PEC gets award for renewable energy
PEC received the award Nov. 11 at TREIA’s Texas Renewables ’08 Conference in Austin.
“We’re honored to receive a Special Recognition Award,” said PEC General Manager Juan Garza. “Our board’s renewable energy goal represents a significant philosophical shift in direction for this cooperative, but PEC staff is definitely aligned with this resolution.”
He added: “We appreciate TREIA’s recognition of our initiative, and in pursuing this goal, we will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and be ahead of the curve for increased environmental legislation.”
Garza, PEC member Ric Sternberg and PEC District 7 Director Dr. Patrick Cox also received individual awards from TREIA for bringing the renewable energy goal before the board.
“I appreciate this award as recognition of the efforts of everyone associated with PEC who is working to advance our mission,” Cox said later. “More than 70 years ago, electric cooperatives energized rural America, giving small communities a way to gain energy independence. PEC led the way in bringing energy to Central Texas. Today, as the largest electric cooperative in the nation, PEC will become a national leader in conservation and renewable energy.”
TREIA is a statewide nonprofit organization of industries and individuals involved in solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and hydroelectric energy products and/or services. The organization has been a resolute advocate for clean energy, energy security, energy independence and Texas jobs since 1984, officials said.
“Pedernales Electric Cooperative is the nation’s largest electric co-op,” said TREIA President Bob Webb. “Thus, their decision is even more significant. It challenges co-ops across the country by its example.”
PEC’s board of directors voted unanimously at an Oct. 20 meeting in Kyle to “establish a goal to purchase or generate up to 30 percent of its electricity from renewable energy by the year 2020.”
“I believe it is imperative for PEC to be the standard-bearer in setting a progressive, renewable-energy goal,” said Cox. “As a substantial purchaser and distributor of electric power, it is crucial for us to consider how electricity generation affects our environment and where we’ll get our power from in the future.”