Save the date: December 10 - 12, 2012 Bastrop, TX |
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DATES TO REMEMBER
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Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo North America
Long Beach, CA
February 14 - 16, 2012
TREIA Board Meeting
April 13, 2012
Denver, CO April 16 - 19, 2012
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NEW MEMBERS
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Robert Walter
Balanced Power Engineering, Inc. - West Vancouver, WA
Jeffrey Brown
Individual Member
Lubbock, TX
Jason Nunn
Individual Member
Hutto, TX
Nathan McConnell
Tariff Power, Inc.
Costa Mesa, CA
Garrett Gordy
Texas Solar Outfitters
Houston, TX
Brady Miller
Texas Solar Outfitters
Houston, TX
Michael Thornton
Western Texas College
Snyder, TX
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TREIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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President: Steve Wiese, Clean Energy Associates
Vice President: Hala Ballouz, Electric Power Engineers, Inc.
Secretary: John Lichtenberger, SunEdison
Treasurer: Richard Amato, Venti Energy
Members:
Kevin Gresham,
E.On Climate &
Renewables
Andrew McCalla,
Meridian Solar
Colin Meehan,
Environmental Defense
John Pitts,
SunPower Corporation
Mike Sloan, Virtus Energy
Research Associates
Billy J. "B.J." Stanbery,
HelioVolt Corporation
Carol Tombari,
Carol Tombari Consulting
Mark Walker, NRG Energy
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TREIA STAFF
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Executive Director:
Russel Smith
Director of Finance: Kathryn Houser
Manager of Operations: Scott Kornfeld
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Greetings!
Welcome to the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association newsletter. This newsletter is sent to you as a member or Friend of TREIA. If you've got suggestions please let us know by hitting reply and giving us your feedback. Thanks for staying in touch!
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From the president...
Steve Weise, President, TREIA Board of Directors
"In the long term, we have as much to gain from reducing existing energy production and consumption subsidies as we do from creating new ones." - Steve Wiese
Efficient Markets for Energy
When it comes to interfering with efficient markets for energy, our state and nation are hardly alone. A recent report by the International Energy Agency shows that fossil fuel subsidies outweigh renewable energy subsidies by more than 6 to 1 globally.
In Texas, the direct subsidy ratio was reported by the Comptroller at nearly 250 to 1 in favor of fossil fuels in 2008 (see http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/energy/, chapter 28, exhibit 28-7), a figure that might be reduced to something on the order of 3-4 to 1 after considering the annualized costs of RPS compliance and CREZ buildout - which show up on electricity bills rather than state and local budgets.
These figures point to a simple logical conclusion that is just as relevant here in Texas as it is worldwide - in the long term, we have as much, and probably even more, to gain from reducing existing energy production and consumption subsidies as we do from creating new ones.
As TREIA continues its work with the Texas Legislature and the Public Utilities Commission, this point is well worth bearing in mind.
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TREIA Policy Meeting -
State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez Speaks
Close to fifty participants, including representation from every TREIA policy sector subcommittee, joined in the first TREIA Policy Luncheon & Meeting of 2012 on January 19 at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown. The meeting preceded the first Board of Directors meeting of the year on the following day.
State Representative Eddie Rodriguez was the featured luncheon speaker. He laid out a sobering, but realistic, view of the legislative interim period we are now in and prospects for renewable energy in the 2013 legislative session. In short - due to budget and political conditions at the Capitol nothing is going to be easy about the road ahead.
On an up note Rep. Rodriguez suggested there should be a reasonable opportunity to successfully move bills in 2013 that make incremental policy improvements, particularly ... More>
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1st Board Meeting Of 2012 Officers Elected, Committee Appointments Made
At its first meeting of the year, on January 20, the TREIA Board elected officers and named several members of the Association's leadership team for 2012. Steve Wiese, Clean Energy Associates, was elected to a third term as TREIA President. Hala Ballouz, Electric Power Engineers, was elected Vice President, John Lichtenberger, SunEdison, is Secretary, and Richard Amato, Venti Energy, will serve as Treasurer. President Wiese, with agreement by the Board, filled numerous committee and sub-committee chairs and seats during the meeting.
2012 Board of Directors
Standing Committees
Special Committees |
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TREIA Active At Legislative Interim Hearings At Texas Capitol
TREIA Testifies at Senate Business & Commerce Hearing
The Senate Committee on Business & Commerce met on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at the Texas Capitol to take up the interim study charge to "Assess the impact of current and anticipated drought conditions on electric generation capacity. Identify those regions of Texas that will be most affected by a lack of capacity. Analyze response plans and make recommendations to improve and expedite those plans." The TREIA Board determined at the time interim charges were announced months ago that this particular issue is of great significance to the renewable energy industries and that renewables can and should play an important role in addressing it.
To that end, Robert A. "Bob" Webb, chair of TREIA's Legal Committee, presented the following testimony at the hearing on behalf of TREIA.
Robert A. Webb, Chair of TREIA Legal Committee
Since January 2011, when the 82nd Regular Session of the Texas Legislature convened and the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA) last adopted a set of legislative goals and priorities, an astonishing number of adverse developments have strained the continuing ability of ERCOT to match electric loads with an adequate supply of electricity. More>
TREIA Testimony Invited at Feb. House State Affairs Hearing
The House Committee on State Affairs, chaired by Rep. Byron Cook, is scheduled to meet on Thursday, February 9, in the John H. Reagan Bldg, Rm 140. The committee will hold a hearing to address the interim charge to "Examine the issue of resource adequacy in the Texas electricity market, federal and state interventions in the marketplace that may be negatively impacting future adequacy, and the best way to maintain resource adequacy." The TREIA Board feels this issue is a central one in the TREIA 2012 legislative policy objectives development process. This hearing will entertain invited testimony only with no opportunity for unsolicited public comment. TREIA has been invited to provide testimony.
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El Paso Electric Seeks To Install 2.6 MW Of PV Capacity
El Paso Electric Company (EPE) filed an application with the Public Utility Commission of Texas on December 9, 2011 to amend a certificate of convenience and necessity for five solar power generation projects in El Paso and Culberson Counties, Texas. The application has been designated by the PUC as Docket Number 39973. More>
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Wind In Texas Makes AWEA's Top Ten Wind Power Milestones Of 2011
When the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) announced its "Top Ten for 2011" on January 6, a Texas occurrence was in the mix. AWEA's take on it follows.
Wind power keeps the lights on. When more than 50 power plants totaling 7,000 MW unexpectedly went offline in Texas due to unusually cold weather early in the year, wind power was there to help stabilize the system and keep the lights on. Wind energy played a critical role in limiting the severity of the blackouts, providing enough electricity to keep the power on for about three million typical households. ERCOT, the Texas grid operator, confirmed that wind energy was providing
between 3,500 and 4,000 MW of electricity (about 7 percent of ERCOT demand at that time)-roughly what it was forecast and scheduled to provide-during the critical two-hour window when the grid needed power the most. Said ERCOT CEO Trip Doggett, as reported in the Texas Tribune: "I would highlight that we put out a special word of thanks to the wind community because they did contribute significantly through this timeframe."
Thanks are due AWEA for recognizing this important benchmark. This event showed that in Texas ... More>
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USDA Streamlines Access To Energy Investment Information
Washington, D.C. (Jan. 18, 2012)
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the launch of a USDA energy website that will provide stakeholders fast and efficient access to USDA energy efficiency and renewable energy data. Today's announcement builds on the Secretary's commitment to develop a modern and efficient service organization as outlined in USDA's Blueprint for Stronger Service announced last week. More>
To access the site, go to: www.usda.gov/energy
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Texas Investor Owned Utilities' Incentive Programs Exceed 1,000 PV Installations
Austin, TX (Jan. 25, 2012)
Since 2009, seven of the nine investor owned utilities in Texas have funded and completed over 1,000 residential and commercial solar PV projects. These projects have resulted in the installation of over 12 MW of installed PV capacity. Oncor, AEP-TNC, AEP-TCC, TNMP, Entergy, SWEPCO and El Paso Electric have all encouraged the expansion of distributed renewable solar energy in Texas, created new jobs for experienced installation experts, and have made solar PV systems more accessible to their customers. Funding for the programs ... More>
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enXco Acquires Cielo Wind's Spinning Spur Wind Project Assets
San Diego, CA (January 18, 2012)
 
enXco, an EDF Energies Nouvelles Company, and Cielo Wind Power, LP (Cielo) announced today that enXco has signed a purchase agreement to acquire from a Cielo affiliate the development assets for the Spinning Spur Wind Project. More>
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SEIA And Solar Alliance Merge - Increased Focus State Level Policy Developing
Washington, D.C. (January 3, 2012)
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the national trade association for the solar energy industry, announced today that it has officially merged with the Solar Alliance, an advocacy organization committed to establishing solar policies at the state level. Effective immediately, the Solar Alliance will operate under the SEIA brand in an effort to present a unified solar industry voice in all advocacy efforts at the state level. Carrie Cullen Hitt, president of the Solar Alliance, is now Vice President for State Affairs at SEIA, and the Solar Alliance team joins Hitt as part of SEIA's new department for State Affairs.
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Austin Energy Activates 30 MW Webberville Solar Project Now Largest In Texas
Austin, TX (January 6, 2011)
Austin Energy along with Austin City Mayor Lee Leffingwell and Village of Webberville Mayor Hector Gonzales today cut the ribbon on a 30 megawatt (MW) solar power plant located within the Village of Webberville, Texas. The project marks the first utility-scale solar-energy resource for Austin Energy and helps bring the utility one step closer to achieving a 35% renewable energy mix by 2020. It is the largest active solar project of any public power utility in the country, the largest active project in Texas and among the largest of all operating solar projects in America. The project began generating power on December 20, 2011. More>
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CPS Energy Negotiating With OCI Solar Power For 400 MW PPA
San Antonio, TX (January 11, 2012)
In a unique, first-of-its kind generation-to-manufacturing proposal, CPS Energy is entering into negotiations for a power purchase agreement from one of the nation's largest solar projects. The project will mean new corporate headquarters and U.S. manufacturing operations for global companies in San Antonio. The offer from OCI Solar Power is expected to result in 400 megawatts (MW) of zero-emissions solar energy, 800-plus professional and technical jobs, and more than $1 billion in construction investment.
San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro, CPS Energy Board Chair Derrick Howard, the utility's President and CEO Doyle Beneby, and executives with the future partners detailed the major local economic development initiative ... More>
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Changes Happening At Central Texas Clean Cities
Don't Lose Track
The Central Texas Clean Cities (CTCC) program was housed at Austin Energy for many years. Today the well known advocacy group for clean air is incorporated as a program at the City of Austin Transportation Department. Stacy Neef invites everyone to visit the CTCC's new content page on the City of Austin's web site. "This is a work in progress," said Stacy, "and more changes are coming!" More> |
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Texas Tech Wind Energy Program Continues To Expand
Lubbock, TX (January 26, 2012)
Growing interest in the Texas Tech University (TTU) Wind Energy program has led to a dramatic increase in its Spring 2012 enrollment. The program currently has over 475 wind energy course enrollments, both on campus and by distance, and both undergraduate and graduate classes.
The Wind Energy Program at Texas Tech, led by professor Andrew Swift, was the first of its kind in the nation to include an undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Wind Energy Degree. More>
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DISCLAIMER: Reference to a specific company, product, or service, in TREIA's Renewable Energy Record, does not constitute or imply recommendation or endorsement by TREIA. TREIA is not legally responsible or liable for claims by third parties expressed herein or in links from this publication. We hope the information in this newsletter was of value and easy to read. Please let us know if you have any suggestions for timely topics!
Sincerely, |
Russel Smith, Editor
Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association
Debrah Dubay, Layout & Design
Dubay Communications |
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