Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone! This is a joyful time of the year and it allows us to review what we have accomplished across the last 12 months.
The Mississippi Biomass and Renewable Energy Council (MBREC) has made great strides in the advancement of our organization. This year, we hired Strategic Biomass Solutions (SBS), a program of Innovate Mississippi (formerly the Mississippi Technology Alliance), to help administer our organization. With the help of a dedicated staff at SBS, we have been able to expand our presence by organizing quarterly meetings at various locations in Mississippi, such as Jackson, Hattiesburg and Starkville. These meetings have included presentations regarding various renewable energy and sustainability projects in Mississippi, as well as showcasing facilities and resources used by our research institutions. We at MBREC want to thank the speakers and attendees for these meetings, and we look forward to working further with you.
MBREC partnered with Mississippi State University to host the Southeast Biofuels and Renewable Energy Conference in Jackson, Mississippi, this past August. The theme of the 2012 conference was "Networking for a Sustainable Energy Future," and it was aimed at disseminating information regarding renewable energy to a wide audience. By all reports from the attendees, it was a huge success. Thanks to everyone for their contribution. It was truly a team effort!
MBREC members set up the portable booth at various trade shows this year. Our members represented the organization at events such as the Southern Section Air and Waste Management Association meeting on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as the Mississippi Development Authority's Renewable Energy Day in Jackson. These important events not only helped spread information about MBREC, but also helped educate Mississippians, from school-aged children to professionals, about renewable energy and sustainability, and the opportunities these areas present for the Magnolia State. Thank you to the members that took time off to "man the booth."
As we prepare for 2013, we are looking forward to the opportunities the New Year presents. 2012 saw multiple renewable energy and energy efficiency related bills and dockets come before the Mississippi Legislature and the Mississippi Public Service Commission. Additionally, Governor Bryant presented the Energy Works Road Map, which details how important energy is to the state. MBREC is closely monitoring the possibilities for these policies in Mississippi, and we want to hear from our members regarding how best to serve you as the upcoming legislative session begins.
In 2012, MBREC gained new members from various sectors, including academia, economic development, consulting firms and more. As the state's oldest member-driven organization dedicated to renewable energy and energy efficiency, MBREC has much to offer for this developing sector, and I encourage you to visit the link below to learn more about the organization and renew your membership.
This has been an exciting year for MBREC; I want to thank the board of directors, officers and members of the organization for their hard work, without which none of this would be possible.
Happy Holidays
John Mabry
President, MBREC
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