Jun 10 - Valley Morning Star (Harlingen, Texas)

The timing is right for alternative forms of energy, such as ethanol fuel and wind power, to come to the Rio Grande Valley, officials from advocacy groups and the state said Friday.

At a conference sponsored by the Rural Alliance for Renewable Energy, representatives from alternative fuel companies, coalitions and the Office of Rural Community Affairs presented ideas on expanding renewable energies to Texas. They also offered tips for local developers and city officials using wind, solar energy and other alternative fuels to help provide power to communities.

"There are many unique renewable energy resources (in the Valley)," said Travis Brown, renewable energy and community development specialist for the Office of Rural Community Affairs. "We were trying to cover the whole state with these forums, and we felt it was a good time to come here."

Officials talked about the potential of using sugar cane to produce ethanol, an alternative to gasoline. Moving into ethanol production could be a "shot in the arm" for the Valley's sugar-cane growers, Brown said.

The ethanol industry is growing, with 97 plants in the U.S. and more under construction, Curtis Donaldson of the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, said. One is under construction in the Texas Panhandle.

More plants need to be built in Texas to make it less costly for the state's consumers, he said.

Some Texas retailers, including H-E-B, have committed to offering E85, an ethanol and gasoline combination, at their gas stations. Eventually, some Valley gas stations will offer the product, Donaldson said.

Donaldson said that in some cases, E85 costs consumers about 30 cents less than regular gasoline.

Some officials talked about alternative-energy projects already planned for the Valley.

At the conference, San Benito community affairs director Martha McClain presented the city's plans for a solar energy pilot project. The proposed solar panels would provide power to the city's water plant, which currently is undergoing major renovations.

San Benito received a $350,000 grant from the General Land Office for the pilot project, which will be operational in 2008.

"We know we need to do this today so we can help our families and the Valley grow into the future," McClain said.

Officials also discussed the planned wind farms at Kenedy Ranch and Padre Island. The proposed wind farm on Padre Island would be the largest offshore wind plant in the nation. Environmentalists have expressed some concern about the projects' impact on migrating birds.

Despite some worries, environmentalists who attended said they were heartened to see the Valley's interest in alternative energy.

"I think it's exciting," said Karen Chapman, water and wildlife analyst for Environmental Defense. "Encouraging the use of renewables is a good way to go."

The conference concludes today.

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Copyright (c) 2006, Valley Morning Star, Harlingen, Texas

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