TAMIU Gets Energy Conservation Grant

Texas A&M International University has been awarded phase two funding for a community energy conservation education program by the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

The $87,000 grant funds the “Utility Resource Education Network,” a collaboration between TAMIU, the Texas A&M College of Architecture’s Center for Housing and Urban Development (CHUD) Colonias Program and local energy providers.

The Network will be launched at a press conference Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 10:30 a.m. at TAMIU’s Western Hemispheric Trade Center, room 116.

The Network goal is to provide educational and supportive services necessary for the proper use of energy. Its objectives include increasing energy awareness skills and expertise to provide the community with high quality services that will lead to energy conservation among Laredo region contractors and the promotion of increased awareness of current and present practices to reduce and conserve energy resources.

The Network will offer two informational courses at no cost to participants.

One is aimed at residents and will provide various ways to conserve energy and enhance living conditions at a price minimum. It will capitalize on existing CHUD colonias community centers, providing direct access to colonia residents. This course will be held this Spring.

The second course will be directed to local building general contractors, trades people, material suppliers, and builders and will provide information on building energy code requirements and technologies available to meet code. It will focus on helping this group assist colonia residents and ways to assist in financing energy projects for disadvantaged customers.

Last year’s Phase One of the Network offered an innovative series of workshops that included the Texas Residential Code, basic code requirements of air leakage and insulation, building envelopes and HVAC and compliance methods. Over 50 local builders and contractors participated in
Phase One.

TAMIU director for the Network project is Mary Treviño, associate vice president for academic affairs.
For additional information, contact Treviño at 326-2275, visit offices in Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library 328, or e-mail maryt@tamiu.edu

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu