The seven episode Build San Antonio Green series is a co-production of the Metropolitan Partnership for Energy (MPE) and Texas Public Radio.  The programs are designed to share information about green building, energy saving techniques and developments in green building technology.

The episodes provide information of interest to home owners, home builders, commercial builders and anyone interested in how to save energy at home or work. The podcast is an outgrowth of TPR and MPE's collaboration on issues surrounding energy conservation.

Hosts & Producer:  Dan Skinner is the General Manager of Texas Public Radio.  Anita Ledbetter is the Executive Director of San Antonio's Metropolitan Partnership for Energy.  Stephen Colley is the Green Building Coordinator for San Antonio's Metropolitan Partnership for Energy.  Program production by Kris Zebrowski who is also a green building program associate with MPE.

Program Archive:

Program 001 – What Is Green Building?       Windows Media      MP3 Download
March 3, 2008 · Featured Guests: Anita Ledbetter, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Partnership for Energy (MPE), architect Stephen Colley, the Green Building Coordinator for MPE, and Heather DeGrella, Executive Board Member of the U. S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Central Texas Chapter and Project Manager at Lake/Flato Architects.  Topics covered include: What is MPE? What is Build San Antonio Green?  How does the program work for home builders?  What is the USGBC?  What green standards exist for builders of commerical buildings?

Program 002 – What Can  I Do To Save Energy In My Home?      Windows Media      MP3 Download
March 18 , 2008 · Stephen Colley, an architect and Green Building Coordinator for Build San Antonio Green talks with host Dan Skinner about ways you can save energy at home.  Topics covered include heating and cooling, insulation, windows and fireplaces.

Program 003 – Green Home Building      Windows Media      MP3 Download
April 18 , 2008 ·  John Friesenhahn from Imagine Homes talks with Stephen Colley and Dan Skinner on this edition of the podcast.  Green building practices at Imagine Homes, industry trends and advice for existing home owners on how to improve energy efficiency are discussed.

Program 004 – Green Washing     Windows Media      MP3 Download
July14, 2008 ·  Stephen Colley, from San Antonio's Metropolitan Partnership for Energy, and Dan Skinner discuss "Green Washing."  Many product producers are trying to present themselves as environmentally friendly, but the buyer needs to beware.  How can you tell if a product is truly green?  Stephen Colley offers advice on how to check on "green" claims before purchase.

Program 005 – Indoor Water Conservation    Windows Media      MP3 Download
August 12, 2008 · Eddie Wilcut, from the Conservation Department of the San Antonio Water System (SAWS), joins Dan Skinner to discuss indoor water conservation.  What can we do at home and at work to conserve water?  Some solutions just involve adjusting our routines and basic maintenance to stop leaks, etc.  Additional conservation can also come through taking advantage of new products and technologies.  Topics covered include hot water heaters, showers, water re-circulators, aerators, washing machines, and toilets plus information about home audit services and rebates/incentives from SAWS for installing water saving fixtures.

Program 006 – Outdoor Water Conservation     Windows Media      MP3 Download
October 20, 2008 · Dana Nichols, from the Conservation Department of the San Antonio Water System (SAWS), and Kris Zebrowski from the Metropolitan Partnership for Energy join Dan Skinner to discuss outdoor water conservation.  Topics covered include "Water Saver Landscaping" techniques, watering restrictions, rainwater conservation, and resources for more information including the home audit services and rebates/incentives from SAWS at saws.org.

Program 007 – Green Remodeling     Windows Media      MP3 Download
January 30, 2009 · Stephen Colley, the Green Building Coordinator for San Antonio's Metropolitan Partnership for Energy joins Dan Skinner for a discussion about remodeling for energy efficiency.  Topics covered include the cost of "green" renovation versus "standard" renovation, energy audits, solar energy systems, and sources for more information including the "Renovation and Remodeling: Core Criteria" publication available from the Metropolitan Partnership for Energy.

More information on any of the topics is available at buildsagreen.org.

 

If you enjoyed this series, you would probably be interested in another series of green-focused programs.  Texas Public Radio's Dan Skinner hosts Living Green, a podcast designed to promote sustainable living in San Antonio.  This program explores a wide range of green topics, including alternative energy, energy conservation, environmental conservation, community gardens, parks, transportation, and more.  Listen and find out more about the series.