SBC Masthead
The coalition exists to facilitate the organization and education of the building and design community and the general public to foster: healthy and ecologically sound built environments    sustainable resource use    responsible and healthy businesses

Just How Green is Austin?
Paul Robbins


        Austin has a reputation as a city committed to environmental quality.  Is it
deserved?  At the next meeting, our presentation will address the state of the environment, both locally and nationally.

        The speaker will be Paul Robbins, editor of the Austin Environmental Directory.  In the recently published 4th annual edition, Paul wrote an "environmental report card," which shows how our society has gotten better or
worse in various environmental areas like energy and water use, green building,
transportation, urban density, food quantity and quality, solid and hazardous waste, and air pollution.

        Paul has been an environmental activist since 1977.  He started out fighting nuclear and coal plants.  As an activist and professional, he helped start several of Austin's environmental programs in energy conservation and recycling.  Since 1994, he has edited the Directory, an environmental products, services, and organization guide.  He is also a consultant and research writer in various issues related to environmental policy.

Announcements


Texas Renewable Energy Roundup 


Green Living And Sustainability Fair 

Education/Products/Services 
Solar - Wind - Biomass - Geothermal - Green Building - Sustainable/Organic Gardening & Ag. 

September 29-30, October 1, 2000 
Fredericksburg, Texas 

Organized by 
Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association 
Texas Solar Energy Society 

WEB SITE: 
www.RenewableEnergyRoundup.com 

Contacts: 
Russel E. Smith, Co-Organizer (512) 345-5446, R1346@aol.com 
Jane Pulaski, Co-Organizer (512) 926-8472, Jpulaski@flash.net

Greywater Call to Action
A Call To Action by the Hill Country Aquifers Coalition



We need your help to modify the State of Texas rules concerning greywater.  The rules need to be modified to both encourage and facilitate the reuse of greywater.  The magnitude of greywater production can be appreciated by the estimate that Texans will produce 854 billion gallons of greywater in 2050.   Greywater is household wastewater from showers, baths, laundry washing machines, and sinks not used for disposal of food waste.  Greywater has minimal contaminants and can be easily recycled.  Contact Curtis Chubb, Ph.D. (830)833-4334 blancotx@moment.net to find out what you can do to help.

Cob Mortgage Approved



Well, we finally did it.  With the help of everyone involved, Paul McCutchen of Old Kent, financed the construction of  a cob house north of  Georgetown designed by Stewardship, Inc..  The general contractor, Mike Carter of Cob Crew, is currently putting a crew together, so if you have any experience in construction, or are interested in putting together a workshop, please give him a call at 512-689-3262. Paul is extremely optimistic about what this means for the future of cob in this area.  He believes that this will open the doors for more people who are interested in the medium, but couldn’t procure the necessary funds to start.  If you are interested in financing a green project or want more information, talk with Paul McCutchen.
 
 
 

 

C.O.A. Green Building Seminars


All seminars are from 12:00 - 2:00 pm at Town Lake Center 721 Barton Springs Rd 1st floor Assembly Room. Call CJ Boggs 505-3700 no earlier than two weeks in advance to reserve a place.  Topic, time and place are subject to change, so always call to confirm about 2 weeks in advance of the date given in the given in the schedule.

March 14th Masonry Systems 
April 11th Dr. Claudia Miller, author of Chemical Sensitivity- Low Levels High Risk
 

Book Sales



The Sustainable Building Coalition has taken on selling books.  This is being done to help educate the public, provide a good source of sustainably oriented books for our members and help raise money for the SBC. Please support the SBC. 10% off the list price to current or new SBC members.

Title List
Alternative Bldg. Sourcebook  $   19.95 
Appropriate Building Materials  $   30.00 
Before You Build  $   19.95 
Build It With Bales  $   29.95 
Buildings of Earth and Straw  $   25.00 
Cob Builder's Handbook  $   23.95 
Earth to Spirit  $   17.95 
Eco-Renovation  $   16.95 
Farms of Tomorrow- Revisited  $   17.50 
Finding and Buying Your Place  $   25.95 
Healing Environments  $   12.95 
Humanure  $   19.00 
Independent Builder  $   30.00 
Independent Home  $   19.95 
Introduction to Permaculture  $   16.95 
New Natural House Book  $   22.00 
Not So Big House Book  $   30.00 
Passive Solar House  $   24.95 
Pattern Language  $   60.00 
Permaculture: A Designer's Man.  $   45.00 
Prescriptions for a Healthy House  $   29.95 
Rainwater Collection for the Mechani  $   15.00 
Rammed Earth House  $   30.00 
Solar Electric House  $   21.95 
Strawbale House Book  $   30.00 
Sustainable Vegetable Garden  $   11.95 
Wildlife Sanctuary Garden  $   11.95