.
Rays of Hope (Austin area only): New program that installs photovoltaic systems on houses being built or retrofitted for low- to moderate-income homeowners.
General Reference
1Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE)
Comprehensive database of incentives, separated into federal, state-based, and homeowner incentives.
2State Energy Conservation Office – Renewable Energy in Texas
Contains funding opportunities, projects, research and more.
3Interstate Renewable Energy Council
Non-profit organization dedicated to moving renewable energy resources into the marketplace. IREC emphasizes education and outreach, stakeholder coordination, technical assistance, workforce development, the adoption and implementation of uniform guidelines and standards, consumer protection and building networks to share experiences and information. DSIRE1 is one of their projects.
Government policies and groups
Some Texas bike laws from BicycleAustin.info:
- A person operating a bicycle has the rights and duties applicable to a driver operating a vehicle
- Must have good brakes. Must have white headlamp in front and red light or reflector in back at night.
- May not use a bicycle to carry more persons than the bicycle is designed or equipped to carry.
- Cyclists moving slower than the other traffic on the roadway shall ride as near as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway, unless passing, turning left, or for safety reasons.
- May not ride more than two abreast.
- May park on sidewalks.
- Not required to carry ID.
North Central Texas Council Of Governments (NCTCOG) page on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation. (The NCTCOG is a volunteer group which assists local governments in planning, and helps them recognize regional opportunities, eliminate unnecessary duplication, and make joint decisions.) Page includes the Mobility 2030 plan, the Regional Veloweb, map of existing bike trails, access to rails, safety education, etc.
(Veloweb, Bikeweb map)
Texas Department of Transportation page on the Safe Routes to School program. Dallas is not currently a target area, but the site includes info on forms and resources. They anticipate that there will be a call for non-infrastructure statewide services projects in spring 2008.
Local advocacy groups
BikeTexas (Texas Bicycle Coalition) is a state-wide advocacy group. Extensive upcoming event info. Includes past and present legislation, many links, and programs including:
- Share The Road – educational program to inform motorists and bikers of cyclist laws and safety
- Texas Tourism Trails – advances knowledge and development of historic Texas trails
- Safe Routes to School – unites communities toward the common goal of establishing and maintaining safe routes to school. (Funded by U.S. Department of Education’s Carol M. White Physical Education Program.)
<a href=”BikeDFW is a local bike advocacy group, working with BikeTexas and other groups to promote attitude and policy change in the DFW area. Tips on local groups and issues, how to get involved, etc.
Rails to Trails
Rails to Trails Conservancy “promotes policy at the national and state levels to create the conditions that make trail building possible.” Absolute wealth of information on legislature, completed, and future trails, a trail-building toolbox, and more. Does not currently have a Southern Region (Texas)office. They provide a free database on TrailLink.com that information on more than 1,450 rail-trails, driving directions, pictures, etc.
The Surface Transportation Board oversees all changes made to railways. It includes a database on active and abandoned rails. (Rails to Trails offers advice on searching for abandoned corridors.) DART and the City of Dallas seem to be considering abandoned corridors for metro lines or other possibilities.
Friends of the Katy Trail is currently working to light the existing portion of the Katy Trail and eventually extend it west to the Trinity River.
Other trails
“Since 1992 the Texas Trail Network has been promoting quality development and management of trails, providing a forum to address trail-related concerns, and advocating a statewide trails system network.” Includes comprehensive list of Texas trails (not only bike) often with Google map.
Dallas Off Road Bicycle Association is a group of off-road enthusiasts who also maintain trails on a volunteer basis, and have a list of the off-road trails around Dallas.
Other references
Richardson Bike Mart has a long list of biking links.
CycleTexas.com supports self-guided tours in Fredericksburg and the Hill Country.
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