The system is expected to be a showcase for solar energy potential, saving local taxpayer dollars while operating a more eco-friendly and sustainable water treatment facility.
"This project just makes sense," Patterson said. "If it works out well, I see a day when many other cities will seek to replicate this idea."
The effort is a project of the Texas General Land Office's Sustainable Energy Project, and will be funded with a federal grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. The project is expected to cost about $325,000, and should be completed in early 2006. The EPA must now approve the site and project plan before any work begins.
The city's soon-to-be-built micro-filtration water treatment plant with a capacity to treat 6 million gallons per day will be built on 27 acres of land adjacent to the Industrial Park on Turner Street. San Benito is just south of Harlingen.
"As city leaders, we are excited to be involved with such a progressive and forward-thinking system," said San Benito Mayor Cesar Gonzalez. "It seems appropriate that in upgrading our water treatment plant in sunny South Texas, that we are looking at a solar-powered water treatment project. It seems like a natural fit, and we are optimistic that this will be beneficial to our community and serve as a basis for other such projects locally and throughout the country."
The North American Development Bank, which finances water and wastewater projects in the border region of the United States and Mexico, will be tracking the project to determine if similar sustainable energy systems may be practical in other communities.
"We are pleased to have assisted in identifying San Benito as the project site," said Jorge C. Garcias, Deputy Managing Director of the North American Development Bank. "We hope that success in this project will demonstrate that solar power is a suitable option for water and wastewater projects that further enhances their financial and environmental sustainability."
A solar-power system costing $300,000 to $350,000 could provide up to 20 percent of the power for a water treatment plant serving a city of 25,000.
"This demonstration could prove that solar power is a cost-effective way to power public infrastructure projects," Patterson said. "It could improve sanitation in the border region without the pollution associated with conventional power sources."
The EPA chose the GLO for the grant because of the agency's expertise in border energy issues. The GLO has been the lead agency for the annual Border Energy Forum since the first was held in 1994.
The development of sustainable energy sources in Texas is a major focus for Patterson, who believes that Texas has a vast and largely untapped wealth of sustainable resources.
Texas, home to the world's first oil gusher at Spindletop, has the potential for another energy revolution with the development of wind power, solar energy, biomass and other forms of clean energy. A key factor in Patterson's focus on sustainable energy on state lands is economic: The state's Permanent School Fund stands to reap millions of dollars from the development of sustainable energy resources on state lands.
"Oil and gas have put more than $9 billion into the school children's savings account, but looking ahead to the future, we can't rely on oil and gas forever," Patterson said. "It's imperative we work to diversify our income stream for the state's Permanent School Fund."