Highlights Support for Renewable Energy in Texas
Houston, TX—Standing
before hundreds of pinwheels spread out in Hermann Park, Environment Texas today
highlighted the potential and support for renewable energy in the state. Hundreds
of pinwheels were displayed to represent the potential for wind energy to power
the city of Houston. Health Professionals for Clean Air, The
Houston Citizens Environment Coalition, and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s
office also joined Environment Texas for an event calling on Congress to
establish a national Renewable Electricity Standard requiring that utilities
generate 20% of their electricity from renewable sources like wind and solar by
2020, an issue that will be debated in the House and Senate this month.
“There is no question that America has the know-how to move
beyond fossil fuels and to tap into our abundant renewable energy resources,” said
Aaron Waldorf, a Field Associate with Environment Texas. “But right now we’re
just sitting on a winning lottery ticket when it comes to renewable
energy—we’re not tapping into the potential that exists here in Texas.”
Currently, Texas
derives only 1.3 percent of its electricity from clean, renewable sources of
energy like wind and solar power. Countries like Denmark currently derive more than 20
percent of their overall electricity generation from wind power alone.
“I support renewable energy for Texas, not only because it will help cut
global warming and air pollution-causing emissions, but because studies show
that clean energy development creates twice as many jobs compared to
traditional fossil fuel development,” said Ella Tyler of the Houston Citizens
Environmental Coalition,“Choosing clean energy is a win-win decision.”
One of the most proven policies to drive renewable energy
development, an RES, also known as a “renewable portfolio standard” or RPS, has
been enacted in more than 20 states, including Texas. These policies require that utilities generate
a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable sources. Due to the
economic and environmental benefits these policies have delivered, ten states
have now strengthened or expanded their standards.
With Congress seeking to address energy security and global
warming this summer, there is momentum building to establish a national RES. Environment Texas called on Congress to pass legislation
to establish a national RES of 20 percent by 2020.
“Now is the time to take bold steps toward a new energy
future,” said Waldorf. “The result will be
a cleaner and more secure economy, new jobs for today and tomorrow, and stable
energy prices for consumers.”
An analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists found that a
standard of 20 percent by 2020 would create 355,000 jobs, save consumers $49
billion on their electric bills, and direct $16.2 billion to rural communities.
Environment Texas specifically
called on Representative Gene Green in Texas’s
29th District to cosponsor legislation introduced by Representatives
Udall (D-NM) and Platts (R-PA), H.R. 969, which would establish a 20% by 2020
Renewable Electricity Standard.
“Texans want to put American innovation and ingenuity to
work to solve our energy problems,” stated Waldorf. “By supporting HR 969, Representative Green
can help deliver on the promise of renewable energy.”
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Environment Texas
is a statewide non-profit, non-partisan environmental advocacy organization.
