Environmental & Energy Considerations – Preserving our natural resources, keeping our city clean and improving energy efficiency should be objectives of any progressive city. There are many things that we can do to further enhance the quality of life here in Frisco for today and the future.

• Water Conservation - While the City has excellent plans in place for new pumping stations and the ability to handle water demands for many years to come, it is important for the city and its citizens to look for ways to conserve water now so that our children and future generations can enjoy ample water supplies later on. Lawn watering accounts for over 75% of our use during the summer due to automatic sprinkler systems. Let’s look at it in a different way – we average about 400 gallons of water a day per resident and during the summer, that number more than doubles to over 800 gallons per resident, per day. That number has to be reduced and can be reduced with conservation efforts. Unfortunately conservation is going to be a way of life in North Texas. Nonetheless, I will continue to work with the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) to work on new water sources so that we have adequate water supplies well into the future. Everybody should do their part to preserve this precious resource.
  

• Tree Preservation – Trees not only add to the beauty of our city but they also improve air quality and protect wildlife. The city has a strong tree preservation plan in place so that citizens can enjoy this natural beauty that too often is taken for granted. I will continue to support efforts to require more trees to be planted throughout our city.
  
  
• Recycling – Recycling has grown tremendously in the City of Frisco but we still have a ways to go. Recycling awareness and how it saves money and reduces waste is a continuing effort.
  
  
• Energy Efficient Buildings – In May of 2001, the City of Frisco became the first city in the nation to adopt an ordinance designed to increase the energy efficiency of new homes while cutting homeowners’ utility bills. Under the new "Green Building" ordinance, the city has adopted the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star Homes Program requirements as the minimum standard for new home construction. This means new homebuyers could save as much as 30-percent on their utility bills. I want to make sure that existing homeowners have access to information on updating their homes to conform to these standards if they wish to enjoy energy savings as well.
  

There are many more energy and environmental programs that I am interested in seeing Frisco take the lead on and you will hear more about these in the future.

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Last Updated: July 2007