21 Feb Texas Energy Independence Week

You can support Texas’ energy future at Texas Energy Independence Week at the Texas State Capitol Building.   Exhibits will be on display in the State Capitol Building’s North Gallery February 21 – 23 and there will be a day of forums at the Capitol Auditorium Wednesday, February 23. 

By attending one of these two Free Forums you show support for development of low-carbon emission renewable energy and technology in Texas.  Now more than ever our legislators need to see there is public support for renewable energy. “The race is on across the U.S. to host and develop the renewable energy industries, and decisions our legislators make this session will determine whether Texas will lead or cede,” said Russel Smith, Executive Director, TREIA. He went on, “Acting now to secure a significant part of our energy mix from non-depletable sources will pay dividends long into the future.  As our state’s leaders wrestle with difficult budget issues it is important that they take steps to further develop our renewable energy sector.”

Continuing a tradition since the 90’s, Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA) has declared February 21 – 24 Texas Energy Independence Week, in the spirit of Texas Independence Day, March 2 which Texas celebrates one week later. 

At the morning forum, starting at 8:30 a.m. six professors from five Texas universities speak on renewable energy research and technology.

The afternoon forum consists of two panels starting at 2:00 p.m.

• Michael Osborne, Special Assistant to the Manager, Austin Energy, moderates the 1st panel, Renewables and Natural Gas, Confluence or Conflict or Something In Between?
•  Colin Meehan, Environmental Defense Fund moderates the 2^nd panel, The Business Case for A Robust Role for Renewable Energy in Texas’ Energy Mix. 

In Meehan’s blog he ask, “What questions would you ask of these business leaders?  Tweet your questions to @EDFtx before the panel on February 23, 2011 and I’ll select a few of the best to ask our panelist. Even if you can’t make it to the panel, this is a great opportunity to expand the discussion of promoting renewable energy development in Texas and maybe you will spark an idea no one has thought of before. ” 

Support Texas energy future … come to the forums in the Capitol Auditorium!  For details go to> http://www.treia.org