TREIA 2007 Awards Spotlight Company and Individual Accomplishments

during Texas Renewables ’07 Conference in Abilene

If you want to know who some of the key companies and individuals are behind the burgeoning renewable energy market in Texas you need only peruse this article on 2007 TREIA Award Winners spotlighted on November 14 during the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association’s Annual Awards Luncheon at its Texas Renewables ’07 conference in Abilene. These exceptional people and outstanding businesses are building momentum for renewables in Texas – America’s Renewable Energy Frontier.

Doug LaGrone, Kyocera, Inc., chair of the TREIA Awards Committee, announced and presented seven awards. Michael Osborne, chair of TREIA’s Vision 2020 Committee, announced the establishment of the Charles H. Freeman Service Award named in honor of Mr. Freeman who passed away in August of 2007 shortly after stepping down as President of the Association. The first version of the award was presented to Mr. Freeman’s surviving family and his closest business associate.

TREIA AWARDS - 2007

PROJECT OF THE YEAR

White Energy’s Hereford Ethanol Plant

White Energy, Ltd., headquartered in Dallas, has constructed what is Texas’ first major ethanol plant, a 100-million-gallon-per-year nameplate production facility. The plant in Hereford – the “Cattle Capital of the World,” in the Texas Panhandle, is one of the largest in the country. White Energy broke ground for the plant on July 18, 2006, and will begin producing ethanol before the end of this year (2007).

The company incorporated a number of efficiencies into its plan to reduce costs and energy consumption. It is located closer to its market destinations than typical facilities located in the Midwest. The grain feedstocks – corn and milo – will be stored in an existing 9.5 million bushel grain elevator adjacent to the plant. The dry grind milling process by-product - distillers wet grain (DWG) – will be sold to local cattle feeding operations. Selling wet as opposed to dry distiller’s grain allows White Energy to further reduce costs by not having to use additional natural gas in the drying process.

During plant construction, approximately 350 workers were employed on-site. On-going operations require some 40 full-time employees. The plant’s economic impact is estimated at $100 million annually when the plant is fully operational.

Award Inscription:

Project of the Year - 2007

White Energy Hereford Ethanol Plant 

In recognition of completion and activation of the company’s Hereford Ethanol Plant – Texas’ first major ethanol production facility.

Accepting for White Energy:  Kevin Kuykendall, CEO

MEMBER COMPANY OF THE YEAR

Biofuels Power Corporation

The Woodlands, Texas

Biofuels Power Corp. is producing and selling electricity from its recently completed biodiesel-powered generating plant in Oak Ridge North, Texas. The Oak Ridge North facility is the first power plant in the country to run entirely on biodiesel.. Biofuels Power plans to build a series of these biodiesel powered electric generating plants to serve residential and industrial customers in the Houston Metropolitan area.

The plant can produce up to 10 megawatts (MW) of electricity at any given time for delivery direct to the ERCOT grid. It is expected to use some 1 million gallons per month of clean burning, environmentally friendly alternative fuel made from oils derived from farm crops and animal fats.

For its pioneering development which helps reduce pollution in a major non-attainment area of the state, while broadening and increasing the market for biodiesel, TREIA was pleased to recognize the Biofuels Power Corporation.

Award Inscription:       

2007 Member Company of the Year

Biofuels Power Corporation

In recognition of completion and activation of the company’s

Oak RidgeNorth biodiesel fueled electricity generating plant – the first facility of its type in the nation.

Accepting for Biofuels Power Corporation:  Fred O’Conner, CEO                       

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Chuck Wright

All non-profit organizations are built and ultimately succeed on the voluntary efforts made by their members – from Board and committee chairs and members to assistance with specific projects and tasks. Each year we look for someone who stands out for their un-hesitating willingness to go the extra mile for the cause. The 2007 Volunteer of the Year, Chuck Wright, is such a person.

This recognition is not only for this year’s efforts, but is cumulative over several years. Chuck, who lives in Round Rock just north of Austin, has served as the go-to guy for all of TREIA’s office computer hardware and software needs and emergencies. His assistance has been invaluable in keeping the TREIA computer system up, adequate in capabilities, and reasonably modern. One effort alone – handling the transition from dial-up internet service to wireless capability in a setting complicated somewhat by cable oddities in the office – is said to have contributed mightily to the relative sanity of TREIA’s executive director.

For his many hours of knowledgeable assistance and service with a smile, Chuck Wright was recognized as TREIA’s Volunteer of the Year.

Award Inscription:

Volunteer of the Year - 2007

 Chuck Wright 

For generous assistance and service in support of the TREIA office.

INDIVIDUAL MEMBER OF THE YEAR

Leslie Libby

This year’s Individual Member of the Year has been a stalwart in the solar arena in Texas for over 16 years. Her work at Austin Energy has been instrumental in helping the utility set benchmark after benchmark in the renewable energy effort. Besides administering the oldest and largest solar PV incentive program in the state, which she played a lead role in shaping, and steering the Austin Energy Solar for Schools program, she has been significantly responsible for numerous other activities key to the advancement of renewable energy development in Austin which are setting the pace for the state.

In addition to dealing with these programs, two of her accomplishments are of particular note this year.

First - Largely through her initiative and efforts, Austin Energy developed and rolled out the largest Solar Water Heating incentive in Texas - $2,000 per installation on existing buildings and $1,500 per installation on new construction in situations with electric backup.

And second - she was the driving force behind the City of Austin’s recent proposal to the U. S. Dept. of Energy which was successful and resulted in Austin being named an inaugural Solar America City – one of only 13 cities selected nationally. The associated $185,000 grant, which will be matched by Austin Energy, will result in an assessment to establish a baseline of rooftops in its service area suitable for solar energy systems. Under the grant, the utility will also help assess the potential for combining wind and solar installations on the same transmission line in west Texas to deliver that energy to the population centers of Texas, including Austin. Additionally, Austin Energy will provide solar systems to six schools over the next year, bringing to 20 the total number of schools receiving systems through Austin Energy’s Solar for Schools program.

Award Inscription:

Individual Member of the Year - 2007 

Leslie Libby 

In recognition of many years as an innovative and committed champion of solar energy helping Austin Energy become a national leader and Texas’ pacesetting organization in renewable energy development.

The Awards Committee decided to present two Special Recognition Awards this year.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD - #1

CPS Energy
San Antonio, Texas
Accepting for CPS:  Scott Smith, Environmental Director

In 2007, CPS Energy became only the second utility in the state to implement a solar rebate incentive program for its customers. Building on the success of its small-scale interconnection program (25 kW or less) for distributive generation and its other rebates for energy efficiency measures, CPS Energy announced in July an incentive program for customers who use solar energy for their homes and businesses.

CPS Energy’s Solar Initiatives Rebate program offers residential and commercial rebates for the installation of both photovoltaic (PV) systems and solar water heating systems.

The PV systems incentive is $3.00 per AC watt installed. Residential customers who apply are eligible to receive incentives up to 50% of the installed costs of the system with a maximum rebate amount of $10,000. Commercial customers are also eligible for 50% of the costs, but have a maximum rebate amount of $50,000. CPS Energy customers seeking to heat their water using a solar hot water system are eligible to receive rebates ranging from $400 up to $800.

Award Inscription:

Special Recognition Award - 2007 

CPS Energy 

For establishing the Solar Initiatives Rebate Program to encourage the installation of photovoltaic and solar water heating equipment by its residential and commercial customers.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD - #2

Greg Wortham

Greg Wortham is a human dynamo creating a swirl of activity around the exploding wind energy industry in West Texas. Through his individual effort in establishing the non-profit West Texas Wind Energy Consortium in Sweetwater he has provided a focal point in the region for information exchange, industry promotion, advocacy and community relations.

In addition to monthly luncheon meetings with informative speakers, the Consortium holds workshops, produces a newsletter, holds its annual West Texas Wind Energy Trade Fair in Trent, and most recently coordinated the “Ride the Wind” bikeathon winding through the massive wind fields around Sweetwater and benefiting the Children’s Miracle Network.

With Greg there’s never a dull moment. He continues to serve as an outstanding resource and a tireless champion for wind energy development in Texas.

Award Inscription:

Special Recognition Award - 2007

Greg Wortham 

For establishing the West Texas Wind Energy Consortium and for exemplary  efforts as a champion for wind energy development in Texas.

STATE LEADERSHIP AWARD

Rep. Mark Strama

State Representative Mark Strama, of Austin, is TREIA's Legislator of the Year.  By far one of the most effective and public supporters of renewables this past session, Mark comes to his current seat with a broad mix of public and private experience. He began his career in the public sector, working his way to become Chief of Staff to Texas Senator Rodney Ellis. In 1995, Representative Strama left government to become Director of Programs at Rock the Vote, where he helped register more than one million voters.

He then returned to Austin to found the first online voter registration company.  That company, which subsequently sold to Elections.com, helped register over 700,000 voters in the 2000 election cycle. Representative Strama soon turned his attention back to the public sector. He was elected to the Texas House in 2004.

This past legislative session, the Representative authored and helped push through a somewhat obscure, but vitally important, legislative and regulatory issue for the Renewable Industry.  Subsection M was a provision added to the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard in 2005 that was about to end Texas’ highly successful voluntary Renewable Energy Credit system, and greatly disrupt the RPS, which to date had been a nationwide success story. Until Subsection M, Texas had a booming mandatory and voluntary market for renewable energy. The RPS was a floor for development. Subsection M, had it been retained, would have, in effect, made it a ceiling.

TREIA championed the repeal of this subsection, working closely with a coalition of individual private companies, as well as non-profit and environmental entities.  Representative Strama fought tirelessly in Committees, behind closed doors, and ultimately on the floor of the State House to ensure passage of a provision repealing Subsection M.  Almost immediately after its passage and being signed into law by the Governor, Texas Renewable Energy Credit prices began to climb, reflecting the stability and certainty this legislation brought to the market.

Award Inscription:

2007 State Leadership Award 

The Honorable Mark Strama

Texas House of Representatives 

For enlightened and effective leadership during the 80th Texas Legislature in removing significant obstacles to renewable energy development in Texas.

CHARLES H. FREEMAN SERVICE AWARD

The TREIA Board of Directors established this award in memory of the late Charles H. Freeman who passed away in August of 2007. He was President of TREIA until stepping down a few weeks before his death.

The first award was presented to his surviving immediate family – wife Mary Lynn, daughter Laura, and son Brad – and his key associate in his business (Electric Power Engineers, Inc.), Hala Ballouz.

The Board will make the award periodically to a member who has contributed exceptional service and commitment to TREIA helping it accomplish its goals while emphasizing the purposes and benefits of TREIA which Charles Freeman stated he found so valuable:

• opening paths for individuals to pursue work they truly and passionately believe in,
• making lifelong friends with a common purpose,
• creating a vision of a cleaner, safer, more secure, and ultimately sustainable energy industry,
• broadening the horizons of policy makers and the public alike to include the absolute necessity of renewable energy, and
• significantly accelerating the pace of renewable energy adoption.

Excerpts from Charles’ TREIA Board Resignation Letter

“I want to thank TREIA for what you have given me during the last approximately twenty years. TREIA has broadened my horizons immeasurably and has opened paths for me to pursue work that I truly and passionately believe in. TREIA members were the first group of new friends that I had made in many years, and many of my TREIA friendships are some of the best of my lifetime.”

“Since I first attended a TREIA annual meeting in El Paso many years ago, many of the dreams that I heard expressed at that meeting and subsequent meetings have come true, and now renewable energy is being developed all over the world at an accelerating pace. Without the vision of TREIA, the world would have much less time to complete the transition to renewable energy that is an absolute necessity.”

Michael Osborne, Austin Energy (One of two surviving founders of TREIA)

Charles Freeman was not just an electrical power engineer. He was a strong proponent and advocate of clean electrical power. For much of the last 2 decades, he served on the board of directors of the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association, where he served as its president for just short of three terms. He was TREIA’s current president until his resignation just  seven weeks before his passing.

Charles was instrumental in the forming and fashioning of laws and regulations that would ultimately make Texas the leading state for wind power in the nation. Professionally, his firm, Electrical Power Engineers, is one of just a few premier companies that work with Wind Developers and Utility companies to site and plan new projects.

Charles was also a big supporter of solar energy, investing in a new solar technology that may someday be the state of the art for clean, affordable solar energy. He had an all-electric pick up truck which could pull a trailer equipped with a battery charging generator, thus making his Ford one of the first plug in hybrid vehicles in the State.

Charles brought skill, professionalism, and resources to a fledgling industry that needed what he had to offer. He will be missed greatly, but his contributions to a cleaner, better, more secure Texas will live long after our short walks on this earth.

Hala N. Ballouz, P.E., Vice-Pres. and Part Owner, Electric Power Engineers, Inc.

In June 1992, I walked into Electric Power Engineers, Inc. offices to meet its president, Charles Freeman. Little did I know what a lucky moment in my life that would prove to be. Charles was an earnest, good looking man with a friendly smile, and as he shook my hand he politely asked me to sit down. “Do you need an engineer?” I asked. He took a long look at me and said, “Well”… “not really”. Yet, he picked up my CV and looked at it reflectively; then he looked back up at me. Years later I learned to appreciate the great visionary in those brief deep moments of thought.  Charles adopted me, like he did everyone who worked with him, not as an employee, but as a building block of Electric Power Engineers, Inc., and then he set the sky as the limit.  He was a man who could see ahead, years ahead.  

One day in 1994, he came to me with a mission. He said that we would study the transmission grid in Texas to accommodate 3000 MW of renewable energy. It was a crazy idea back then, but Charles was convinced that it made sense; 10 years later, it became a reality. His belief in renewable energy as a technology, his vision of the future, his dedication and dream led Electric Power Engineers, Inc. to become a foundation in this industry. In his memory, and in honor of his work, I can proudly say that what Charles let me build with him will continue.  Electric Power Engineers, Inc. will always serve the renewable energy industry and the utility market, with the same superior consulting services that our faithful clients are used to, which is the only way Charles would want to see it.