Registration for July 30 event now open

Business owners, Washington experts, and community leaders to lead panel discussions

Topics to include on-site energy generation and maximizing IRA tax incentives to power South Texas fleets and increase the bottom line  

LAREDO, TX – Industry leaders working alongside the Rio Grande International Study Center (RGISC) have opened registration for “Electrifying the Future: Seminar on Solar and Electric Trucks,” a July 30 business seminar designed to educate freight industry leaders, tax specialists, and civic leaders on how new tax credits and federal programs can fund green initiatives to power local fleets, generate local energy, and increase a business owner’s bottom line.

“Electrifying the Future” will take place Tuesday, July 30 at the Falcon Bank Event Center at 10:30am and feature panels led by several business leaders: Mario Palos Jr. (Palos Garza), Roberto Perez  (Forza Transportation Services ), Gonzalo Prida (Prida Multimodal Logistics), and Alvaro Pequeño (PEG Energy). Other panelists include Miguel Treviño (Greenspace E-mobility USA) and Washington D.C. clean transportation experts from Earthjustice and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Roberto Perez, President of FORZA Transportation Services, a presenter for the Electric Trucks panel, expressed a sense of urgency for local businesses to attend and become aware of these newly available funds.

“If businesses delay until everyone shifts to electric, then they’re going to be very late and be forced to operate at a more expensive cost,” Perez said, highlighting the potential disadvantages companies could face if they don't pursue the economic incentives that are becoming available.

Perez continued: “At this event, we’ll discuss the benefits and incentives that make it possible to join this first wave of electrification and secure federal funding that incentivizes innovative business decisions.”

This event will feature an introductory presentation by U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar on this momentous federal legislation and funding opportunity, not seen since the New Deal in the 1930s. U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. had this to say, “Last year, I voted for the IRA to make energy funding and consumer tax incentives more available for South Texans. We’re seeing the results of that today.”

Joseph Mendiola of the Laredo Economic Development Corp., who has assisted in organizing the event, commented further.

“Laredo is the No. 1 inland port in the United States, so diving deeper into these federal programs and available opportunities can help us modernize our industry and bolster Laredo's legacy as a leader in trade,” Mendiola said.

RGISC Executive Director Tricia Cortez, agreed. “This is the moment to increase awareness and showcase successful case studies from Laredo business owners who are taking advantage of these extraordinary federal funds from the Inflation Reduction Act,” Cortez said. “This is a once-in-a-generation funding moment that will help local businesses innovate and become competitive in fast-growing clean transportation and clean energy markets.”

The event will feature two panels, each focused on electrification benefits for Class 8 commercial vehicles and solar rooftop solutions for warehouses and industrial facilities, respectively., Technical experts from D.C. will discuss new federal rules affecting heavy-duty vehicles for model years starting in 2027, and explain how companies, local government, and nonprofits can qualify for this funding.

Allison Guzman, Justice 40 Program Manager at RGISC, further elaborated,“This initiative allocates 40% of the benefits from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to disadvantaged communities that have been historically underinvestment and are overburdened by pollution. This could be huge for Laredo, the surrounding community, and the South Texas economy.”

Register today for “Electrify the Future: Seminar on Electric Trucks and Solar!” 

For more information about this event, contact Allison Guzman, Justice 40 Program Manager for RGISC, at allison@rgisc.org or (956)718-1063.