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January 2026

Building a more sustainable, resilient and equitable Waco.

One of the big local stories that finished out 2025 was the potential construction of a $10 billion data center project near Waco. There's been some good coverage about this in The Waco Bridge and in the Waco Tribune-Herald. We also had some interesting discussion about it at the last Sustainable Resource Practices Advisory Board meeting. It's definitely one of those topics that make people more aware of our precious natural resources, especially water and air quality.

The growing buildout of AI data centers and their enormous energy demand is also having an impact on the cost of electricity for everyone. TEPRI (Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute) just released their latest report that forecasts residential electricity prices in Texas. Rates have increased 30% since 2021 and are projected to increase another 29% by 2030.

Making homes and buildings more energy efficient (some folks call this eliminating energy waste) is one of the best strategies to deal with rising electricity costs. At the City of Waco we've been ramping up our energy efficiency work as well as looking for cost-effective opportunities to install solar like we're doing at our Operations Center building.

Cheers to the New Year,

Eric Coffman
Sustainability Programs Manager
ericc@wacotx.gov

Tackling the Climate Crisis

Procurement for Operations Center Rooftop Solar

The City of Waco is soliciting proposals from qualified solar providers to design and install a rooftop solar PV array at the City’s Operations Center located at 1415 N 4th Street. The deadline is January 14 to submit a proposal. If you're interested in this project, be sure to read through RFP-2025-042 and apply through the online portal HERE.

Preventing Waste & Pollution

Need Help Cleaning Up After the Holidays?

Tis the season for... cleaning up? The City of Waco Solid Waste team is here to help you clear out the holiday clutter the right way!

• Recycle most wrapping paper, cardboard boxes, and packaging in your blue bin, unless it has metal, wax, velvet, or glitter.
• Natural wreaths, mistletoe, holly, and other natural decorations can go in your green bin. Make sure to remove any artificial pieces.
• If you're getting rid of an artificial tree, you can schedule a curbside bulky waste pickup at waco-texas.com/solidwaste.
• Natural Christmas trees can be left on your curb on any green bin week during the month of January.

In the Community

STEAM Center Grand Opening January 16

You're invited, Waco! Join us on January 16, 2026, at 10 a.m. as we celebrate the ribbon cutting of the Bledsoe-Miller STEAM Center!

Enjoy a short program, building tours, tasty refreshments, and a few surprises along the way! We’re excited to partner with Transformation Waco and jump into a new year full of creative, hands-on STEAM adventures!

If you haven't yet, be sure to Watch Captain Atom, the Waco STEAMbot and spirited guide and mentor of Waco's STEAM Center.

Corridor Beautification Program

The City of Waco is investing in the community with the Corridor Beautification Program! This matching grant helps business owners enhance the visual appeal of their property on certain corridors along portions of Waco Drive, La Salle Ave., 18th/19th Streets, and 25th Street.

If you're a property owner, apply now to receive up to $15,000 to revitalize your property! A one-to-one match of funds from the business is required. The application period is open from now to Feb. 28. Program funds are limited.

Upcoming Events

Waco Downtown Farmers Market

SATURDAY MORNINGS, 9am-1pm, 200 E. Bridge St.
Come ring in the new year with your favorite local businesses. Shop fresh collard greens, silky mushrooms, and zesty microgreens. Pick up some freshly pressed juice and some locally pastured chicken for a balanced start to your New Years resolutions. Check out some of the Saturday morning lineup in January:

• JANUARY 10: Music: Eric & Thomas. Wellness: Orangetheory. Master Gardeners. Waco Pet Circle.
• JANUARY 17: Music: Steve Dansby. CASA of McLennan County. Breaking Silence Foundation.

Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables

JANUARY 15, 9:30am-10:30am at Dewey Community Center, 925 N. 9th St.
Attend free classes for adults 55 and older put on by the Waco-McLennan Public Health District at the Dewey Community Center. Learn how to make healthier food choices. Discover ideas to stay active. Find out how to save money at the grocery store and understand how to read food labels. This class will be on Thursdays running for 8 weeks starting on January 15. 

Sustainable Resource Practices Advisory Board Meeting

JANUARY 15, 3pm, City of Waco Operations Center, 1415 N 4th Street
The general public is welcome to attend this monthly meeting of the citizen board that makes policy recommendations to the Waco City Council. Consider becoming a member of the board. More information found here.

STEAM Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

JANUARY 16, 10am at Bledsoe-Miller STEAM Center, 300 N. MLK Blvd.
You're invited, Waco! Join us on January 16, 2026, at 10 a.m. as we celebrate the ribbon cutting of the Bledsoe-Miller STEAM Center! Enjoy a short program, building tours, tasty refreshments, and a few surprises along the way! We’re excited to partner with Transformation Waco and jump into a new year full of creative, hands-on STEAM adventures!

Styrofoam Recycling Collection Event

JANUARY 17, 9am-1pm, Parking lot at corner of Valley Mills & Waco Dr
Waco Friends of the Climate will hold free Drive-Thru Styrofoam Recycling, Sat., Jan. 17, 9am-1pm, in the parking lot at the corner of Valley Mills & Waco Drives, in front of Ocean Buffet. All forms of Styrofoam are accepted except peanuts. Please bring small particles in a bag. For questions: anorthc@aol.com

Waco MPO Book Discussion Group

JANUARY 20, 5:30-7:30pm, Brotherwell Brewing, 400 E Bridge St
Join the MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) for a book discussion of "Order without Design: How Markets Shape Cities" by Alain Bertaud.

What We're Reading & Listening To

Articles

Talks underway for $10 billion data center and power plant north of Waco
By The Waco Bridge

Texas’ energy market redesign could leave battery developers in limbo
By Canary Media

Books

Into the clear blue sky : the path to restoring our atmosphere
By Rob Jackson

Podcasts

How We Survive: What the World's Farmers Can Teach Us About Climate Resilience
By Marketplace

Send us your suggestions for articles, books, podcasts, or videos, so that we can share them with our community.

Have Something to Share?

Submit your announcements and ideas to Eric Coffman by FEBRUARY 1 to be included in next month's newsletter. 

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