"Charrette" refers to any collaborative session in which a group of designers drafts a solution to a design problem. While the structure of a charrette varies, charrettes often take place in multiple sessions in which the group divides into sub-groups. Each sub-group then presents its work to the full group as material for future dialogue. Such charrettes serve as a way of quickly generating a design solution while integrating the aptitudes and interests of a diverse group of people. -- Wikipedia, 3/8/10

And so it was. Mayor Leffingwell revived the "Community Plan" portion of Austin's 2007 Climate Protection Plan by sponsoring a day and half charrette at City Hall, March 4 & 5. The meetings, which were led by partnership between the Mayor's and Climate Protection staffs, involved more than 60 local community leaders gathered at City Hall. Professionals, city employees and grassrootsers (like me) from diverse backgrounds (transit, water, real estate, big biz, commerce, low income, UT, etc) got together to first define a common goal, then branch off to lay out objectives and metrics for guiding and measuring future progress.

2/27/10 -- Austin Energy's general manager, the much revered and very inspiring Roger Duncan, retired yesterday after more than 30 years of public service to Austinites.

(photo shows Jake Stewart)

On Thursday, 2/25/10, Jake Stewart, former manager of the City of Austin's Climate Protection Program, presented a successful petition drive to City Council, urging leaders to renew their commitment to making Austin "the leading the city in the nation" in climate protection. Austin first adopted its climate protection plan in March 2007, under a previous mayor and city council.¹ 

See the petition here. 

re: The Mayor's forum on Austin's Electricity Plan, 2010-2021.

These notes are observations compiled from the last several months of involvement regarding Austin Energy's Generation Plan, 2010-2021.

With a whole lot of admiration for the very good folks reporting on Austin Energy's electricity generation plan, 2010-2021 -- and at the risk of doing a little damage to these friendships: yesterda

These notes are observations compiled from the last several months of activism regarding Austin Energy's Generation Plan, 2010-2021. . .

EcoNetworkers -- I wanted to share this --

Alejandro Escovedo recently added the 433rd signature
to a citizen petition calling for renewed climate leadership

What do Alejandro Escovedo and the Pope have in common? ... They both believe climate leadership is underserved.