Nebraska Renewable Energy Association Formed to
Address State's Lag in Renewable Energy Resource
Lincoln, NE -- A press
conference announcing the formation of the Nebraska Renewable
Energy Association (NeREA) has been scheduled for Thursday, July
13, at 1:30 PM in the rotunda of the Nebraska State Capitol.
While Nebraska’s ethanol and bio fuels
industry is having a tremendous impact on Nebraska’s rural economic
base, the state lags in the development of other renewable energy
resources that could help contribute to the state’s economy and
lessen our dependence on imported energy.
In an attempt to address these situations,
the Nebraska Renewable Energy Association (NeREA) was recently
formed to provide information and education on all sources of
potential renewable energy.
According to the organizations new president,
Robert Byrnes of Oakland, Ne, an association of citizens
interested in development of all renewable energies in Nebraska is
clearly needed.
“The goals of the NeREA will address specific
needs for the development of renewable energy within the state,
while maintaining a focus on how the individual can include
renewable energy in their daily lives,” said Byrnes.
He added that, “While much work has already
been done by individuals acting on their own initiative, NeREA will
serve as a primary clearinghouse for the dissemination of this vast
amount of information.”
The NeREA will also be involved in
development of energy demonstration projects across the state that
will be available for interested parties to visit and assess their
potential for application for themselves.
The association currently has access to an
energy demonstration farm in Northeast Nebraska that has been
running on wind and bio diesel for two years.
The NeREA will partner with and compliment
the work of other organizations such as the American Solar Energy
Association, the Nebraska 25 X 25 chapter, the Center for Rural
affairs, and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association.
NeREA will also support and work with those
educational and governmental agencies that are already working in
this field such as the Nebraska Energy Office, the Ethanol Board,
the University of Nebraska and the state colleges.
The association will also support the current
power providers in the state by helping to educate consumers
regarding conservation and renewable energy consumption.
For more information, call Pat Ptacek or
Robert Byrnes at 402-476-6174 or 402-307-0280.
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