Save the date: December 10 - 12, 2012 Bastrop, TX |
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DATES TO REMEMBER
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TREIA Electric Generation Adequacy & Reliability ForumThe Case for a More Diversified Grid
Texas Capitol Building
Tues. May 8, 2012
*Free - Open to the Public - No Preregistration Necessary
Small Wind Energy Systems
Austin, TX
Tue May 22, 2012 8:30 AM
* $50 TREIA Member Discount
Atlanta, GA
Sun Jun 3, 2012 8:00 AM - Wed Jun 6, 2012 5:00 PM
Location: TBD
DATE CHANGED
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NEW MEMBERS
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Mission Verde Alliance
San Antonio, TX
Erik Blackburn
Student Member
Austin, TX
Katherine Potter AREVA Solar Mountain View, CA
John Robbins
AREVA Solar
Mountain View, CA
Lynn Petrik
Longhorn Solar
Austin, TX
Roger Duncan
Individual Member
Austin, 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: Mark Walker, NRG
Treasurer: Richard Amato, Venti Energy
Members:
Kevin Gresham,
E.On Climate &
Renewables
Andrew McCalla,
Meridian Solar
Colin Meehan,
Environmental Defense Fund
John Pitts,
SunPower Corporation
Mike Sloan, Virtus Energy
Research Associates
Billy J. "B.J." Stanbery,
HelioVolt Corporation
Carol Tombari,
Carol Tombari Consulting
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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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TREIA Generation Adequacy Policy Forum, May 8th ...
Opening Keynote by Commissioner Pablos
"I can recall few times in the last 27 plus years of our organized efforts as a renewable energy industry when it was more important for us to gather and share our thoughts on how to proceed in the policy arena," said Smith. "We must take advantage of opportunities to hear from and get to know the leaders of agencies of government whose decisions shape our future. Large attendance at policy luncheons and forums featuring these officials affirms to them our continued high level of commitment to developing renewables in Texas in spite of difficult times. And the camaraderie of our colleagues gives us assurance that we are not alone in tackling the challenges ahead."- Russel Smith
The next TREIA policy event, the "Electric Generation Adequacy & Reliability Forum," promises to provide some vital information and trigger lively discussion on a topic that is becoming increasingly important to the future of renewable energy development in Texas. ERCOT is projecting looming shortages of electric generation capacity in the years ahead, perhaps as soon as this summer. Given the nature of the competitive electricity market, continued growth the state is experiencing, an improving economy, and the ongoing drought, how can we avoid experiencing the threatened brownouts and blackouts of last year, and what role might renewable energy resources play in mitigating the problem?
TREIA Electric Generation Adequacy & Reliability Forum
The Case for a More Diversified Grid
When: Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Where: Texas Capitol Building - Room E2.016
(Open to public - No charge - No preregistration required) More>
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TREIA Releases Policy Statement on Solar Electric and Other "Distributed" Renewable Energy Technologies
Creates Local Jobs and Sustainable Benefits While Generating Power
In a short policy statement the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA) announced its finding that renewable electricity technologies not only generate clean and reliable power, but they also create local jobs, local economic growth and provide other sustainable benefits.
"Knowing that the need for new electricity generation in Texas is stronger than ever, TREIA wants to be sure that the sustainable benefits of renewable energy technologies are considered by planners and decision makers," said Steven Wiese, TREIA president and principal at Clean Energy Associates. "Renewable energy technologies like rooftop solar can be deployed quickly, consume no water, reduce transmission and distribution losses, and provide a means for consumers to voluntarily contribute to the production of electricity," he continued. "These technologies have an important role to play, especially now." More>
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ERCOT President's TREIA Luncheon Presentation
Frank And Data Packed
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Russel Smith, TREIA E.D. (l.)
"Trip" Doggett, ERCOT (r.)
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Over 50 TREIA members and guests gathered at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown for the April 9 Policy Luncheon to hear keynote speaker "Trip" Doggett, President and CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Mr. Doggett's presentation was frank, insightful, and data packed. He graciously remained at the podium for numerous questions, and comments afterwards confirmed this as one of the most interesting and informative in TREIA's long and continuing series of such events. Slides of Doggett's presentation with many detailed charts and graphs are available on the TREIA web site Home Page. Click Here |
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TREIA Signs Letters In Support Of PTC Extension And Renewables Programs In New Farm Bill
In an effort to lend some support for federal renewable energy policies, TREIA has increasingly been generating or signing letters to, and making contact with, key leaders in Congress. A couple of recent
examples are noted below.
* American Wind Energy Association
* Letter in support of the PTC
* Letter in support of the retaining and mandatory funding of the
renewable energy programs in the 2012 Farm Bill.
Requests from national associations and advocacy groups to weigh in with Texas' Congressional representatives are increasingly being directed to TREIA. While TREIA is primarily focused on state, and to some extent local issues, current trends at the federal level are necessitating a broadening of the Association's attention.
TREIA has filed comments and will provide testimony as needed. More>
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HelioVolt's Stanbery to Open IEEE PV Specialist Conference in Austin, June 3
 
Staring on June 3rd Austin will host thousands of attendees for the 38th PV Specialist Conference, the premier technical event for the solar industry. HelioVolt is proud to be a sponsor of the conference and along with TREIA, supporting a number of public events such as Sunday's Solar Day including the " Solar Energy for Bright Minds" High School PV Design Competition.
As the conference unveils, HelioVolt's founder and Chairman of the Board, Dr. Billy Jack Stanbery will be making the opening comments and welcoming visitors to this year's event. HelioVolt will be presenting their newest series of high-efficiency modules at the HelioVolt booth. Conference attendees are invited to visit and view the thin film CIGS modules demonstrating a novel architectural display. For additional information on HelioVolt's products and career opportunities, please visit www.heliovolt.com.
*TREIA members save $200 per person when they register for this event.
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PUC PROJECTS/DOCKETS OF CURRENT TREIA INTEREST OR INVOLVEMENT
QUICK REFERENCE SUMMARY
APRIL 30, 2012
* Project 39973: EPE CCN - Proposed Solar Installations
* Project 39674: Energy Efficiency
* Project 37897: Resource Adequacy
* Project 40268: Resource Adequacy
* Project 39797: 3rd Party Ownership/SB 981 Implementation
* Project 39917: Electric Storage/SB 943 Implementation
* Docket 40094: El Paso Electric Rate Case
* Project 40150: ERCOT Pilot Project Authority
TREIA has or will file comments or provide testimony as needed but member support strengthens this initiative.
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Austin City Council Approves New Local Solar Advisory Committee
Several TREIA Members Appointed
Following months of intensive effort on the part of Solar Austin and a coalition of other supportive organizations,the Austin City Council, on April 26, passed a resolution to create a Local Solar Advisory Committee. The initial members of the Council were named (see list via link below). Of the fifteen appointees, ten are from TREIA member companies or organizations. The City Council concluded that there is need for still more diversity and the City Council is likely to appoint additional members. More>
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Austin Energy Sets Major Milestone Rating 10,000th Green Building Home
Austin, TX (April 27, 2012) -
Austin Energy Green Building reached a major milestone today by rating its 10,000th single-family home since the program began in 1991. Austin Energy Green Building was the first green building program in the country and the first to start using a rating tool. Green Building awards homes ratings of 1 to 5 stars with 5 stars being the highest for incorporating environmental and energy-saving features into the design and construction of the home. More>
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Environment Associates Home On Houston Mayor's Green Building Tour
The spotlight will be on a home by Environment Associates during the upcoming Green Building Tour in Houston. Sponsored by the Mayor's Office and the Green Building Resource Center, the Tour is open to the public at no charge on Friday, May 4, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, contact Environment Associates at 713-528-0000 or email Info@EnvironmentAssoc.com. More>
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TREIA Policy Chair Butler Accepted For NREL Energy Execs Program
Notice has been received by Clay Butler, Founding Partner, The Butler Firm, and chair of the TREIA Policy Committee, of his acceptance for participation in Energy Execs, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's 2012 Executive Energy Leadership Program. More>
Contact Clay at 512-992-0439, butler@thebutlerfirm.com, www.thebutlerfirm.com.
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Mission Verde Center Includes Renewables Technology Demonstration, Education, Job Training, and Business Support
The Texas Center for Applied Technology (TCAT), a center within the Texas Engineering Experiment Station and a member of the Texas A&M University System has partnered with the City of San Antonio (CoSA), San Antonio Youth (SA Youth), San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD), CPS Energy, San Antonio Water Systems (SAWS), and Alamo Colleges, to create a multi-purpose sustainability and training center. As part of its Mission Verde Resolution, CoSA selected the former James Fenimore Cooper Middle School of the SAISD to serve as Mission Verde Center (MVC) @ Cooper, a multi-purpose sustainability and training center.
The center's objectives are
1) the accelerated development and deployment of existing and new renewable energy and sustainable water technologies;
2) creation of new business and job opportunities centered on renewable energy and sustainability; and
3) facilitation of private/public investment to build new economic generators driving job growth.
The mission of the center is technology demonstration, community education, job training, and business support in the general area of sustainable energy and water usage. More>
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PPA Sought By Tariff Power For Proposed 100 MW Solar Plant In Del Rio
California/Texas-based energy firm Tariff Power Inc. (TPI) decided to put a stake in the ground over a year ago by beginning development of a 100MW solar site in South West, Texas.
According to TPI's Nathan McDonnell, the location was determined in response to environmental mandates, ERCOT market volatility, and the request for additional generation in the region. He pointed out that the Public Utility Commission of Texas admits that a lack of new generation from low natural gas prices, and subsequent inexpensive electricity, will negatively impact availability. As a result, price conscious consumers are now facing a host of political pressures that insure increases.
For information please call 949-336-0222 or e-mail 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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