Press Release

For Immediate Release
November 16, 2004

For more information, contact
Russel Smith 512-345-5446

AUSTIN— In a "Declaration of Sustainability and Sustainable Energy Bill of Rights," the First Texas Clean Energy Congress called for Texas to create the appropriate policies, programs and business climate to meet the majority of its total energy needs with sustainable energy by the year 2020.

More than 150 people representing more than 50 organizations from across Texas, including environmentalists, consumers, religious communities, governmental organizations, and both renewable and traditional energy industries, gathered in Austin on November 14-16 at the First Texas Clean Energy Congress to call for bold new energy goals for Texas.

Karen Hadden, director of the Sustainable Energy and Economic Development Coalition (SEED), said the Congress’ declaration comes at a time when the Texas Energy Planning Council is expected to issue an energy plan for Texas. "The Council’s mandate was to address renewable energy, but also coal, oil and gas, and liquefied natural gas. We hope they will consider the message of this declaration and issue strong renewable energy goals."

Russel Smith, executive director of the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association, said, "Based on the enthusiasm I saw at this meeting, I believe the organizations here today will bring this Declaration of Sustainability to their members and hopefully to all Texans. We expect that over the next several months many additional local and statewide groups will be adding their voices of support to this forward thinking declaration and its message of hope for Texas."

Rick Walker of Sustainable Energy Strategies in Lake Kiowa, Texas, said, "Our national energy strategy needs direction, and Texas is the natural choice to help define that direction. This Clean Energy Congress was a great step to developing a sustainable energy roadmap for Texas and our nation." Sustainable Energy Strategies provides consulting services to the renewable energy industry.

"Affirming Texas’ capacity to chart a course to a better future is truly good news for people of faith and all Texans," said Bee Moorhead, director of the statewide religious network Texas Impact.

Participants in the Congress agreed to continue working together to build a broad coalition of support for the Declaration and Bill of Rights and to educate the public about the potential for a sustainable energy future for Texas.

The Declaration of Sustainability and Sustainable Energy Bill of Rights is available for endorsement online at http://www.texasimpact.com