Page 250 - BWA FEB 2013

250 | Business World Magazine | February 2013
she employed to retrofit her home.
“A lot of times people don’t honestly
know what they can do to save energy,” Had-
den says. “Typically they can do things like
change their lighting, their air conditioning
systems – especially in Texas because it’s so
hot here – and improve insulation. These
kinds of things can make a huge, huge differ-
ence.”
The association also invited the media
to visit Hadden’s home, which is equipped
with solar panels to run her appliances and
her electric car. “If we’re running air condi-
tioning, we would use additional electricity,”
Hadden explains. “But other than that, it can
power our whole house.”
At SEED, their goal is to help mem-
bers set up similarly efficient living spaces.
“We help people figure out how to make
changes and we help utilities go about set-
ting up programs,” Hadden says.
WELL-RESPECTED
In addition to offering education, SEED
Coalition tracks relevant policy-making,
legislative processes and informs the pub-
lic of opportunities to voice their opinions.
Their major areas of focus include the envi-
Karen Hadden Flipping the switch at the opening ceremony for Austin Energ
berville Solar Project. Austin Energy GM Larry Weis