A change in the wind for Valley green projects?

So-called "green" construction and renewable-energy projects have taken their time to catch on in the Rio Grande Valley, but a few companies and organizations are already leading the charge.

Whether designing buildings to minimize energy use, teaching colonia residents to build wind turbines, or trying to run a grocery store on renewable energy, some groups are learning to think in new ways, local organizers said.

"We're experiencing a renewable-energy wave in the Rio Grande Valley," said Mark Peña, coordinator of the Cool Cities program in Edinburg.

Last summer, the city became the first in the Valley to earn the Cool Cities designation, awarded by the Sierra Club.

Hopefuls must sign a climate protection agreement drafted by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, evaluate city policy and adopt more environmentally-friendly practices to secure the distinction.

Currently, city officials are looking at constructing more sidewalks and improving bike lanes in the city, as well as expanding Edinburg's recycling program, Peña said.

"I think we're hitting that point where we're finally making a turn," he said. "More people are interested (in the environment)."

ENERGY-EFFICIENT BUILDINGS
Across town, the Boys & Girls Club hopes to construct one of the first certified "green" buildings in the Valley.

The organization is planning a new, $11 million facility that will meet the requirements for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Structures must meet certain water efficiency, energy use and building material criteria to qualify, according to the U.S. Natural Resources Defense Council.

"It's the standard for green construction and design," said Jamie Crawley of Austin-based design firm TAG International. Crawley is designer and project manager for the Boys & Girls Club project.

"A lot of municipalities are using the LEED standard and adopting it into green-building ordinances," Crawley said.

The Boys & Girls Club decided to go through the LEED process for several reasons, said Sabrina Walker-Hernandez, the non-profit's chief professional officer.

"We wanted to be stewards of the environment, and also to keep our operating costs down," Walker-Hernandez said. "We're looking at the long-term costs for the facility and we also want to be an example for the area."

The building's design includes a roof rainwater-collection system, a walking trail with exhibits on green energy and design features that will help increase ventilation and reduce energy use, Crawley said.

Currently, the organization is raising funds to build the facility. Officials hope to break ground this year.

The Boys & Girls Club building will be the second LEED project south of San Antonio. The first likely will be a new U.S. Customs and Border Protection building in McAllen, slated for completion in April.

THINKING GREEN
H.E.B. also is considering renewable-energy ideas.

Last summer, the grocery chain, in partnership with Kentucky-based Wind Energy Corporation, agreed to erect a wind turbine at its distribution center in Weslaco.

Wind Energy Corporation hopes to use the structure to investigate the feasibility of a larger-scale project. So far, the results have been good, company CEO Jim Fugitte said.

"We're happy with the wind resource in the Valley," he said. "We've been happy with the total amount of wind speed available, as well as our ability to track it."

The 100-foot-tall tower and its 19-foot "sail," only has a capacity to generate 25 kilowatts, hardly enough to power the massive distribution center alone. But it provides enough power to collect significant data on wind speeds, Fugitte said.

H.E.B. is considering erecting more wind turbines to power its stores, officials said.

"It's really the right thing to do," said Ed Medrano, facility leader at the Weslaco center. "The wind is definitely blowing, and it's a method for capturing that wind and harnessing it into electricity. That means lowering our expenses."

TEACHING OTHERS
A group of students at the Science Academy of South Texas in Mercedes is not only learning about wind energy, but also is passing on that knowledge to others.

Fifteen students at the school, all members of an independent study class, are working with engineers from Texas A&M University to build a small turbine at a local colonia and then to put together a manual that others can follow.

"Our mandate isn't to make running wind turbines - it's to write instructions that are easy to understand so residents of a colonia can reproduce it," said Dale Coalson, architecture and technology teacher at the academy.

The students - who call themselves the "Turbinators" -- are using their drafting skills and engineering know-how to build an easy-to-replicate turbine capable of producing about 100 watts of electricity. That's enough to power a light or charge batteries, Coalson said.

As part of the project, they must find the turbine parts and tools locally, so a colonia resident could reasonably recreate it.

"I'm really interested in sustainable design," academy senior Lee Ellington said. "I want to learn how it works."
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Melissa McEver covers health and environment issues for Valley Freedom Newspapers. She is based in Harlingen and you can reach her at (956) 430-6252.