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Contact: Jason Marton
jason.marton@tamuk.edu or 361-593-4143

Emerging technologies for the environment
subject of conference at South Padre Island October 19-21

KINGSVILLE (September 12, 2005) — The subject of emerging technologies has garnered much attention in the Rio Grande Valley and other parts of the state after the Legislature designated the $200 million Emerging Technology Fund earlier this year. This and other environmental topics will be at the heart of the conference Emerging Technologies for a Sustainable Environment, to be held Wednesday through Friday, Oct. 19-21, at the Sheraton Hotel at South Padre Island.

The Center for Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) – Research on Environmental Sustainability of Semi-Arid Coastal Areas (CREST-RESSACA) at Texas A&M University-Kingsville serves as organizer and co-sponsor of the conference. Other conference sponsors include Texas A&M-Kingsville, the university’s South Texas Environmental Institute, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Insituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Other sponsors include two groups of specific importance to the Rio Grande Valley – the Arroyo Colorado Watershed Partnership and t he Lower Rio Grande Valley – Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (LRGV-TPDES) Task Force. The Arroyo Colorado Watershed Partnership is composed of over 340 individuals from federal and state agencies, local governments and public utilities, local non-governmental organizations, agriculture, and private citizens who have come together for the purpose of drafting a watershed protection plan to mprove the quality of water in the Arroyo Colorado. The LRGV-TPDES Task Force is comprised of 17 Valley cities, with its purpose being to address the TPDES regulations as a united regional effort. Formed in 2003, the group has provided workshops, training, conferences and a forum for discussion.

The conference will address new and emerging technologies for maintaining the environment. It also will introduce current issues related to TPDES storm water regulations; non-point source pollution sources, the Arroyo Colorado watershed protection plan, renewable energy & sustainable technologies; sensors; environmental biotechnologies; water purification technologies; and sustainable manufacturing.

The conference seeks to provide an opportunity for an exchange of ideas among representatives from academia, environmental groups, research communities, and local, state, federal and international agencies. Students are highly encouraged to participate.

Registration for the conference is $100. Pre-registration runs until Thursday, September 15, and is encouraged to help the conference committee ensure that adequate seating and food are available.

Conference registration and more information are available at http://crest.tamuk.edu/. For additional questions or information, contact conference representatives Rose Rodriguez at 361-593-5556 or crestconf@even.tamuk.edu; or Javier Guerrero at 956-289-0214 or jguerrero@even.tamuk.edu.

This page last updated 13 September, 2005