Alternative Energy
As the world grapples with the joint issues of rapidly increasing energy demand and the impact of fossil fuels on global warming and international security, Houston is transferring its knowledge in traditional fuels into advances in alternative energy. See how we're leveraging a century of experience, and the world's largest pool of industry expertise and resources, to create smarter energy for the future.

Embrace innovation, conservation and sustainability. Be part of the future of energy in Houston.
Houston is positioned to play a critical role in five major areas of alternative energy.

 Wind 

• #1 state in wind power generation-producing 26% of the country's wind power1 
• #1 for local government green power purchasers2 
• #2 state in wind power reserves
• $4.93 billion state plan to create a "renewable energy superhighway" that will nearly quadruple Texas's wind power capacity
• City of Houston is the largest U.S. municipal purchaser of wind energy
•  The first offshore wind energy turbine in the United States will be installed off the Texas coast near Galveston Island in late 2010. The 2.75 MW turbine is a precursor to the 300 MW Galveston Wind Project and 3500 MW of areas already leased for Texas offshore wind operations. 
• The U.S. Department of Energy has agreed to partner with the University of Houston-led Wind Alliance on one of two $20 million large turbine-testing facilities. “Anyone building wind turbines will want to be next to this facility,” General Land Office Commissioner Patterson says. “Our facility will be a magnet for research and manufacturing. It will establish Texas as a worldwide leader in wind power for many years to come.”  
• Texas enacted legislation that allows municipalities to create "Energy Districts" to loan residential and commercial property owners money for renewable power and energy efficiency (www.cleanenergyfortexas.org).  
• Texas has established Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ) to help promote the siting and development of renewable energy projects, primarily wind
• International wind investments in the area include:
• $300 million from General Electric to Houston-based Horizon Wind
• $20 million turbine-testing facility; a joint partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and University of Houston-led Lone Star Wind Alliance
• R&D center for world's largest wind blade manufacturer, Vestas

Biodiesel Downloadable PDF Fact Sheet

• Biodiesel Energy
  

Biofuels

• Home to nation's largest and 3rd largest biodiesel plants
• The Gulf Coast is home to 5 commercial biodiesel production plants, representing 13.58 percent of the nation's total biodiesel production capacity
• Can leverage extensive existing infrastructure (manufacturing, R&D, commercial, funding and legal) created for petroleum products
• Strong university research base will help to successfully drive plant-based fuel development
• Strong community college network of training for process technicians

Smart Grid
This sophisticated power grid will transform the electrical infrastructure and make it easier to effectively store and transmit electricity generated from both natural gas and renewable resources.

• Strong network of academia/business/public sector that actively supports development of the grid
• Ready access to renewable fuels to power the grid
• The R&D, technology transfer and manufacturing expertise and resources are ready to make this a reality

Carbon Trading

• Extensive existing expertise/infrastructure in place to support traditional energy trading, which should readily transfer to cap and trade system
• Practice of Carbon Trading course at the University of Houston Law Center, believed to be first of its kind in the world
• Large number of area emitters who will require carbon credits

Alternative Energy by the numbers

• #1 Green Power Purchaser³
• #2 in Energy-efficient construction among large U.S. cities⁴
• #3 for most energy efficient commercial buildings in the nation⁵
• #3 for largest green job market⁶
• #3 Green Space⁷
• #3 for current and potential green jobs⁸
• Top Ten Cities for Green Technology Innovation⁹

Houston. Your committed partner in energy success.

A business-friendly tax haven-ranked #7 lowest nationally
Houston's state and local taxes are consistently below national averages, making our region an appealing place to locate or expand.

Incentives created with your needs in mind
The Houston area offers a variety of attractive state and local incentives including:

• Renewable energy tax exemptions
• Tax abatements on property, R&D and pollution control
• Emerging technology funding
• Employee training grants
• Product development/commercialization financing
• Brownfield redevelopment assistance

Affordable site and building costs
Commercial real estate costs are below the national average, and Houston has an ample supply of low-cost undeveloped land and established office and industrial space.

Abundant, cost-effective utilities
A deregulated energy market in most of Texas means a choice of retail providers and affordable rates across all utility types. And the region's commitment to developing Smart Grid will help to drive less price volatility and improved energy management in the future.

A central location backed by an exceptional transportation network
Grow your business in Houston and get an excellent mid-country location plus ready access to water, air, rail and road networks. Learn more about our transportation system and how it's backed by infrastructure support that's second to none.

Creating tomorrow's energy workforce
Whether you need access to some of the top minds in energy research and development or large numbers of affordable, unskilled labor, you'll find what you're looking for in Houston.

According to the United States Conference of Mayors, Houston ranked 3rd in the nation for current and potential green jobs. The report identified 21,250 green jobs in the Houston metro area during 2006, with an expected new green job growth of 168,136 through 2038.

Houston Ranked #8 for Top Cities for Clean Tech Jobs (according to Clean Edge Inc. – November 2009). Houston jumped from 15th to eighth this year based on a combination of job postings, investment activities, job presence and patent activity.

For a complete overview of workforce statistics and labor rates please go to Workforce.

"Green" Employment Downloadable PDF Fact Sheet

• Green Employment

The support you need for success

Education-creating tomorrow's workforce
To sustain our position as the world's energy hub, Houston has created a workforce development pipeline with a strategic focus on K-16 education-especially in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. Proactive collaborative research development programs have been established with the area's more than 42 colleges, universities and other degree-granting institutions, including energy powerhouses like the University of Houston, Rice University and Texas Southern University.

Alternative energy networks and events
A strong, collaborative network made up of business, academia and public sector members powers the Houston energy community and drives innovation and long-term, international success. Our business assistance and networking opportunities include these key resources:

Energy Collaborative operates through the Greater Houston Partnership and works to position Houston as an international energy leader.

Houston Advanced Research Center (www.harc.edu/) is committed to improving human and eco-system well being through sustainability science and development.

Houston Technology Center works to accelerate technology commercialization with business guidance and access to investors, mentors and industry service firms.

TheWind Alliance (http://thewindalliance.org) is a collaboration between industry, academia and government entities, led by the University of Houston, that develops infrastructure, technology and workforce.

Rice Alliance supports entrepreneurs and early-stage technology ventures through education, collaboration and research.

Technology transfer
Houston has a well-developed infrastructure with a proud history of successfully transferring technology developed at area research institutions to the private sector. There are dozens of proven resources that can help your organization leverage the commercial value of available research advances. Visit Technology Transfer for more information.

The city your employees will love to call home
Houston offers excellent educational and healthcare resources, affordable housing and a host of recreational options that range from public libraries (100+) and parks to pro sports and ballet. We're the #1 Place to Live, Work and Play.¹⁰ Find out for yourself why a wide diversity of people enjoy living here.

And an affordable place to call home
Housing options abound at prices that are well below those of other major metropolitan areas: in fact, the second quarter 2009 ACCRA Cost of Living Index showed that Houston's housing costs are 26% below national averages. It also shows that overall after-taxes living costs are 11% lower. When Houston is compared to 26 other metro areas with populations over two million, it does even better: housing costs are 46% below average and overall expenses are 20% lower. Houston residents keep more of their paycheck: local income tax rates are below national averages.