Home sales under way at eco-minded Whisper Valley

The first of hundreds of new homes are under construction in northeastern Travis County’s Whisper Valley community, which is set to become the nation’s largest energy-saving housing development.

The $2 billion subdivision is being built on a 2,062-acre site just east of Texas 130 at FM 973 and Braker Lane, about three miles south of Manor. The community will be powered solely by geothermal and solar energy.

Though it’s not the first project to feature sustainable, energy-smart homes, Taurus officials said Whisper Valley is the largest project of its kind to have “energy neutral” homes that are capable of producing as much energy as they consume.