New coalition will promote plug-in vehicles

In September, Environment Texas joined a diverse coalition of electric utilities, automobile dealers and others to announce the launch of the new Plug-in Texas coalition. The coalition will work to promote plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in Texas.

PHEVs, which some automakers will put on the market as soon as next year, are similar to traditional gasoline powered hybrids, except they can also be plugged in to an electric outlet. According to a study by the U.S. Department of Energy, PHEVs would emit 27 percent less global warming emissions than cars fueled by gasoline. Operating costs of plug-in cars are likely to be significantly lower than those of gasoline-powered cars. Electricity costs 3 to 5 cents per mile with average electric rates, or the equivalent of $0.75 to $1.25 a gallon of gasoline.

The coalition will work to build a coherent strategy and concerted action to make sure Texas takes full advantage of the potential of plug-in vehicles.

Environment Texas 2.0

Environment Texas is expanding our digital reach. In July, we launched a new podcast, “A Minute for the Environment,” which explores the hot environmental issues facing Texas. From politicians and corporate executives to groundbreaking scientists and environmental activists, we’ll be interviewing the leading minds that are shaping the future of Texas’ environment. Our first episodes include interviews with state Rep. Mark Strama and Sen. Kirk Watson. The podcast is available on our Web site and on iTunes.

We are also now on Twitter (www.twitter.com/EnvironmentTex), Facebook (www.facebook.com/environmenttexas), YouTube (www.youtube.com/environmenttexas09) and Myspace (www.myspace.com/environment_texas). This summer, our “tweets” on Twitter were mentioned in a New York Times blog!