Environment Texas
Environment Texas Insider Update
Submitted by Southern Shift on Thu, 2009-11-19 19:26 Authored by Alejandro Savransky, Field Organizer for Environment Texas and Environment Texas Research & Policy Center
Here’s our November Coalition Update. Lots of exciting things have happened!
Go Solar Texas! A new Hope for Solar…
As most of you know, the legislature failed to adopt a statewide solar rebate program earlier this year. However, a new path to solar incentives has opened at the Public Utilities Commission.
On Friday, the PUC unveiled its "strawman" proposal to boost investments in energy efficiency. If adopted, the PUC would more than double the requirement on utilities to invest in energy efficiency, saving consumers $411 million and avoiding the need to produce 535 megawatts of electricity (the equivalent of a large coal-fired power plant).
In addition, the proposed rule says utilities “may” meet 10% of the requirement through investments in solar power or other distributed renewable energy technologies (e.g. small scale wind, geothermal heat pumps, etc). There is clear intent from the Legislature to create a statewide rebate program for solar power, so kudos to the PUC staff for proposing a solar set-aside. If 10% of the program was dedicated to solar, we could develop more than 500 megawatts of rooftop solar by 2015, according to an analysis by Vote Solar.
Now we just have to change that one small word - may - to "shall." No sweat, right? Sadly no. The electric companies don't like that idea and will likely put up a fight. So it's up to Governor Perry and the PUC to show leadership and adopt a strong solar program (you can sign our petition here). And you can read a bit more about this issue on our blog.
Environmental Groups Applaud EPA Choice; New Regional Administrator Could Signal Change in Direction for Polluted State
Submitted by Southern Shift on Fri, 2009-11-06 13:27 Authored by Environment Texas and Public Citizen
DALLAS – Environmental advocates across several states are applauding the Obama Administration’s choice of Dr. Al Armendariz to lead Region 6 of the Environmental Protection Agency, which includes Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Armendariz, an engineering professor at Southern Methodist University, has worked with diverse constituencies ranging from corporations to citizens groups and has published dozens of studies on myriad environmental issues throughout his career. His appointment garnered high praise from the environmental community.
“Our region has typically provided a haven for some of the worst polluters in the country, and has paid a steep price,” said Tom “Smitty” Smith, Texas Director for Public Citizen. “I believe the appointment of Dr. Al Armendariz signifies a new direction for Region 6.”
Support Environment Texas' Campaign to End Martin Lake Power Plant Pollution
Submitted by Southern Shift on Wed, 2009-11-04 12:29 Authored by Luke Metzger, Environment Texas Director
How long are we going to let the 32-year-old Martin Lake power plant in east Texas get away with its pollution?
I'm writing because you can help put this question where decision-makers can't ignore it. Click here to help fund our new media campaign.
In November, we're releasing a hard-hitting study that will cast a harsh spotlight on the Martin Lake plant, including its wildly outsized contribution to global warming. Built before Ronald Reagan became president, the plant hasn't taken action to cut global warming pollution -- ever. Why? It never had to, because for eight years the Bush EPA failed to hold polluters accountable.
Worse, if things don't change, the plant will keep pumping more climate-changing pollution into our skies with no end in sight.
Which is why we want to put the Martin Lake plant's pollution on the evening news and in the morning headlines -- just as the EPA and the U.S. Senate are reaching a decision point on the issue.
A bill in the Senate will promote clean energy, cap carbon pollution and help force coal-fired clunkers like the Martin Lake plant to clean up or make way for cleaner sources of power, like solar and wind. Proposed EPA regulations would have the same effect.
We know that the more people learn about coal-fired clunkers like the Martin Lake power plant, the more they understand why we need to repower Texas with clean energy -- and the more they want to know what we're going to do about it. Help our media team get the word out. Please chip in whatever you can today.
https://www.environmenttexas.org/action/clean-energy/getting-the-truth-out?id4=ES
Together, we can hold one of Texas' worst polluters to account, make a strong case for change, and help President Obama build the new clean energy economy of the future. Thanks for making it all possible.
Sincerely,
Luke Metzger
Environment Texas Director
http://www.environmenttexas.org
Bring More Clean Energy to Texas
Submitted by Southern Shift on Thu, 2009-10-22 22:47 Authored by Luke Metzger, Environment Texas DirectorIn the last few weeks, more than 5,000 of us told our senators that we want to see an America powered by the wind and the sun, with a smaller carbon footprint and less dependence on fossil fuels.
I hope you'll join me in helping us reach our goal of 10,000 e-mails to the Senate in favor of clean energy and stopping global warming. Click here to e-mail Sens. Cornyn and Hutchison.
Right now, the U.S. Senate is considering a bill -- the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act -- that will cut global warming pollution and drive the production of more renewable energy in Texas and across America.
The environmental benefits are clear: Our children will be better protected from global warming. Our air and water will be cleaner, with less pollution from dirty power plants.
But more clean energy also means putting more Texans back to work. For example, improving the energy-efficiency of our homes, businesses and transportation systems would create 1 million new jobs in the United States by 2030 -- including 54,400 jobs here in Texas.
Copenhagen
Submitted by Southern Shift on Wed, 2009-10-14 14:00 Authored by Luke Metzger, Environment Texas Director
On Dec. 7, President Obama is expected to return to Copenhagen -- and the stakes will be a far sight higher than the whereabouts of the 2016 Olympics.
You can help the president strengthen his position before negotiations begin on a new treaty on clean energy and global warming. Click below to send your e-mail to Sens. Cornyn and Hutchison to support the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act:
http://www.environmenttexas.org/action/copenhagen-email?id4=ES
The clock is ticking. In 59 days, we expect President Obama to fly again to Copenhagen. If he fares better this time, America will help speed the transformation to a world powered by clean energy -- the key to meeting the challenge of global warming.
Yet, as we know all too well by now, more than a few powerful people and corporations want the president to fail, including:
- Don Blankenship, the president of Massey Coal, the fourth largest coal company in the country, who urges Americans to "Turn on more lights, burn more coal."[1]
- Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe, the man who has called man-made global warming "probably the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people" and who plans to travel to Copenhagen as "a one-man truth squad." [2]
- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which, flying in the face of a broad scientific consensus, called this summer to put climate science itself on trial -- in what they hoped would be "the Scopes monkey trial of the 21st century." [3] (That's why it's no surprise companies like Exelon and Apple Computer are dropping their Chamber memberships).
