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Environment Texas Blog

Check out our blog for the latest in the fight to protect Texas’ environment.

Organizations across the state rally together to change TCEQ

By luke - 2010-06-16 When the Texas Legislature created the Sunset Advisory Commission in 1977 it was to "to identify and eliminate waste, duplication, and inefficiency in government agencies." Every Texas government agency must go through this process (usually once every 12 years, but some major agencies get reviewed more regularly) and the result is often reforms to improve the efficiency and efficacy of the agency.

Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Save our Springs Uprising

By luke - 2010-06-10 Twenty years ago this week, a monumental victory was made when over 1000 citizens rallied together in opposition of Austin city council’s plans to approve a 4,000-acre development on Barton Creek. The developer, Freeport McMoRan, was widely known as to be a “global mining company that was the single largest discharger of toxic pollutants into the waters of the United States.”

EPA takes action to enforce Clean Air Act in Texas

By luke - 2010-06-09 A battle for clean air has begun in Texas. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has decided to step up and take action against Texas polluters exceeding national limits. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), who is in charge of regulating pollution limits and issuing permits, has been knowingly violating the Clean Air Act for years and the EPA has had enough.

New Solar Learning Center at LBJ High School

By luke - 2010-05-18 AUSTIN- At LBJ High School, students’ futures are looking even sunnier. Friday witnessed the unveiling of LBJ’s Solar Learning Center, one of 21 such facilities that have been or are being built at Austin-area schools. Though rain clouds loomed overhead, spirits were high in the gymnasium at the press conference called to announce the opening of the facility. The new solar panels and generators will not only provide valuable experiences for students, they will save enough electricity to power 11 Austin-area homes.

Testimony of Environment Texas Director Luke Metzger to the Joint Hearing of the House Energy Resources and State Affairs Committees

By luke - 2010-04-29 I am excited to speak to you today about the potential for Texas to be a national leader in solar power. Solar energy makes a lot of sense for Texas. Solar can provide dependable summer peak capacity; reduce the run-time of existing high-polluting peaker plants; help to relieve overloads on transmission and distribution (T&D) system, while reducing the need for costly T&D expansion; and act as a hedge against price fluctuations of electricity and natural gas. By co-locating utility-scale solar facilities underneath wind farms, we can double the return on our investment in the CREZ lines. And with federal regulations on carbon coming, solar will help us better diversify our electricity portfolio.

New Podcast: An Interview with Farouk Shami, Candidate for the Democratic Nomination for Governor

By Jmccall - 2010-02-04 Clean Energy Advocate McCall Johnson interviews businessman Farouk Shami, candidate for the Democratic nomination for Governor. Listen to the podcast: http://www.vimeo.com/9183403 We discuss his desire to beautify Texas, his line of environmentally sensitive haircare products and his plan to convert the Governor’s mansion in to a solar powered orphanage.

New Podcast: Interview with Bill White, gubernatorial candidate and former Houston Mayor

By luke - 2010-02-08 In this episode, we visit with former Houston Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Bill White. Mayor White discusses his plans to promote solar power, expanding transportation options for Texas, and his thoughts on Governor Perry.

It's official! There's a new sheriff in town.

By gwitthuhn - 2010-02-04 The EPA's new region 6 administrator, Al Armendariz, was sworn in this week. With Al at the reins, things are looking up for Texas.

Have a GREEN Christmas!

By alejandro - 2009-12-21 Be Green for the Holidays! Want to save money and help the environment this winter? Here are some ideas for “greening” your holiday. Written by Savanah Ritter, Rice University student and Environment Texas Houston intern.

House Interim Charges Out - some good news for environment

By luke - 2009-11-20 Yesterday, House Speaker Joe Straus released the "interim charges" for the House of Representatives. These are directives to the House committees to study various issues and make recommendations in preparation for the next session (which starts in January 2011). Notably, the House State Affairs committee (considered one of the most important committees in the legislature) will devote 75% of its time looking an energy and environmental issues (the other 25% will look at undocumented immigrants).

New hope for solar at PUC?

By luke - 2009-11-18 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. That would propel Texas to be one of the top states in the country for solar (currently we're tied with Wisconsin for a pathetic 9th place in solar). It would also meet or even exceed the solar goals laid out in SB 545, the main solar bill of last session which died in the waning hours of the session. This kind of investment in solar would mean cleaner air and help attract solar companies to the state - companies like SunTech, which announced this week that they're building their new manufacturing facility in Arizona instead of Texas, due to the Lone Star State's lack of support for our lone star the sun.

Crude, the Film, Exposes the Real Price of Oil

By alejandro - 2009-11-17 Joe Berlinger’s new documentary Crude follows the so-called “David and Goliath” case in which a group of Ecuadoreans, mainly Cofan natives, filed a class-action lawsuit against Texaco (which has since merged with Chevron) for its contamination of the region through poor production methods.

New podcast: An interview with Jerry Patterson, Texas Land Commissioner

By luke - 2009-10-26 In this episode, we visit with Jerry Patterson, who was elected the Texas Land Commissioner in 2002 and re-elected in 2006. We discuss Gulf Coast restoration, the Christmas Mountains, and why he carries a gun.

New podcast: Interview with Babe Schwartz on Open Beaches Act

By luke - 2009-10-27 Texans currently have an opportunity to vote on Proposition 9, a proposed constitutional amendment to establish the public's unrestricted right to access beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. Early voting continues until Friday; election day is on Tuesday, November 3. In today’s podcast, we visit with former Senator A.R. "Babe" Schwartz who, in 1959, worked with Senator Bob Eckhardt to help pass the Open Beaches Act. Senator Schwartz spent over 20 years in the legislature, and is currently an attorney, consultant and professor of Coastal Law at the University of Texas. He has won numerous awards for his advocacy to protect Texas’ Coast.

Texas fares poorly on public transportation spending

By luke - 2009-10-21 Perhaps its no surprise, but Texas comes in a lousy 34th place for per capita spending on public transportation, according to a new report by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (see our press release here). The report finds that the state of Texas spent a chintzy $1.23 per Texan on public transportation in FY 2006 (compared to #1 Massachusetts, which spent $189 per person - money well spent, if you've ever ridden the 'T")

Threats to Water from Gas Drilling

By luke - 2009-09-29 The big boom in gas drilling in the Fort Worth area in the "Barnett Shale" comes with some very serious environmental problems. One of them is an oil and gas technique called hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic fracturing involves the injection of fluids into oil or gas wells at very high pressure in order to crack open the underground formation and allow oil or gas to flow out more easily. These fluids often contain toxic chemicals. Environment Texas recently joined with 160 groups from around the nation calling on Congress to help protect our drinking water by better regulating this practice.

What if Jesus Were PUC Commissioner And Other Thoughts from Barry Smitherman

By luke - 2009-09-28 In this podcast, we speak with Barry Smitherman, Chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas. Chairman Smitherman was appointed to the PUC by Governor Perry in 2004. In the interview, Environment Texas' McCall Johnson speaks to him about the growth of wind power in Texas, his opposition to the federal climate bill and how Jesus would run the PUC.

New web video: "The Toll of Coal"

By luke - 2009-09-11 Local artists/activists Melissa Reese and Danny Deloach put together this great video detailing the serious harm caused by the Fayette coal-fired power plant, co-owned by Austin Energy and LCRA. Watch the video, then sign our petition to Austin City Council asking them to shut down or sell Austin's stake in the plant.

New podcast: An Interview with Senator Kirk Watson

By luke - 2009-09-03 This week's podcast features an interview with state Sen. Kirk Watson of Austin. Sen. Watson is the Senate's strongest advocate for renewable energy and earned a 100% rating from Environment Texas for his votes in the 2009 legislative session.

Austin's Dirty Little Secret

By luke - 2009-09-01 - 1 Replies Today, Environment Texas Director Luke Metzger joined with other environmental and public health leaders to call on the city of Austin to "quit coal" and invest in wind and solar power instead. Here is the statement he delivered at the City Hall press conference.

Environment Texas Launches Podcast

By luke - 2009-07-20 AUSTIN – Today, Environment Texas launched a new podcast series, “A Minute for the Environment”, that will explore the hot environmental issues facing Texas by speaking with the people directly influencing policy in the state. The series will interview a diverse group of leading minds impacting the future of Texas’ environment, from politicians and corporate executives to groundbreaking scientists and environmental activists.

One of the worst droughts in history

By luke - 2009-07-27 - 1 Replies You already know -- it's hot and dry outside. It's so dry that central Texas is suffering from one of the worst droughts in history. Water levels at Lake Travis and spring flows to Barton Springs have fallen to alarming levels. And swimming in the greenbelt hasn't been possible in a really long time -- my toddler has yet to experience the joy of Campbell's Hole or Twin Falls on Barton Creek.

Volunteer with Environment Texas

By luke - 2009-07-13 Environment Texas needs your help. We've got just a small staff to take on the whole state of Texas and need the assistance of volunteers. Here are some of the ways you could help: * Set up an information table at farmers markets or other events * Help around the office with data entry, filing, etc. * Help with graphic design, writing or editing * Research * Outreach to community groups * Help produce our new podcast * Web development * Event planning

Why Environment Texas Supports the Waxman-Markey Climate Bill

By luke - 2009-07-08 "'There's a point in time where hope and history rhyme.' I think we have now reached that [point] on the issue of energy and global warming." [1] -- Congressman Ed Markey, quoting the poet Seamus Heaney, upon passage of the Waxman-Markey bill 11 days ago If you're like many of our members, you're probably wondering if Congressman Ed Markey is right. Does the American Clean Energy and Security Act, sponsored by Reps. Henry Waxman and Ed Markey, deliver the transformative change that President Obama promised during the election?

Obama Adopts Major Energy Efficiency Rule , Eliminating Need for 14 Coal-fired Power Plants

By luke - 2009-07-07 Last week, President Obama and Energy Secretary Chu announced "major changes to energy conservation standards for numerous household and commercial lamps and lighting equipment". The President stated, "Now, I know light bulbs may not seem sexy, but this simple action holds enormous promise because 7 percent of all the energy consumed in America is used to light our homes and our businesses."

Environment Texas' Ayleen Perez Marty visits Washington, D.C.

By heather - 2009-06-16 Environment Texas' Ayleen Perez Marty is in Washington, D.C., this week to visit with the Texas Congressional delegation in support of the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

The Perfect Pork Chop Vs. New Strains of E Coli

By luke - 2009-06-12 This morning on Morning Edition, NPR Host Steve Inskeep interviewed Michael Pollan, author of the Omnivore's Dilemma, and Robert Kenner, director of Food, Inc., a new film which "lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that's been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government's regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA". Your can listen to the NPR interview here.

Texas Parks and the 81st Legislature

By luke - 2009-06-03 An update on how Texas parks fared in the 81st Legislature from George L. Bristol, President of the Texas Coalition for Conservation: The 81st session of the Texas Legislature is over. While there may be a special session, parks and conservation issues will not be on the agenda as all the major bills affecting them passed.

Overview of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454)

By luke - 2009-05-19 On May 15, 2009, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman and Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey introduced the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454), comprehensive energy legislation. This document summarizes key parts of the bill, including energy efficiency standards, the renewable electricity standard, global warming pollution reduction requirements, and the distribution and use of pollution allowances under the bill.

Vote Count on SB 541

By luke - 2009-05-20 The House State Affairs committee approved SB 541 today on a vote of 9-5. SB 541 (Kirk Watson) requires the development of 1500 megawatts of solar, geothermal and biomass by 2020. Rep. David Farabee is carrying the bill on the House. Here's how the vote broke down:

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