HomeMy WebLinkAboutUBI 2010 MARCHEnergy Efficiency Investments
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
Dec. 31, 2010, whereas installations of
geothermal heat pumps, solar energy
systems, residential wind turbines and
fuel cells also apply to newly constructed
homes through Dec. 31, 2016. Some
installation costs also are covered by the
tax credit.
For information on qualifying installations
for the federal tax credit and how to file
for and obtain the tax credits, visit the
Energy Star Web site at energystar.gov/
taxcredits.
SECO REBATES
On Dec. 11, 2009, the Department of
Energy approved a state award of $23
million to the SECO for a state-wide rebate
program for energy efficient appliances.
Appliance mail-in rebates will be available
(directly and via advanced reservations) to
consumers who purchase eligible Energy
Star appliances to replace the same type
of existing functional appliance. The
rebate period will be between April 16
and 25, during a period that coincides
with Earth Day. Qualifying appliances
include Energy Star refrigerators and
freezers, 14.5 cubic feet or greater, clothes
Inside College Station
From the City of College Station, Home of Texas A&M University • College Station, Texas
Now is the best time to invest in energy
efficiency for your home. Many home
improvements carry a 2010 federal
tax credit, and approved Energy Star
appliances, purchased between April 16
and April 25, will qualify for a cash rebate
from the State Energy Conservation Office
(SECO). Homeowners may further qualify
for cash rebates from an array of energy
conservation rebates offered by the College
Station Utility Energy Services Division.
FEDERAL TAX CREDITS
The Consumer Energy Efficiency Federal
Tax Credit was approved by the stimulus
bill that was passed by Congress in 2009.
A tax credit differs from a tax deduction
in that the tax credit reduces tax directly,
while a tax deduction or allowance reduces
only the taxable income. Homeowners
wanting to take advantage of the tax credit
may do so by adding insulation, reflective
roofing, or installing energy-efficient
windows, doors, water heater or a heating
and air conditioning system. Homeowners
will receive 30 percent of the cost, up to
$1,500, back via the federal tax credit.
These installations apply solely to existing
principal residences (non-rentals) through
washers, dishwashers, room and central
air conditioners and heat pumps.
Texas consumers will have an opportunity
to reserve an appliance rebate by
registering online approximately two
weeks prior to the beginning of the rebate
period. The rebate program will not be
retroactive and will only apply to eligible
appliances purchased once the program
begins. SECO will be working with retailers
and recycling facilities to create a system to
help consumers replace and recycle their
old appliances. Purchasers will be limited
to two appliance rebates and two recycling
rebates per household.
For more program information or to sign
up for rebate information e-mails, visit
seco.cpa.state.tx.us/arra/rebate/index.
php#offers.
CSU REBATES
College Station Utilities has long held a
commitment to the promotion of energy
efficiency. In honor of our commitment,
CSU offers numerous energy conservation
rebate packages to encourage and assist
College Station Utility electric customers
in addressing their personalized energy
conservation needs. Should you decide
to participate in the federal tax credit
program, the CSU Energy Back II Air
Conditioning Replacement Program and/or
the Sun Source Residential PV Solar Rebate
Program, you may be entitled to additional
rebates from College Station Utilities.
For more information, contact the CSU
Energy Services personnel at 979.764.6274
or visit cstx.gov/utilities.
March 2010
For more eco-friendly tips, visit:
cstx.gov/green
at brazosvalleyseniorgames.org or call
the College Station Parks and Recreation
Department, Senior Services, at 979.
764.6371 for more details.
Save Water, Energy & Money
Get Flush With Savings
Save money with every flush by replacing
your water-guzzling toilet with a Water Sense
labeled toilet. Save even more money with a
rebate from College Station Utilities. Rebates
are available for new Water Sense certified
tank-type toilets that are replacing older
models (3 or more gallons per flush) or in
new construction.
Save Up for a Rainy Day
Install a rainwater collection barrel and make
the rain work for you. Rebates are available
now for rainwater collection barrels of 30
gallons or more, used for non-potable (non-
drinking) water.
Spring into Conservation
Get your sprinkler system in shape for spring
and summer gardening with a free Irrigation
Check-Up. Call 979.764.6344 or email
cwhite@cstx.gov to schedule your check-up
today!
For more information about rebate programs
and how to make every drop count, visit cstx.
gov/green or call 979.764.6223.
where to locate supermarkets, businesses,
new housing and other facilities.
Census Day is April 1, 2010. All 2010 Census
responses should represent the household
as it exists on this day.
Census forms will be delivered or mailed to
households in March. Households should
complete and mail back their form upon
receipt, including student households.
Census workers will visit households that do
not return forms to take a count in person.
By law, the Census Bureau cannot share
respondents’ answers with anyone, including
other federal agencies and law enforcement
entities.
For more information on our local efforts,
visit cstx.gov/2010census. You can also get
information at 2010census.gov.
Brazos Valley Earth Day –––
Brazos Valley Earth Day will be held on
Saturday, April 17, at Wolf Pen Creek from 11
a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free to the public.
Brazos Valley Earth Day, formally known as
the Planet Earth Celebration, is a community-
wide public education event held annually
on the Saturday of Earth Day in April.
Representative businesses, city services and
service organizations throughout the Brazos
Valley will provide information, educational
demonstrations and displays on a variety of
environmental topics.
For more information, contact Recycling
Coordinator Heather Qualls at 979.764.6229
or hqualls@cstx.gov. You can also visit
brazosvalleyearthday.com for up-to-date
information.
Brazos Valley Senior Games
The Brazos Valley Senior Games provide an
excellent and exciting opportunity for adults
50 years of age and older to compete in a
variety of sports and recreational events
that promote fitness, wellness and a healthy
lifestyle.
The deadline for registration is April 8. Visit
the Brazos Valley Senior Games Web site
CITY OF COLLEGE ST A TION
INSIDE COLLEGE STATION MARCH 2010 • PAGE 2
_____________________
Saturday, April 24
7 a.m. - 2 p.m.
University Services Building
3380 University Drive East_____________________
For a complete list of accepted
items visit cstx.gov/hhw or call
Hazardous Waste Hotline at
979.764.3809.
Household Hazardous
Waste Collection Event
Duck Jam ---------------------
Willie Nelson and .38 Special will headline
the fifth annual Duck Jam at Wolf Pen Creek.
The event will take place on April 23 and 24.
Playhouse Disney’s Choo-Choo Soul will
headline the kid’s stage at The Lil’ Quack
Kid’s Area. Other attractions for children will
include: Chrome’s Duck Dos, Rich O’Toole’s
Music Shop, and hands-on activities, art and
games hosted by the Children’s Museum of
the Brazos Valley.
Ducks Unlimited (DU) is the world’s largest
and most successful wetland and waterfowl
conservation organization. According to DU,
the United States has already lost half of its
wetland acreage and continues to sacrifice
80,000 acres each year, but with the help
of more than a million supporters, DU has
successfully conserved more than 12 million
acres of nature’s most productive ecosystem.
Proceeds from Duck Jam will support DU’s
conservation efforts.
This is a rain or shine event for all ages. For
more information or to purchase tickets, visit
duckjam.org.
2010 Census at a Glance ----
The census is a count of everyone living in the
United States, both citizens and noncitizens.
One of the shortest census forms in history,
the 2010 Census asks 10 questions and takes
about 10 minutes to complete.
Participating in the census can impact your
quality of life for the better. Every year, the
federal government distributes more than
$400 billion to state and local governments
based on census data. Census data also
guide local decision-makers on where to
build new roads, hospitals, child-care and
senior centers, schools and more—even