http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/puc-report-texas-can-meet-growing-energy-needs-with-efficiency-measures http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/puc-report-texas-can-meet-growing-energy-needs-with-efficiency-measures Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/groups-announce-plan-to-renew-texas-economy-with-solar-power-and-energy-efficiency http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/groups-announce-plan-to-renew-texas-economy-with-solar-power-and-energy-efficiency Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:07:14 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/americas-economic-future-must-be-built-on-a-foundation-of-clean-energy http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/americas-economic-future-must-be-built-on-a-foundation-of-clean-energy Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:17:09 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/american-voters-send-a-clear-message-to-obama-administration-and-111th-congress-clean-energy-solutions-are-key-to-our-future Washington, DC - With the backdrop of record-breaking energy prices http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/american-voters-send-a-clear-message-to-obama-administration-and-111th-congress-clean-energy-solutions-are-key-to-our-future Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:11:42 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/austin-approves-mandatory-energy-audits AUSTIN - Environment Texas praised the Austin City Council for approving an ordinance on Thursday to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings in the city. http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/austin-approves-mandatory-energy-audits Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:35:11 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/texas-ranks-19th-in-energy-efficiency AUSTIN - A new http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/texas-ranks-19th-in-energy-efficiency Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:42:34 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/energy-and-housing-crisis-prompts-calls-for-more-efficient-buildings http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/energy-and-housing-crisis-prompts-calls-for-more-efficient-buildings Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:02:25 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/senators-cornyn-and-hutchison-block-oil-saving-clean-energy-tax-incentives AUSTIN - Environment Texas rebuked http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/senators-cornyn-and-hutchison-block-oil-saving-clean-energy-tax-incentives Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:36:47 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/texas-must-not-let-nuclear-coal-power-take-priority-on-states-renewable-energy-transmission-lines Cost and Safety of Nuclear and ‘Clean’ Coal Plants Is Questionable, http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/texas-must-not-let-nuclear-coal-power-take-priority-on-states-renewable-energy-transmission-lines Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:41:48 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/u_s_-conference-of-mayors-calls-for-dramatic-improvements-in-energy-efficiency-of-buildings Austin, Dallas and Arlington http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/u_s_-conference-of-mayors-calls-for-dramatic-improvements-in-energy-efficiency-of-buildings Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:34:41 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/environment-texas-report-large-scale-solar-power-plants-could-power-nation-combat-global-warming-and-create-thousands-of-jobs 4,000 Megawatts of Solar Power Under Development Threatened by Lapsing Federal Tax Incentives AUSTIN – Texas could generate as much as 148,000 megawatts of electricity or more than twice our current use from solar power plants; according to a report released today, “On the Rise: Solar Thermal Power and the Fight Against Global Warming” by Environment Texas. These solar thermal power plants covering an area of 30 x 30-mile area in west Texas, could power the entire state; while slashing global warming emissions. Because solar thermal energy storage allows electric generating capacity even when the sun is not shining, it can replace traditional energy sources like coal, natural gas and nuclear power. "Solar thermal power is ready for primetime,” said Luke Metzger, Director of Environment Texas. “With support from policymakers, Texas could quickly get much of its energy from this abundant and clean domestic energy source at prices competitive with new nuclear or ‘clean coal’ power plants. If we are going to get serious about fighting global warming and addressing our nation’s energy woes, solar energy must be part of the solution.” The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has identified the potential for more than 7,000 gigawatts (GW) of concentrating solar power generation on lands in the southwestern United States alone - more than six times current U.S. electricity consumption. Other areas of the United States, such as the mountain West, the Great Plains and Florida, can also generate significant power from the sun. Concentrating solar power development has accelerated dramatically since the beginning of 2007. More than 4,000 MW of solar thermal projects are in some phase of development nationwide and could be completed by 2012. However, solar energy tax credits that are helping make these projects cost-effective are set to expire at the end of the year, putting their future in doubt. "Federal clean energy tax incentives are spurring investment, creating thousands of "green-collar" jobs, and helping reduce global warming pollution," said Russel Smith, Executive Director of the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association. "If Congress lets them expire, clean energy projects will be severely curtailed." Concentrating solar power plants are increasingly cost-competitive with other power generation technologies that do not produce carbon dioxide, the main global warming pollutant. The cost of energy from solar thermal power plants is estimated to be competitive in cost with theoretical coal-fired power plants that capture and store their carbon dioxide emissions and with new nuclear power plants. The report concludes that with leadership at the state and federal level and the right policies, that, putting 80 gigawatts, enough to power 25 million homes, of concentrated solar power in place by 2030 is within reach. This would have the potential to generate between 75,000 and 140,000 permanent jobs and cut global warming pollution from U.S. electric power plants by at least 6.6 percent by the year 2030. One critical policy currently under review by the Public Utilities Commission is the construction of new transmission lines to areas with the best wind and solar resources.“Transmission lines are the key to unlocking the door to vast wind and solar energy use in Texas” said Mike Sloan, President of Virtus Energy. Solar and wind power are natural partners to share new transmission lines to serve sunny and windy West Texas. Adds Sloan, “New power lines that Texas is looking to build to support major new wind regions will serve as the same highways to carry clean West Texas solar power to customers throughout the state.” Electricity generation accounts for more than a third of America's emissions of global warming pollution. “Concentrating solar power can make a large contribution toward reducing global warming pollution in the United States, and do so quickly and at a reasonable cost,” said Metzger. “The Legislature should jump on this economic and environmental opportunity and work to make Texas a world solar leader.” “Texas' combination of land, wind, and solar resources positions Texas to profit from a fleet of solar thermal power plants up and running within the next five years, helping to stabilize Texas energy prices while meeting Texas' growing need for peak power to grow the state economy,” said John O’Donnell, Vice President of Ausra, Inc, a global corporation which develops utility-scale solar thermal power technology. ### B-roll footage of an Ausra solar power plant in Australia is available at:http://www.ausra.com/documents/0718_ausra.mov . A computer-generated flyover of a PG&E project in central California at www.ausra.com/documents/fly1.wmv http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/environment-texas-report-large-scale-solar-power-plants-could-power-nation-combat-global-warming-and-create-thousands-of-jobs Mon, 19 May 2008 16:58:11 -0500 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/21st-century-energy-bill-blocked-in-senate-by-coal-and-big-oil-allies Statement of Luke Metzger, Environment Texas, on Senate Cloture Vote http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/21st-century-energy-bill-blocked-in-senate-by-coal-and-big-oil-allies Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:07:58 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/new-study-finds-auto-fuel-economy-standards-will-save-texans-2-billion-per-year HOUSTON-- http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/new-study-finds-auto-fuel-economy-standards-will-save-texans-2-billion-per-year Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:06:18 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/environment-texas-report-shows-clean-energy-boom-in-texas  Group Calls on Congress to Adopt Federal Renewable Electricity Standard http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/environment-texas-report-shows-clean-energy-boom-in-texas Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/congress-votes-for-a-new-energy-future Passes national renewable electricity standard for the first time AUSTIN - Today the House of Representatives voted 241 to 172 to pass "The New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act" (H.R. 3221), including an amendment to establish a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). The passage of the RES along with the package of legislation included in H.R. 3221 will make significant steps toward a cleaner and more secure energy future for the United States."We applaud today's clean energy breakthrough in the U.S. Congress,"said Luke Metzger, Director of Environment Texas.  "The House of Representatives improved a good energy bill by adding a 15% renewable electricity standard that will dramatically increase clean renewable power in this country," continued Metzger. "This is a huge victory for our environment and our energy future. This is a huge victory for our environment and our energy future. This amendment will have a profound impact in our efforts to clear our air and protect our climate. It will also help create thousands of jobs in Texas, lower electric bills and decrease our dependence on fossil fuels. It's a very good day today."Despite massive opposition by coal-fired utility companies and their allies, a broad coalition of environmentalists, labor unions, farm groups, clean energy developers and investors, was able to pass the RES amendment 220 to 190.H.R. 3221 would require that utilities generate 15% of their electricity from renewable energy such as wind, solar, or biomass, or through energy efficiency savings by 2020.  The amendment was offered by Representatives Udall (NM), Rodriguez (TX), and Platts (PA) and others. Specifically the RES:- requires that utilities generate a gradually increasing amount of their electric generation from renewable energy sources including solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal, starting in 2010.- establishes a national system for trading renewable energy credits.- allows up to 27% of their targeted requirement through energy efficiency savings (the equivalent of up to 4% of the 15% requirement).Other important provisions in the bill include:- The Natural Resources Title (Title VII) which will take important steps toward restoring sound stewardship to the management of our public lands, ensuring responsible domestic energy development, developing alternative energy sources, and helping America's fish and wildlife, public lands, coasts, and oceans adapt to global warming.- Title IX sets aggressive targets for strengthening state building energy efficiency codes, adopts beneficial reforms to Department of Energy (DOE) authority to issue energy efficiency standards for appliance and equipment products, and establishes new efficiency standards for products such as light bulbs, dishwashers and clothes washers.The House also passed HR 2776 which includes, an extension of the energy efficient commercial buildings deduction, closure of the SUV tax loophole, and an extension of the renewable production tax credit. The bill would also eliminate approximately $15 billion in unnecessary oil and gas tax breaks.Missing from the legislation considered today was an improvement in fuel economy. The energy bill passed by the Senate in June includes fuel economy provisions, which will be brought to conference with the House bill."We applaud the House for promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy in this bill.  We look forward to seeing Congress pass a comprehensive energy bill that addresses energy efficiency, fuel economy and renewable energy.  We urge the Congress to add the Senate passed fuel economy provisions in the final bill," said Metzger.Environment Texas praised the following Texas members of Congress for supporting the RES amendment: Henry Cuellar, Al Green, Charles Gonzalez, Ciro Rodriguez, Silvestre Reyes, Lloyd Doggett, Sheila Jackson Lee, and Eddie Bernice Johnson.--30--Environment Texas is a statewide, non-profit, non-partisan citizens advocacy group based in Austin. http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/congress-votes-for-a-new-energy-future Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/environment-texas-wind-industry-praise-rep_-rodriguez-for-renewable-energy-amendment http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/environment-texas-wind-industry-praise-rep_-rodriguez-for-renewable-energy-amendment Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/national-renewable-electricity-standard-would-creat-jobs-save-consumers-billions-cut-millions-of-tons-of-pollution http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/national-renewable-electricity-standard-would-creat-jobs-save-consumers-billions-cut-millions-of-tons-of-pollution Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/environment-texas-displays-hundreds-of-pinwheels-in-hermann-park http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/environment-texas-displays-hundreds-of-pinwheels-in-hermann-park Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/environment-texas-displays-hundreds-of-pinwheels-in-san-antonio http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/environment-texas-displays-hundreds-of-pinwheels-in-san-antonio Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/tx-renewable-energy-on-deathrow Statement by Environment Texas Director Luke http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/tx-renewable-energy-on-deathrow Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/one-year-after-texas-blackouts-more-on-the-way  With Projected Energy Shortages, http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/one-year-after-texas-blackouts-more-on-the-way Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/group-calls-for-texas-to-go-solar SAN http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/group-calls-for-texas-to-go-solar Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/president-to-offer-lofty-goals-with-dirty-details-on-energy-and-global-warming http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/president-to-offer-lofty-goals-with-dirty-details-on-energy-and-global-warming Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/congress-tops-off-first-100-hours-by-passing-clean-energy-act2 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/congress-tops-off-first-100-hours-by-passing-clean-energy-act2 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/wind-energy-development-in-texas-at-risk Public Utility Commissioners to Vote on New http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/wind-energy-development-in-texas-at-risk Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/environment-texas-report-shows-ten-opportunities-to-build-new-energy-future http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/environment-texas-report-shows-ten-opportunities-to-build-new-energy-future Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/environment-texas-launches-campaign-calling-on-candidates-to-support-a-new-energy-future Austin, TX— Environment Texas today launched a new campaign calling on congressional candidates to support policies to move America beyond oil and toward a cleaner energy future. “There is no question that America has the know-how to reduce our dependence on oil and move toward a cleaner, more secure energy future,” said Christian Alexander, Environment Texas Field Associate. “We need leaders who support moving America in a new direction that puts our national security, our environment, our global climate, and our children’s futures above Big Oil and other powerful interests,” continued Alexander. Environment Texas is asking all congressional candidates to deliver on the promise of a New Energy Future by committing to support policies that help the U.S. achieve four key goals: • Reduce U.S. dependence on oil by saving one-third of the oil we use today by 2025; • Harness clean, renewable, homegrown energy sources for at least one quarter of all energy needs by 2025; • Save energy with high performance homes, buildings and appliances so that by 2025 we use 10 percent less energy than we do today; and • Invest in a New Energy Future by tripling research and development funding for the energy-saving and renewable technologies we need to achieve these goals. Environment Texas also released a report today showing the benefits of these policies to America’s environment, economy, and national security. Environment Texas found that achieving these goals, by 2025 would enable the United States to: · Save 10.8 million barrels of oil per day, equal to four-fifths of the amount of oil we currently import from all other nations in the world. · Save 9.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas per year, nearly twice as much as currently used in all of America’s homes. · Save 900 million tons of coal per year, or about 80 percent of all the coal consumed in the United States in 2005. · Save 1.7 billion megawatt-hours of electricity per year, 30 percent more than was used in all the households in America in 2005. “The potential payback from these efforts is tremendous,” said Alexander. “The result will be a cleaner, more sustainable foundation on which to build America’s economy for the 21st century,” continued Alexander. Environment Texas today specifically called on congressional candidates and incumbents across the state to support the goals of a New Energy Future. “Texans want to put American innovation and ingenuity to work to solve our energy problems,” stated Alexander. “By supporting these goals, congressional candidates and incumbents can help make the promise of a New Energy Future a reality,” concluded Alexander. Over the next six weeks, Environment Texas will work with State PIRGs and State Environment groups across the country to build support for the goals of the New Energy Future in more than 50 of the highest profile congressional races, including Texas Congressional Districts 17, 22 and 23.  http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/environment-texas-launches-campaign-calling-on-candidates-to-support-a-new-energy-future Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/reliant-energy-working-to-derail-renewable-energy-market-in-texas AUSTIN- A coalition of environmental, religious, and http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/reliant-energy-working-to-derail-renewable-energy-market-in-texas Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/new-nuclear-plants-too-risky-to-build AUSTIN–Environmental groups today decried http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/new-nuclear-plants-too-risky-to-build Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/congress-to-vote-on-proposal-to-increase-vehicle-gas-mileage http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/congress-to-vote-on-proposal-to-increase-vehicle-gas-mileage Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/energy-saving-appliance-standards-would-cut-natural-gas-electricity-waste-save-texas-consumers-3_5-billion New Report Details http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/energy-saving-appliance-standards-would-cut-natural-gas-electricity-waste-save-texas-consumers-3_5-billion Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/with-energy-prices-rising-in-the-aftermath-of-katrina-and-federal-government-failing-to-act-citizens-and-state-governments-must-step-in-to-reduce-oil-consumption As the new home of TexPIRG's environmental work, http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/with-energy-prices-rising-in-the-aftermath-of-katrina-and-federal-government-failing-to-act-citizens-and-state-governments-must-step-in-to-reduce-oil-consumption Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/texas-legislature-boosts-states-renewable-energy-goal Signature http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/texas-legislature-boosts-states-renewable-energy-goal Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/with-oil-derrick-looming-texans-make-the-case-to-keep-arctic-refuge-padre-island-free-from-real-drilling As the new home of TexPIRG's environmental work, http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/with-oil-derrick-looming-texans-make-the-case-to-keep-arctic-refuge-padre-island-free-from-real-drilling Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:58:12 -0600 http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/house-approves-bill-to-stimulate-the-clean-energy-economy Statement http://www.environmenttexas.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/house-approves-bill-to-stimulate-the-clean-energy-economy Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:46:41 -0600