A Round Rock resident was honored June 12 for her effective use of solar panels and other environmentally friendly technologies to lower her carbon emissions.

In tribute to resident Karen Cripe's environmental efforts, Green Mountain Energy released 7,500 ladybugs along Butler Trail on Lady Bird Lake to represent the 7,500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions she avoided.

Cripe has been a GME customer since July 2010, and uses a variety of energy-saving devices ranging from a geothermal heat pump to energy-conserving paint.

Because of GME's renewable energy buyback program, Cripe began receiving bill credits for the excess renewable energy her home produced. She donated the earnings to other citizens of Round Rock who were in need.

"It was a pretty good fact after two years that I wasn't going to use the energy credits. With [the] cost of air-conditioning and electricity so high, we just wanted to give to others in the hope that if people recognize renewable options are out there, they will use them, too," Cripe said.

The ladybugs not only are commemorative, but they also protect the plants along the trail.

"We thought about how we could make it personal and fun," GME Public Relations Manager Katie Ryan said. "I hope this inspires other people to explore renewable options."