Texas A&M International University officials expressed gratitude and excitement for being awarded a $500,000 earmark from the federal government through the work of Congressman Henry Cuellar. TAMIU, in cooperation with the Texas Engineering Experiment Station, proposed an Energy-Efficient Green Campus Research Initiative at Texas A&M International University comprised of three elements:

1) Fully develop and implement a Green Campus strategy for greater energy and resource efficiency
2) Obtain LEED® certification from the US Green Building Council for the new Student Success Center as a highly visible cornerstone for this new initiative; and
3) Design and develop a “plug and play,” test-bed feature within the new Student Success Center mechanical and control systems to facilitate future research on high-efficient building systems and renewable technologies

TAMIU is a modern, 300-acre campus near the US-Mexico border, situated in a very sensitive ecological area.  TAMIU is experiencing explosive student and population growth fueled by the NAFTA trade agreement that presents many challenges as well as opportunities.  It is faced with very high energy costs that have increased by almost 50% the last two years which eat away at teaching funds. It is imperative the University find the resources needed to improve what they have and strive to meet the challenges of the future. 

“The world has a fixed amount of natural resources – some of which are already depleted,” said Congressman Cuellar. “So as population growth greatly strains our finite resources, there are fewer resources available. If we intend to leave our children and grandchildren with the same standard of living we have enjoyed, we must preserve the foundation of that standard of living.”
 
“Today, I’m happy to report that Texas A&M International University is taking the first step in doing just that,” Cuellar continued.

This initiative will provide TAMIU critical resources to undertake a path to a more cost-effective, environmental friendly future.  It will mitigate the impact on student fees by lowering their energy cost in existing and new facilities through more efficient design, operations, controls optimization, use of renewable resources, and lower water use. 

It will also serve as a model for local governments, school districts, and businesses in the Valley.  TAMIU is the ideal facility in Texas to undertake this initiative and to succeed because of its relatively small size, modern design, and visionary leadership of its President, Dr. Ray Keck, III, administration, and faculty. This project will have significant impact on the University, local community, and the Texas A&M University multi-campus system, as well as international impact due to its proximity to Mexico.

This project is an ideal opportunity for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE/RE) division to partner with a visionary university to begin their conversion to a totally green, energy-efficient campus (the first 100 % green campus in Texas), at relatively low-cost, due to its size and modern infrastructure. 

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Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the House Homeland Security, Small Business, and Agriculture Committees in the 110th Congress; accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Senior Whip.