TREIA Launches Grassroots Initiative

85 Percent of Texans Favor Increasing Renewable Energy

AUSTIN, Texas--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--The Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA) announced today a new strategic initiative to increase the awareness of TREIA and renewable energy opportunities in Texas. The newly created initiative called “Friends of TREIA” focuses on engaging Texans in the political process. A newly created website -- www.friendsoftreia.com -- will be the center of the effort.

“TREIA is the representative of Texas’ renewable energy industries throughout the U.S. and the world”

“We want to seize upon the enormous popularity renewable energy has in the state of Texas by creating and mobilizing a network of average citizens and empowering them to become forceful advocates for renewable energy at the local and state level,” said Russel Smith, the executive director of TREIA.

According to a poll commissioned by the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation in April 2009, 85 percent of Texans favored increasing the production and use of renewable energy in Texas, and more than 75 percent think the state should provide “financial incentives, such as loans, subsidies and temporary tax reductions to recruit renewable energy businesses.”

In addition to this expansive grassroots organizing initiative, TREIA has also started a political action committee called the TREIA PAC. The PAC will follow the friendly incumbent rule and assist sitting members of the legislature and other statewide officials who have shown a willingness to support renewable energy in Texas.

“Most trade associations have PACs, and TREIA feels like it needs to support our friends in the Legislature,” said Smith.

TREIA is a statewide nonprofit organization of companies, organizations and individuals involved or interested in solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and hydroelectric energy development, products, and/or related services. Since 1984, it has been a fierce advocate for:

• clean energy,
• energy security,
• energy independence, and
• Texas jobs.

“TREIA is the representative of Texas’ renewable energy industries throughout the U.S. and the world,” says Smith.

For more information please go to www.friendsoftreia.com or www.treia.org.