HOUSTON – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is pleased to welcome the Texas Association of Manufacturers as its newest affiliate member.

The Texas Association of Manufacturers (TAM) represents over 450 large and small companies from every manufacturing sector, employing more than 894,000 Texans with an average compensation of $79,350 a year (the highest in the private sector). Texas manufacturers contributed $211 billion to the Texas economy in 2012 and one-third of all corporate taxes collected by state and local governments. Manufactured goods account for 94.6 percent of all Texas exports and Texas has held the distinction as the #1 exporting state in the U.S. for several consecutive years.

“Energy is the lifeblood of all Texas commerce. All facets of the Texas economy are undeniably affected by high energy costs, none perhaps so critically as manufacturers and the 894,000 Texans they employ,” said Tony Bennett, President of TAM. “Energy costs and reliability directly impact the ability of our state to prosper, grow jobs and compete in the global marketplace, so we welcome CEA’s dedication and focus keeping electricity affordable and reliable for all Texans.”

“We’re looking forward to working with the Texas Association of Manufacturers to defend and expand Texas’ competitive edge in attracting manufacturers and moving more jobs here,” said CEA-Texas Executive Director Marty Allday. “Manufacturers create high quality jobs in Texas and CEA-Texas is working to reinvigorate consumer pride in the state’s energy abundance as a principle consideration in manufacturers’ decisions to invest and create jobs here.”

For more information on Texas Association of Manufacturers, follow TAM on Facebook, Twitter and online.

For more information on Consumer Energy Alliance, please visit ConsumerEnergyAlliance.org or contact Amelie Hereford at (713) 337-8833, ahereford@consmerenergyalliance.org.