http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/-its-time-for-clean-energy-on-steroids http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/-its-time-for-clean-energy-on-steroids Sun, 04 Jan 2009 22:09:14 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/-session-may-be-tinted-green http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/-session-may-be-tinted-green Sun, 04 Jan 2009 22:07:38 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/electricity-study-embraces-energy-efficiency-for-state By TOM FOWLER HOUSTON CHRONICLE http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/electricity-study-embraces-energy-efficiency-for-state Sun, 04 Jan 2009 22:48:04 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/clean-energy-can-revive-state-economy Our economy is struggling and high energy prices are only making things worse. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/clean-energy-can-revive-state-economy Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:29:46 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/dear-senate-candidates-huffman-and-bell-its-time-to-renew-texas Last week's announcement of a new plan to revitalize http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/dear-senate-candidates-huffman-and-bell-its-time-to-renew-texas Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:22:08 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/state-economy-faces-mounting-challenges by Mark Lavergne/LSR http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/state-economy-faces-mounting-challenges Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:49:38 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/environmental-groups-plan-could-give-economy-a-surge An environmental advocacy group has detailed a plan to revitalize the http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/environmental-groups-plan-could-give-economy-a-surge Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:44:10 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/going-green http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/going-green Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:04:52 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/3rd-annual-energy-efficiency-expo-in-brownsville http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/3rd-annual-energy-efficiency-expo-in-brownsville Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:41:56 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/texans-paint-sunny-picture-for-clean-energy A week after governor lambasted carbon caps, venture capitalists, policymakers talk about economic opportunities. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/texans-paint-sunny-picture-for-clean-energy Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:24:18 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/wacos-state-senator-vows-to-push-green-energy-in-event-with-environmental-group http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/wacos-state-senator-vows-to-push-green-energy-in-event-with-environmental-group Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:37:38 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/new-push-for-new-energy-plan Watch Video http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/new-push-for-new-energy-plan Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:39:55 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/group-solar-energys-future-bright City, state urged to focus on renewable power resources http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/group-solar-energys-future-bright Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:14:42 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/environment-texas-comes-to-the-falls A Texas coalition says the energy can help the economy and the state can benefit the environment at the same time. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/environment-texas-comes-to-the-falls Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:19:55 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/jasons-deli-goes-green-co-founder-urges-other-to-follow Rusty Coco is passionate about solar power. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/jasons-deli-goes-green-co-founder-urges-other-to-follow Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:26:22 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/group-wants-to-bring-solar-energy-to-port-arthur By David Ball http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/group-wants-to-bring-solar-energy-to-port-arthur Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:37:02 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/solving-texas-energy-problems Solving Texas' Energy Problems December 2, 2008 by: Bill Stamps During http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/solving-texas-energy-problems Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:08:59 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/earth-friendly-and-eco-friendly-all-at-once Environmentalists pushing solar and renewable energy plan for Texas. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/earth-friendly-and-eco-friendly-all-at-once Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:11:33 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/repower-texas-energy-efficency Environment Texas is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/repower-texas-energy-efficency Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:16:32 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/renew-texas-wants-to-harness-texas-natural-power http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/renew-texas-wants-to-harness-texas-natural-power Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:21:58 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/special-interest-group-visits-beaumont-to-promote-solar-power-usage Area restaurant among the first to use solar power http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/special-interest-group-visits-beaumont-to-promote-solar-power-usage Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:30:11 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/some-lawmakers-want-to-give-incentives-for-making-homes-green AUSTIN -- Going green is becoming big business and http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/some-lawmakers-want-to-give-incentives-for-making-homes-green Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:33:06 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/local-conference-to-focus-on-alternative-energy-development By David Ball The Port Arthur News PORT ARTHUR http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/local-conference-to-focus-on-alternative-energy-development Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:42:31 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/promoting-solar-power-program-to-offer-rebates http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/promoting-solar-power-program-to-offer-rebates Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:13:43 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/city-council-greenlights-energy-audits http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/city-council-greenlights-energy-audits Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:18:17 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/occult-energy-futures http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/occult-energy-futures Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:11:25 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/pickens-to-speak-at-ut Former wildcatter pushes his energy plan. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/pickens-to-speak-at-ut Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:20:02 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/city-homeowners-would-pay-now-save-later-with-energy-ordinance By STEVE ALBERTS KVUE News http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/city-homeowners-would-pay-now-save-later-with-energy-ordinance Tue, 23 Sep 2008 09:37:09 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/task-force-to-mandate-energy-audits-for-all-austin-homes-and-businesses Austin residents are poised to receive statements on how efficiently http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/task-force-to-mandate-energy-audits-for-all-austin-homes-and-businesses Tue, 23 Sep 2008 09:38:53 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/environmentalists-energy-audits-arent-enough http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/environmentalists-energy-audits-arent-enough Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:54:02 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/some-question-biomass-plant-plans City officials are holding a public meeting August 13 to talk about a proposed $2.3 billion power plant, fueled with wood waste. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/some-question-biomass-plant-plans Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:00:02 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/noriega-on-energy-___-looks-familiar BY LEE NICHOLS http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/noriega-on-energy-___-looks-familiar Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:24:52 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/austin-energy-plans-2_3-billion-biomass-plant Plant will push utility closer to goal of using 30 percent renewable fuels by 2020. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/austin-energy-plans-2_3-billion-biomass-plant Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:48:09 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/public-utility-commission-mulling-transmission-proposals Some firms back the most ambitious expansion plan while CPS Energy backs a more modest one. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/public-utility-commission-mulling-transmission-proposals Sun, 06 Jul 2008 07:46:17 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/texas-should-be-a-solar-power-leader Recently, the http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/texas-should-be-a-solar-power-leader Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:58:11 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/give-candidates-cues-on-clean-energy-texas AUSTIN — When the 44th http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/give-candidates-cues-on-clean-energy-texas Thu, 28 Feb 2008 08:09:34 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/candidates-need-to-spend-energy-talking-about-energy AUSTIN - When the 44th president of the United States http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/candidates-need-to-spend-energy-talking-about-energy Wed, 27 Feb 2008 14:20:15 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/theres-a-golden-opportunity-to-go-green With the first meaningful improvement in gas mileage standards in a http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/theres-a-golden-opportunity-to-go-green Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:44:09 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/debate-begins-over-environment It’s too dangerous and requires too much http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/debate-begins-over-environment Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:45:45 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/renewable-resources-requirement-dropped-from-senate-measure WASHINGTON – A proposal requiring http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/renewable-resources-requirement-dropped-from-senate-measure Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:46:58 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/new-nukes-are-finally-coming Posted by: John Carey on September 24 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/new-nukes-are-finally-coming Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/house-energy-vote-near Package has suffered from fighting among Democrats By DAVID IVANOVICH Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau WASHINGTON — The House, engulfed in squabbles over a disputed procedural vote and some malfunctioning voting machines, postponed until today votes on a two-part energy package. Despite a veto threat from the Bush administration, the Democrat-controlled House is poised to vote on legislation designed to encourage conservation and promote greater use of renewable energy sources, while also taking a swipe at the oil companies. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., was still scrambling Friday to deal with a rebellion in her own ranks. Rep. Gene Green of Houston and other Democrats from energy producing states, dubbed "Hydrocarbon Democrats," met with Pelosi again Friday to raise their concerns about the anti-energy industry thrust of the legislative package. Asked whether Democratic leaders have the votes to push through their proposals despite the opposition from within the party, Green said: "I don't think they'd be talking to us if they had the votes." Pelosi told reporters Friday afternoon the House would take up the energy package today — on what was supposed to be the start of lawmakers' August recess — "if all goes as planned." But precious little has gone according to plan in the House in recent days. House Republicans erupted in anger late Thursday over a highly contested vote on an agriculture bill, followed by a breakdown of the electronic voting system Friday that delayed floor action for hours. Need a better relationship The Democrats' primary energy bill promotes conservation and use of renewable energy sources. It includes new efficiency standards for home appliances; proposals for more energy efficient lighting; expanded use of ethanol; and tax incentives for consumers to buy more fuel-efficient "plug-in" hybrid cars, which feature batteries that can be recharged when the car is not in use. Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M., together with his cousin, Rep. Mark Udall, D-Colo., was busy Friday trying to rustle up enough votes for an amendment that would require utilities by 2020 to generate at least 15 percent of their electricity using renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. To try to ensure enough votes, the proponents agreed to give utilities greater flexibility to meet the standards, including allowing them to use efficiency improvements to account for up to 4 percentage points of the 15 percent renewable requirement. Green had raised concerns that Texas would not be able to meet such a standard and that it would prompt a huge increase in utility bills. He was trying Friday to ascertain how Texas might fare under the proposal. Green also questioned a related tax bill that would slap the oil companies with $16 billion in new taxes. Among other provisions, it would exclude the companies from a scheduled rollback in the corporate tax rate for U.S. manufacturers, increase the taxes on their operations overseas and complicate their efforts to write off exploration and production expenses. "We need to have a better relationship between the energy companies and Democratic leadership," Green said. "That goes without saying." Threats of a veto The Bush administration voiced its displeasure with the Democratic proposal Friday. The White House Office of Management and Budget said the president's senior advisers had recommended he veto the bills, arguing they "fail to deliver American consumers or businesses more energy security, but rather would lead to less domestic oil and gas production, higher energy costs, and higher taxes." White House officials argued that "repealing the manufacturing deduction for only the oil and gas industry is a targeted tax increase that puts U.S. industries at a disadvantage to their foreign competitors." The administration also criticized as "inexpensive and highly inefficient" the bill's $8 billion in tax credits for renewable energy production and conservation efforts. 'Clear that he's all talk' Environmental groups, wanting to protect a bill they strongly support, blasted the Bush administration for its opposition. Luke Metzger, director of Environment Texas, called the veto threat "truly outrageous." "This president has told the nation that we are 'addicted to oil' and called on the nations of the world to 'improve energy security, reduce air pollution, and also reduce greenhouse gases.' With his veto threat today, it's clear that he's all talk," Metzger said. Earlier this summer, the Senate passed its own energy package. Before any legislation could be sent to the president for his signature, House and Senate negotiators would have to work out a compromise bill. Despite all the fits and starts, at least some Democrats remained confident they will pass out energy legislation. "The energy bill is like Christmas," said Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii, "It's coming." david.ivanovich@chron.com http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/house-energy-vote-near Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/group-pushes-proposed-renewable-energy-standard-for-texas http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/group-pushes-proposed-renewable-energy-standard-for-texas Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/environmental-legislation-could-mean-big-bucks-more-jobs-for-texas http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/environmental-legislation-could-mean-big-bucks-more-jobs-for-texas Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/plugged-into-wind At an early June press conference, representatives from the Sierra http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/plugged-into-wind Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/renewable-energy-needs-more-attention AUSTIN - Energy prices and the conflict in the Middle http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/renewable-energy-needs-more-attention Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/more-wind-energy-possible-by-2020 Local environmental groups are calling on Congress to increase the amount of renewable energy used by consumers. Houston Public Radio's Laurie Johnson reports.  The sound of dozens of pinwheels spinning in the wind is intended to convey on a small scale the idea of wind farms. Houston's climate and weather are ideally suited for wind farming. Aaron Waldorf is a field associate for Environment Texas. He says Texas is already the leading producer of wind energy, but his organization is trying to promote not just the production of, but also the consumption of wind energy in the state. "As you know a lot of parts already for wind farms come through the shipping port, through the channel, and so that would involve a lot more jobs and money that way. It also would help clean up Houston. Houston has an eight-hour ozone you know 'no go outside time' which is kind of bad. We could help clean that up by reducing our dependence on fossil fuels because a lot of times that puts out particulates. So we're just trying to show the people of Houston that wind energy is good for them in many different ways." Dr. Bonnie New is coordinator of a group called Health Professionals for Clean Air. She says there's no question that air pollution causes a number of medical problems from asthma to increased risk for certain cancers. "Refining, extraction, prospecting that is associated with locating and producing fossil fuels involves, by its very nature, pollution of the air and the water and the soil. Why would we care from a health point of view? That's the air that we breathe, the water that we drink, the land that we touch and work on and grow our food on." The two organizations have joined to ask local congressional representatives to co-sponsor and vote for legislation coming up in the House in the next couple of weeks. The bill would create a federal standard for renewable energy use. "Federal renewable energy standard would allow us to require that 20 percent of the energy produced by the year 2020 comes from clean energy sources. And the bill specifically states what sources it could come from. Certain sources like wind power, solar power, geothermal -- the gas that comes off landfills, all these different types of power sources are clean and they're renewable so they could last forever." Waldorf says several energy bills have already gone through the House and Senate without the renewable energy mandate attached. This new legislation includes the renewable energy standard and he sees that as indicative of a legislative shift toward promoting more clean energy consumption. Laurie Johnson, Houston Public Radio News. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/more-wind-energy-possible-by-2020 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/environmental-group-sets-up-display-at-hermann-park Environment Texas set up many pinwheels at Hermann Park to support a move towards energy generated from wind power. Supporters want Texas politicians to know that wind turbines could help increase jobs, decrease America's dependency on fossil fuels and reduce pollution. Supporters believe Texas is the perfect state for wind farms. "Texas is very spread out so we have a lot of room for wind farms," Aaron Waldorf of Environment Texas said. "A lot of times wind farms rely on rural areas in order to be built and there are so many farms and ranches [here.] Plenty of room for people to build wind farms." The group wants local politicians to sponsor a renewable resources bill set for discussion in the State House pretty soon. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/environmental-group-sets-up-display-at-hermann-park Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/congress-should-pass-a-renewable-energy-standard U.S. can build on Texas' success http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/congress-should-pass-a-renewable-energy-standard Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/call-for-renewable-energy CPS Energy urged to generate 20% of its power from renewable sources by 2020.By Jim Forsyth http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/call-for-renewable-energy Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/group-denounces-utility-legislation-proposal By R.A. DYERrdyer@star-telegram.com http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/group-denounces-utility-legislation-proposal Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/for-this-state-green-means-health-wealth http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/for-this-state-green-means-health-wealth Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/texas-warm-up-to-solar Legislature needs to pass rebate program, says LUKE METZGER The Texas Legislature will have the chance this session to embrace a solar future for our state. Rep. Garnet Coleman and Sen. Rodney Ellis have filed legislation – HB 2226 and SB 1357 – to build a solar power market here. The TexSun Solar Energy Rebate Program would create a five-year, half-billion-dollar incentive operation to give solar the jumpstart it needs to get up and running. The program would provide rebates to make it cost-effective for about 50,000 Texas homeowners and businesses to put solar panels on their roofs. The rebates would be funded by a surcharge on our electric bills of 65 cents a month, something polls show a strong majority of Texans would gladly pay to help develop solar power. Homeowners using the panels would benefit from dramatically lower electric bills that would save them money over the lifetime of the photovoltaic (PV) system, including immediate savings if they finance the system themselves. TexSun wouldn't just provide value for people with the solar systems, but for everyone who uses the electricity grid. Solar PV generates the most electricity during long hot summer days, when electricity is the most expensive to produce, reducing the need to build new power plants and transmissions lines. The state as a whole would benefit by leveraging significant private investments to support our public electricity infrastructure. And with growth in demand, the economies of scale will help make solar affordable for everyone. TexSun would also be great news for our environment. By reducing demand for fossil fuels, the fund would reduce smog pollution by 5,000 tons and global warming pollution by 3 million tons. Despite the fact that Texas has the greatest solar energy resource potential in the entire nation, we still generate only a tiny fraction of 1 percent of our electricity from the sun. Yet each year, more than 170,000 homes are built in this state, adding considerable strain to our electric grid. It has often been said that it is not a question of if, but when solar power becomes cost competitive with traditional electricity sources. By adopting the right programs and policies today, Texas can have a great deal of control over the future cost of solar power and how rapidly it becomes cost-competitive. By getting in on the ground floor of this new market, Texas can also benefit economically. The TexSun program would bring an estimated $1 billion dollars in investment to the state, creating more than 4,000 job-years in employment. The best way to ensure that Texas sees a future expansion in solar power capacity is by committing to long-term market development programs that include financial incentives such as TexSun. Experience in California and in other countries, especially Japan, has shown that such government programs can lead to increased demand, lowered prices, and ultimately a robust, self-sufficient solar market in which government incentives are no longer necessary. We can protect our environment and move to a cleaner energy future by using our technological know-how to put the sun to work. Through policies passed in 1999 and 2005, the Legislature helped create a boom for wind power in Texas. Now it's time for them to help Texas go solar by creating incentives for homeowners and businesses to install solar. Luke Metzger is the Director of Environment Texas, a statewide citizens' advocacy organization based in Austin. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/texas-warm-up-to-solar Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/little-things-will-make-a-difference-in-cutting-pollution AUSTIN - With war raging in the Middle East, volatile oil and gas prices, and air pollution making our families sick, we cannot wait to change the direction of our nation's energy policies. Unfortunately, at a time when the public is crying for a transition to clean alternatives, some industries are pushing Texas down the road of increased reliance on dirty fossil fuels. TXU's announcement that it won't build eight coal plants is great news, but there are still 11 other coal plants in the works, including the three dirtiest plants proposed by TXU. The good news is some Texas lawmakers have proposed commonsense solutions to our energy problems that will save consumers money, enhance electricity reliability, and help reduce the air pollution that causes tens of thousands of Texas children to have asthma attacks each summer. Texas' current energy use is like leaving your windows open while you run the air conditioning: wasteful and unnecessarily expensive. But just like you can close the windows, there's a simple solution to reducing our energy use: making common products more energy efficient. We already have the technology to waste less energy. In our homes and businesses sit commonly used appliances - DVD players, walk-in refrigerators and freezers, portable hot tubs, and more - that use much more electricity than they need to do the job. Take pool pumps for example. Texans with a swimming pool at home probably are taking advantage of the amazing weather we're having to enjoy a nice dip. However, the pool pump, used to filter and circulate the water in the pool, is usually the single largest electricity user in a home, making up almost half of the kilowatt-hours on your electric bill. Requiring the sale in Texas of currently available efficient pool pumps would save the average pool owner more than $700 over 10 years, which is nothing to sneeze at. But the savings for the state as a whole by 2020 would be enormous, some 472 gigawatt hours every year. That's enough to power more than 41,000 homes - from pool pump efficiency alone! And since pool pumps are usually run during hot summer afternoons when electricity is most used (and pollution most produced), the savings would likely be even greater. State Sens. Kip Averitt and Rodney Ellis and Rep. Rafael Anchia have proposed legislation to set a floor for the efficiency of 10 types of residential and commercial appliances, including pool pumps. According to the State Energy Conservation Office, the standards set in these bills would be feasible and have benefits far exceeding costs for Texas consumers, and by 2020 the standards would save enough electricity to power 200,000 Texas homes, reduce consumer electric bills by $230 million per year and reduce peak demand by 600 megawatts. Using less electricity means less pollution coming out of power plants. At a time when our major cities are struggling to comply with federal air quality standards, the standards would reduce smog pollution by 1,000 metric tons per year. Texas' growing population is increasing demand for electricity, but before we let greedy electric utilities lock us into 50 more years of pollution we just can't afford, we should make sure we're taking advantage of the cheapest, cleanest and quickest options. The proposed appliance legislation alone could offset 20 percent of the projected growth in demand, offsetting the need for two to three average-size power plants. Together with other pieces of Texas' largely untapped "strategic reserves" of energy efficiency, like stronger building codes and expanded investments in renewable energy, we could meet the vast majority of our future energy needs. We need these appliance efficiency standards to help make our air safe to breathe again and to give our families some relief on their electric bills. Texas is counting on the Legislature to lead us toward a new energy future. Luke Metzger is the director of Environment Texas, a statewide citizens' advocacy group based in Austin. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/little-things-will-make-a-difference-in-cutting-pollution Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/iraq-is-the-top-topic Gary MartinExpress-News Washington Bureau http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/iraq-is-the-top-topic Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/which-way-to-go-in-pursuit-of-power By LUKE METZGER and BEE MOORHEAD http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/which-way-to-go-in-pursuit-of-power Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/executive-vists-ep-says-ford-working-to-boost-sales By Dave Burge / El Paso TimesArticle Launched:12/08/2006 12:00:00 AM MST http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/executive-vists-ep-says-ford-working-to-boost-sales Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/land-management-public-school-fund-center-of-texas-land-commissioner-race Jerry Patterson seeks second term for state's oldest office. By Corrie MacLaggan AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF Thursday, October 19, 2006 Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson is used to folks not knowing what, exactly, the General Land Office is. Sometimes, they ask him which precincts he represents. Patterson, a Republican seeking a second four-year term, tells them that if they live in Texas, they're in his precinct. The General Land Office — the state's oldest agency, established in 1836 — is in charge of tasks as diverse as managing 20 million acres of state land, running a veterans program and preserving historic Texas documents: 35 million pieces of paper including Sam Houston's will and the first draft of the Texas Constitution. Money that the agency makes from leasing drilling rights for oil and gas production on state land goes to the state's Permanent School Fund, a $22 billion endowment that directs money to public schools. Patterson, a former state senator whose top priority is to diversify revenue for the school fund, faces Democratic challenger VaLinda Hathcox, a rancher and lawyer critical of Patterson's record. Libertarian Michael French is also running. Hathcox faces a steep financial disadvantage: Patterson had $434,000 on hand at the end of September; she had $0. She's driving from county to county, campaigning at courthouses and Dairy Queens; he's launching television ads in El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley and radio ads in those cities in addition to Beaumont and Corpus Christi. Hathcox says she's running because she sees the price of oil rising but wonders why Texas doesn't have enough money for new public school textbooks. "I kept saying, 'Where's all this money? What's happening to it?' " said Hathcox, who was a clerk in the General Land Office during law school in the early 1970s. Patterson, however, points out that though oil prices have risen, production volumes in Texas have decreased. Hathcox also criticizes Patterson's management of Texas land. "The land commissioner is a trustee of the public lands, and they are to be managed in the best interests of all Texans," she said. "The current administration seems to be more of a private real estate firm. They're looking at current development and maybe not long-term investment." Patterson said his focus on real estate is part of a strategy to diversify income so when oil and gas royalties shrink in the future, there's still money for the school fund. The 600-employee land office brought in $500 million last year for the fund. "If the land office wasn't making this money, school property taxes would be substantially higher," he said. Patterson, who has expressed interest in running for lieutenant governor or governor in the future, has made long-term solutions for Texas coastal erosion one priority as land commissioner. Luke Metzger, a spokesman for Environment Texas, a statewide advocacy organization, said Patterson has a mixed record on the environment. Metzger praised the commissioner's dedication to boosting wind power in the state; Texas this year surpassed California as the nation's leading wind energy state. "Clearly, he's been the wind industry's biggest cheerleader," he said. But he criticized Patterson's support of drilling in the Padre Island National Seashore. Patterson has said he supports drilling there to generate money for the Permanent School Fund. cmaclaggan@statesman.com; 445-3548 Jerry Patterson (R) Age: 59 Occupation: Land commissioner Hometown: Austin Education: Bachelor's degree, Texas A&M University Experience: U.S. Marine for 20 years (Vietnam veteran, retired lieutenant colonel); state senator for six years Worth noting: Led increase in Texas veterans' benefits, created Coastal Texas 2020 to focus on coastal issues, created program to preserve historic documents. Wants to diversify revenue sources for the $22 billion Permanent School Fund. As state senator, passed the 1995 Concealed Handgun Law. Web site: www.votepatterson.com Michael French (L) Age: 43 Occupation: Rancher Hometown: Wills Point Education: Not available Experience: Not available Worth noting: He is not responding to inquiries from the media, state Libertarian officials said. Web site: www.lptexas.org/2006/french VaLinda Hathcox (D) Age: 58 Occupation: Rancher and lawyer Hometown: Sulphur Springs Education: Bachelor's degree, master's degree in political science, Texas A&M at Commerce; law degree, University of Texas Experience: Hopkins County attorney; special assistant, office of the attorney general of Texas; director of programs, State Bar of Texas; tax judge, state comptroller's office; director of government affairs, Texas Association of Counties; clerk, General Land Office Worth noting: Wants to increase Texas' school fund, keep beaches open to the public, preserve veterans benefits and lower land taxes. Web site: www.valindahathcox.com http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/land-management-public-school-fund-center-of-texas-land-commissioner-race Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/will-the-nuke-mushroom http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/will-the-nuke-mushroom Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/nuke-plant-expansion-sought  Anton CaputoExpress-News Staff Writer http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/nuke-plant-expansion-sought Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/environmental-community-split-over-wind-farm Some want renewable energy fast; others want to slow down to check on birds. http://www.environmenttexas.org/in-the-news/clean-energy/clean-energy/environmental-community-split-over-wind-farm Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600