General Information & Links
This section provides information relevant to energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy that may be potential sources of information.
See TREIA's Governing Policies and Documents for further information.
TREIA President Steve Wiese Testifies Before Senate Business and Commerce Committee - testimony regarding Interim Charge #2, specifically the “costs and benefits of alternative energy.”
President's Testimony - PDF format, 612 KB - August 24, 2010
Texas' Clean Energy Economy Report, Mitchell Foundation, aka The Hamilton Report.
Executive Summary (PDF Format, 929 KB), August 2010
Full Report (PDF Format, 4.2 MB), August 2010
Here is an overview excerpted from the report:
"This report examines the factors that affect our state’s energy economy – rising demand for electricity, continued volatility in global energy markets, declining costs for clean energy sources such as wind, solar and biomass, the possibility of a regulatory price on carbon dioxide emissions, competition with other states and the concerns of average Texans over their electric bills -- and presents three possible scenarios for our state’s clean energy economy over the next decade. With state policies that incentivize the development of a diversified clean energy economy, as Texas has done in the past to promote high technology, bio-medical research and other cutting edge industries, we can build a strong clean energy sector and maintain our leadership in the race for a new energy economy."
Texas Tax Code 313 Article, "New Rules for Property Tax Value Limitation
Agreements", (PDF Format, 81 Kb), July 22, 2010
Texas House Research Organization Report, Solar Energy in Texas Focus Report, (PDF format, 776 KB), July 20, 2010
TREIA Testimony by Steve Wiese, President - PUC Workshop, Proj. 35792, 500 MW Non-Wind RPS Testimony, - (PDF format, 753 Kb), June 30, 2010
TREIA/CEA Report, Licensing Requirements for Solar PV Installers in Texas: Frequently Asked Questions, (PDF Format, 135 KB), November 11, 2009, Steve Wiese, Director and Co-Chair, TREIA Solar Electric and Distributed Generation Subcommittee, and others.
6 Million + Elec. Meters Access Utility PV Incentive Programs In Texas
TREIA 2009 Legislative Agenda
For the list of Legislative objectives for TREIA for the 2009 Texas Legislature session, click here. Adopted by the TREIA Board of Directors on July 18, 2008, updated October 13, 2008, and last updated and approved February 6, 2009.
Biomass/Biofuels
USDA - Support for Biofuels on the Fast Track - June 10, 2009
Details and links to Programs and Grants
Solar
"Texas Utility PV Incentive Programs", a report by Clean Energy Associates, shows 6 million plus electric meters access Utility PV Incentive Programs in Texas, (PDF format, 497 KB), August 4, 2009
Wind
"Winds of Prosperity" Study on The Impact of the Competitive Renewable Energy Zone (CREZ)
Investment in Transmission Infrastructure and the Potential Effects on Renewable Generation,
Electricity Cost Savings, and Economic Development, The Perryman Group (PDF Format, 1.6 MB), May 20, 2010
2008 DOE report on Wind Technologies Market (1.9 MB), issued July 2009
Texas Operational Wind Plants
Here are two resources for reasonably current information.
a. American Wind Energy Association web site
b. Wind Farm Plant map from the Texas General Land Office - Jan. 2010 update - PDF Format, 15 MB - Note: This file is rather large and may need a couple of minutes to download.
The following sections of the Texas Tax Code are of special interest to many in the renewable energy industry:
a. Franchise Tax Exemption
Texas Tax Code, Sec. 171.056. Exemption - Corporation with Business Interest in Solar Energy Devices.; and Sec. 171.107. Deduction of Cost of Solar Energy Device from Taxable Capital Apportioned to this State.
b. Property Tax Exemption
Texas Tax Code, Sec. 11.27. Solar and Wind-Powered Energy Devices. (a) - (c)(2).
Federal Government Items of Interest
The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
City of Austin's Climate Protection Plan
Elements of the ACPP will help drive up the level of renewable energy activity in Austin.
TREIA members may access more Laws, Regulatory Rules, and TREIA Regulatory filings by accessing the Member' Only Area.
To facilitate research that advances public purposes and assist you in finding information relevant to energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy we are providing you links to Texas Organizations, Government Agencies, Education and Research Organizations.
Other Links
