Since last year, there has been talk of improving the city's connection with alternative energy, and taking steps to make the city more environmentally friendly. Considering that Houston covers more surface area than most cities, it is hard to see how this could be quickly accomplished. Yet here we are. Houston has adopted the LEEDs standards for green building; commuter and light rail expansion is on the way; forty percent of the power to public buildings is said to come from wind power. Houston is also trying to attract alternative fuel industries to fit in with the energy firms that are already here.
Admittedly, I do not believe that Houston can claim a title like “greenest city in America”, although I have heard that phrase applied to this city recently. Speak to various environmental groups, and you will find that there is no consensus on what the term “green” means. This is probably why the FTC hopes to have rules in place next year. All of that aside, I am quite happy with my city's efforts to encourage a green environment. With all things, you need to start walking before you get there, and Houston is trying to build up speed to arrive at its destination.
With these efforts, Houston has launched a new site to help the residents go green. The site is Green Houston, and I am impressed by it. There is a forthright effort to deal with many issues, and to show Houston's response. I particularly liked the report section where you could read about the problems which the city faces along with the cities response (basically allowing both sides to have a voice). Otherwise, there are many helpful links to bring you to the information that you need to improve your green life.
I could simply say that these efforts are due to the current cost of fuel, or to the fact that organic and green are popular words among advertisers right now. However, the city has been making efforts for some time to improve this aspect of life. I can point to plans that appeared to be useless in improving situations that we faced, but then I have to give the officials credit for trying. If you have a chance follow the link above to check out the site for yourself. Let me know what you think.
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