Download a PDF copy of the presentation slides here.
Read TREIA's June 2011 Special Legislative wrap-up newsletter, with more information and links to the full-text bills and laws that are discussed in this webinar.
Russel Smith is the co-founder and executive director of Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA).
This webinar will review the 2011 Texas Legislative Session and its impact on the solar market. TREIA’s 13 legislative objectives and outcomes will be discussed including statewide solar incentives tiered for residential, commercial and utility-scale projects as well as the Natural Gas & Renewables bill. Additionally, defeated legislation, such as Chapter 313 of the Tax Code, which could have had harmful effects on the solar industry, will also be discussed.
A LIVE question-and-answer segment will follow, allowing participants to submit questions through a built-in text chat.
Please register above to view this Webinar.
Russel Smith has 33 years experience in the renewable energy industry promoting renewable energy issues in Texas. Smith helped found the educational non-profit Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES) in 1976 and became Executive Director of TXSES in 1978, a position he held until 1992. Smith co-founded the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA) trade association in 1984 and has served as its Executive Director from 1986 to present. His experience includes; working with governmental, educational and non-profit boards, and serving on state committees and task forces promoting the development of Texas’ solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and hydrokinetic resources. Smith is a registered lobbyist on behalf of Renewable Energy Industry initiatives in Texas.
Smith was the recipient of the American Solar Energy Society’s first National Achievement Award – Chapter Level in 1994. He chaired the Texas Energy Education Development Project for high school students for fifteen years. He has organized numerous renewable energy events including statewide, regional, and national conferences, trade shows, forums, and workshops. He has participated in several State energy planning processes, policy development summits, and initiatives. Smith also formed the Rural Alliance for Renewable Energy (RARE), a collaboration of state agencies, educational institutions, non-profit associations and industry representatives which is now a program of the Texas Department of Rural Affairs, and founded and co-organized the Renewable Energy Roundup & Green Living Fair.
Mr. Smith holds both a Bachelors and a Masters of Science in Education degree in Political Science from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University).
