Travis County Paves the Way for Texas’ Energy and Water Efficiency Financing Plan

(AUSTIN – March 24, 2015) Environmental Defense Fund hailed the Travis County Commissioners today for approving Texas’ first Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program. Passed during the last legislative session with support from both sides of the aisle, PACE is a voluntary, innovative financing tool that allows commercial and industrial property owners to repay loans for water conservation and clean energy projects, such as rooftop solar and energy efficiency upgrades, through their property tax bill. Now, businesses, in particular small and medium ones, will have access to a considerable amount of private funding for clean energy and water conservation projects in Travis County, while also increasing the value of their property.  

“We applaud Travis County for leading the clean energy charge and giving Texas businesses greater access to private capital and resources like rooftop solar panels.

“EDF hopes other cities and counties in Texas – with practically year-round sunshine and scarce water supplies – will look to PACE to cut down on high electricity costs, conserve water supplies in growing communities, and unleash the flow of funding to industry – free of mandates and government loans.”

• John Hall, Texas State Director, Clean Energy