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TEES, TAMIU to partner on renewable energy, energy conservation programs in South Texas
AUSTIN, Texas -- The State Energy Conservation Office of Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn (SECO) has awarded an $87,894 renewable energy and energy conservation contract to Texas A&M International University (TAMIU).
"Energy conservation programs are important economic tools for Texans," Strayhorn said. "When we encourage the efficient use of energy, we save tax dollars and help preserve our natural resources, both critically important to our future and to the future of Texas children."
The program, "Utility Resource Education Network -- A Guide to Lower Utility Costs," is an effort to provide renewable energy and energy conservation education to the South Texas region, primarily Laredo and surrounding Colonias communities. This education and outreach initiative will benefit the area residents, builders, developers and energy providers.
The Texas Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) and the Texas A&M College of Architecture's Center for Housing and Urban Development (CHUD) will join TAMIU in this education effort. The focus is the development of education and awareness courses that provide renewable energy and energy conservation information and recommendations to residents, and the promotion of renewable energy and energy conservation opportunities to the building community with construction standard best practices and deployment of new technology. The implementation phase will be delivered through 72 training sessions using the Internet, academic courses and general workshops in the community.
"Although we are working with TAMIU to educate the public, ultimately the success of the program relies on the local representatives' effort and ability to encourage residents to adopt the new technology," Comptroller Strayhorn said. "We have a long way to go in Laredo's Colonias, but this is a much-needed step in the right direction."
Dr. Ray Keck, TAMIU president, said the SECO grant affords the university a remarkable outreach opportunity.
"This is an important extension of our university's service mission and will afford us an opportunity to marshal teaching, research and service components at TAMIU to help further renewable energy and energy conservation for Texas, Dr. Keck said.
SECO administers and delivers a variety of energy efficiency programs that significantly impact energy cost and consumption in the institutional, industrial, transportation and residential sectors. These programs provide technical resources to utilize energy efficiency, financial assistance to complete energy retrofits and educational materials to make the public aware of the necessity for an energy efficient society.
For more information, contact
Author: John E. Ellis
512/463-070
john.ellis@cpa.state.tx.us
News Story 1130,
Direct page link:
http://tees.tamu.edu/news/1130
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