Draft of press release from City of Sugar Land, which was never released:

Nov. 7, 2006

City of Sugar Land looks to future for Texas Energy Center’s continued success

In 2003, when the City of Sugar Land was approached to provide funding for the creation of the Texas Energy Center, the objective was to secure funding to attract energy related companies to Sugar Land, including the headquarters of Research Partnership for Securing Energy for America (RPSEA) and support RPSEA’s bid to compete for the anticipated grant program funding from the proposed federal energy bill. Last year, RPSEA, with its headquarters in Sugar Land, successfully competed to be selected as the managing agent for the federal energy program. Additionally, the Texas Energy Center received an additional $2 million of funding from the State of Texas.

With our original objective achieved and the future of the TEC and RPSEA in mind, the City of Sugar Land sees the need for private sector board representation and for the City of Sugar Land to separate from the TEC so that it may continue to evolve and meet the needs of RPSEA and the energy industry. In order to create the greatest opportunity for change, the City has withdrawn from the board of directors and participation in the Texas Energy Center. We believe this is the appropriate time for the change and will not only provide for the continued growth of the TEC, but will also allow the City to focus its attention on other priorities and opportunities.

Editor’s Note: As noted in the accompanying story, the City of Sugar Land delivered a letter of resignation to the TEC on Nov. 16, then withdrew that resignation on Nov. 30.