What’s the alternative?

Austinites care passionately about the environment and are leaders in environmental protection. That’s why a truly voluntary program that rewards participants and is supported by residents – not a top-down mandate that prevents some Austinites from buying a home – is the right way to promote energy efficiency in our city.

“We already have that,” you say? Not in our view. It’s true the City of Austin offers small incentives for minor energy efficiency upgrades. However, we need to enhance these incentives to make them meaningful and get behind them with an education campaign that aggressively promotes participation.

We feel so strongly about this that we’re dedicating the resources of the Austin Board of REALTORS® toward it. In addition to working with the city to encourage increased incentives, we’re developing a “Green REALTOR®” designation to provide specialized training regarding energy efficiency; adding energy efficiency statistics to Sellers’ Disclosure Forms; and stand ready to launch a communication campaign to owners of the 25,000+ homes sold each year in Austin. Click here to learn more.

Austinites are independent free-thinkers, which is how we’ve come to be leaders in environmental protection. A voluntary program that offers meaningful incentives and consumer education is the right way for Austin to achieve energy efficiency. Help us share that message with Austin Mayor Will Wynn and the Austin City Council.