Austin Formula One facility to be greenest in world

$25 million in state subsidies

Roha Teferra, Jun 29, 11.

Austin City Council recently voted to make Circuit of the Americas, a motor race circuit southeast of Austin, the host venue for Formula One, a series of auto races referred to as Grand Prix, according to Statesman.com. Prior to the vote, Austin City Council Member Chris Riley worked with environmental leaders, city staff, and representatives with the Circuit of the Americas to formulate a list of environmental regulations that must be met so that Austin would support the cause:

This project shouldn’t just be about fast cars. The project offers opportunities to bring our local sustainability efforts to a worldwide stage…Austin’s version of the event should convey our commitment to clean technology research and development and should inspire people across the planet to think green.

The regulations indicate that the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) must do the following, according to the Statesman:

-Provide satellite parking and dedicated lanes for mass transit options
-Build structures to Austin Energy Green Building standards
-Invest in on-site renewable energy
-Embrace aggressive recycling and composting practices
-Invest in local carbon offsets, such as tree planting and land conservation
-Buy into Austin Energy’s Green Choice program
-Dedicate land for a community garden
-Partner with other organizations, such as Austin Technology Incubator, to support on-site green technology and research and development projects
-Coordinate with local educational institutions such as UT, Texas State, Houston-Tillotson, and Texas A&M to do green racing and transportation research
-Host alternative energy and energy efficient car races, in addition to cycling and foot races