At last! I can fill you in on Monday’s fantastic solar press conference at the capitol!
Senator Rodney Ellis and Public Citizen Director Tom "Smitty" Smith
Public Citizen, Environment Texas and the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club hosted a statewide round of press conferences this week to roll out our solar report, Texas Solar Roadmap — which of course can be downloaded at www.cleanenergyfortexas.org. Our report highlights how a robust solar program would help put Texans back to work, reduce peak energy prices, curb climate change, improve air quality, and position the state as a world leader for solar production. The full report is a pretty good read, but if you’re short on time I suggest the condensed version, Wildcatting the Sun.
Our press conference in Austin was particularly exciting because we were in such great company. Senators Troy Fraser, Leticia Van de Putte, Kirk Watson, Rodney Ellis, and Representatives Mark Strama and Rafael Anchia all appeared and championed the solar bills they have introduced thus far.
Rafael Anchia’s HB 278 and Florence Shapiro’s SB 427 would require the state’s electric utilities to support the development of 2000 megawatts of solar and other on-site renewable technologies by offering direct incentives to consumers and businesses.
This is right in line with Public Citizen’s distributed solar goal, outlined in both Wildcatting the Sun and Texas Solar Roadmap . According to our report , such a standard could lead to installations on as many as 500,000 roofs in Texas by 2020 at a cost of about 98 cents per month per Texan (Polls have shown that 81% of Texas voters are willing to pay up to a dollar a month to encourage solar power. What about you?). This investment would create an estimated 22,000 jobs and reduce emissions of carbon dioxide emissions by 29 million tons, the equivalent of taking 4.3 million cars off the road for a year.
Anchia stressed that this should be Texas’ solar session because it would answer two of our major challenges: air quality, and global warming.
Senator Fraser was the first legislator to speak, proclaiming that this would be Texas’ solar session. Chairman of the Business and Commerce Committee, Fraser is well positioned to be an effective solar champion. As such, Fraser was particularly proud to forecast a sunny session for solar power. He joked that there are so many solar bills being filed this session, they are going to have to lay them all out at once and have a “solar day” where they can pick out the best bills and key components of each (this is the second time I’ve heard him say this though, so he may be serious. If so, you better bet I’ll be there with bells on!)
Fraser also said that he found the idea enumerated in Kirk Watson’s bills — that Texas was very successful in promoting wind power but missed out on manufacturing opportunities — particularly in need of our attention.
Fraser’s big solar bill is SB 545, which
would create a five-year program for distributed solar generation incentives offered through the state’s transmission and distribution utilities. The incentive program would be funded by a nominal monthly fee on residential, commercial and industrial customers.
Check out his press release from last week, when that bill was filed, for more information. Or if you’re feeling really geeky, read the bill. Watson has also filed SB 546, relating to the state goal for energy efficiency. This bill sets stepped goals for how much of the state’s growth in energy efficiency will be met by efficiency, culminating in a goal of getting 50% load growth through efficiency by 2015.
Senator Van de Putte was then called up to champion CPS Energy’s new distributed energy commitment and her own solar in schools bill, SB 598. This would set up a pilot loan program to retrofit public schools with PV panels and other efficiency measures. Solar on schools is a pretty smart idea, because during summer months when the lights are off and their electricity use dips way down, they could make a lot of money pumping of energy back into the grid.
Senator Watson, a member of the Business and C0mmerce Committee and my Very Own senator, has three solar bills introduced so far. Continue Reading »
Posted in Global Warming | Tagged Air Quality, andrew mccalla, Austin, business and commerce, Carbon Dioxide, climate change, CPS Energy, distributed solar, eliot shapiro, emerging technology fund, energy conservation office, Energy Efficiency, environment texas, green jobs, greenhouse gas, hb 516, jose beceiro, kirk watson, leticia van de putte, made in texas, mark strama, meridian energy systems, peak energy prices, peak power, Public Citizen, rafael anchia, renewable energy, Rodney Ellis, sb 435, sb 541, sb 542, sb 545, sb 546, sb 598, sb 603, senator rodney ellis, Sierra Club, solar legislation, solar power, Texas, texas center for sustainable business, texas solar roadmap, troy fraser, tx, wildcatting the sun |
February 4, 2009 by Citizen Carol
The promise by Obama to overturn Bush administration policies on energy is already being fulfilled. Today the Obama administration said it will cancel oil drilling leases on more than 100,000 acres in Utah and return $6 million in bids including those of activist Tim DeChristopher, who added an interesting twist to the Bush administration’s rush to sell oil and gas leases during their last weeks in office.
In December DeChristopher bid on and won several of these leases in protest, even though he didn’t have the money to pay for them. By early January he had raised $45,000 from supporters and promised if he didn’t have to use the money he would contact donors to determine what do do with the cash.
In the meantime, an alliance of conservation groups filed a lawsuit to try to stop the leasing, citing concerns it would pollute the air in the protected areas. They were granted a temporary restraining order preventing the Bureau of Land Management from moving forward with the leases.
These delaying tactics have proved to be most effective in light of this announcement.
So thank you Tim DeChristopher, for your unorthadox approach to good stewardship of some of our nation’s most precious landscapes in Utah. It took a lot of chutzpah to do what you did in the face of an administration whose motto has long been (as Sarah Palin puts it) “DRILL-BABY-DRILL” regardless of the consequences to environmentally sensitive areas.
And thank you Robin Cooley, the Earthjustice attorney who represented the conservation groups, for convincing the court that the one and a half hours of use we would get from the oil produced on these lands should be weighed more carefully against the impacts on our national parks and protected areas.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Bureau of Land Management, bush administration, drill baby dirll, earthjustice, obama, Oil and Gas Leases, robin cooley, sarah palin, Texas, tim dechris, Tim DeChristopher, utah |
I’m embarrassed.
Greg Harman at the San Antonio Current beat me to covering my own press conference. And he did a way better job than I ever could have done.
The only explanation is that Greg Harman is Superman. Or, that I am one very busy media coordinator who needs to re-align her priorities (from now on, the internet wins!).
I’m so ashamed, it doesn’t even seem worth it to write anything myself.
Save me the effort, and go to his post at the San Antonio Current Queblog. Read about how within the span of two weeks, SA’s CPS Energy pledged to transition to a decentralized power model (ie, energy created on site rather than at a power plant). Learn how last Thursday, Mayor Hardberger unveiled his visionary Mission Verde Plan to make San Antonio a truly sustainable city. Proceed to Harman’s excitement over the sea change at the Legislature, such that fully 15 solar bills have been filed this session.
And then check out his fantastic video, photos, and audio clips. It almost feels like you were there! Watch our very own David Power, solar advocate, announce how the solar industry can provide Texas’ next big job boom! Smile as Bill Sinkin and his bow tie refer to solar energy as a full grown child no longer in need of coddling, but still looking for our support. And listen to County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson trumpet that Texas has reached a critical mass and perfect storm for extensive solar power in the state of Texas to finally become a reality.
Hey hey, looks like I can steal his video from youtube. I LOVE THE INTERNET.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDFfv9Scwfo]
You should still go to his post though, because it is wicked awesome and I can’t steal his audio clips. Or rather, don’t know how.
Also check out the San Antonio Express-New’s coverage: Nonprofits say boosting solar capability in Texas could create jobs. We don’t “say” so, we know so.
Ten “cool” points if you caught the Real Ultimate Power reference. And by cool, I mean totally sweet.
Check out our official press release after the jump. Continue Reading »
Posted in Energy, Renewables | Tagged bill sinkin, CPS Energy, david power, Greg Harman, mayor hardberger, mission verd, queblog, real ultimate power, San Antonio, san antonio current, san antonio express news, solar energy, solar power, superman, Texas, tommy adkisson |
We held a press conference yesterday in San Antonio at the Pearl Brewery, which is currently being renovated and, upon its completion, will have the largest solar array panel in the state of Texas. Installed by Austin’s own Meridian Solar, the new system is expected to generate 25% of the energy needs for the new building, which will hold condos, an Aveda hair salon, and an art gallery.
San Antonio is not the first to take on a solar power “experiment” — Houston turned a parking lot into an eco-park that has topped all of its park buildings with solar paneling, and is attempting pull all of its energy usage from solar panels.
With all the advancements of the solar industry, it is a wonder why everyone isn’t just as excited about all the possibilities solar energy systems can offer.
Our past concerns about the reliability of solar energy—“But what will we do if it’s raining?”—now seem archaic. Over the past decade leading companies have been making sweeping advancements, and now solar technology is more reliable, affordable, and efficient than ever.
What we have developed now is far from the sea of reflective solar panels in that unforgettable scene from Gattaca. New technology consists of a flexible sheet-like material that can simply be laid on top of already existing structures, such as the roofs of buildings. This particular type of solar technology is a branch of material called Photovoltaics (“PV”) that was actually first used to power satellites back in the 1950’s. The thin-film PV works the same way to convert energy derived from light into electricity, is only a few millionths of a meter thick, and now can be readily and easily installed onto almost any building.
A more familiar type of PV is silicon-based, which can also be made into flexible rolls that can top any surface. And as technology keeps getting better, the production costs keep on dropping. It is now even possible for solar conductors to be constructed directly into building materials, called Building Integrated Solar. Consider this: Thin-Film PV could cover all eastern and western facing windows, or on your car windshield, providing clean, beautiful energy with no visible interference.
In response to “rainy day concerns,” our new solar report, Texas Solar Roadmap, demonstrates that it isn’t as big of a concern as we think. Continue Reading »
Posted in Global Warming | Tagged aveda hair salon, concentrating solar power, discovery green, entech solar, gattaca, heliovolt, meridian solar, pearl brewery, photovoltaics, San Antonio, solar energy, solar panels, Texas, texas solar roadmap, thin film pv, wildcatting the sun |
We have known for a long time that CO2 emissions are absorbed by the ocean. This is actually a very, very good thing, or else we’d have warmed at least 5 or 6 times as much as we have.
The problem is basic chemistry. When you add CO2 to a water solution (or a salt water solution), you create carbonic acid. Though a weak acid, increased carbonic acid has already affected the ability of coral to reproduce and lowered the ocean’s pH by .1 points. Under a business as usual strategy, this could increase to .4 or .5. While this may not sound like much, that’s about the same as going from fresh water to the pH of soda. Anyone remember the elementary school science fair project where you dissolved a tooth or a penny in Coca-Cola?
And now scientists have found that increased acidity harms other forms of marine life, specifically, THE CLOWNFISH. A report from the National Academy of Sciences has shown that acid levels disrupt the clownfish’s olfactory sense (smell) which could leave them lost at sea. Nemo!! No!!!!
Posted in Global Warming | Tagged carbonic acid, chemistry, CO2 emissions, coca-cola, finding nemo, National Academy of Sciences, Nemo, ocean acidity, olfactory sense, Texas |
Texas faces the possibility of real reform on how we draw our districts next time around, hopefully preventing the repeat of the debacle from last time around when a partisan agenda prompted a walkout by members of the Legislature. So, while doing some research about redistricting reform this morning I stumbled upon a “gem” of a “video game.”
Get Your Gerrymander On!
In Redistricting: The Game, you’re taken through the pitfalls of partisan gerrymandering. You get to draw your own districts, put voters in districts based on whether they’re Republican, Democrat, White, Black, Hispanic, etc, bribe people– you know, just like the real process.
It’s not really that spectacular in terms of graphics, gameplay, etc, but it gives you a fair amount of idea what it would be like to have the power to draw the lines for your own purposes.
Play it online (no download required) at http://www.redistrictinggame.org/
Enjoy, and be sure to comment below on how you think redistricting should be approached.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged independent redistricting commission, redistricting, Texas, Tom Delay, World of Warcraft |
In the dark of the night on January 27, a hefty provision was snuck through the Senate Appropriations Committee. It would expand the current loan guarantee program by providing $50 billion in taxpayer backed loan guarantees for “eligible technologies”.
The handout is likely to be directed at new nuclear reactors and “clean coal”- technologies that undermine the spirit of a bill intended to stimulate a new green economy that boost “shovel-ready” projects and creates jobs within the next two years.
Please call you Senators and tell them to strip the Senate economic stimulus bill of subsidies intended to underwrite nuclear power and “clean coal.” Tell them to remove the $50 billion loan guarantee provision!
We don’t have much time – the Senate will start debating the economic stimulus today. You can find your member of the Senate here.
Please, call your Senators now and demand that unnecessary “pork” be pulled out of the bill. Then fill out this letter to let us know who you called and how it went.
Posted in Global Warming | Tagged Economic Stimulus Package, Loan Guarantees, Nuclear Power, pork spending, senate appropriations committee, Texas |
This week the House passed the $819 billion stimulus package, and even more exciting is that over $100 billion of the package is allocated to green spending. Amazingly, the package passed without a single Republican vote. Only 11 Democrats voted against the bill, with a final vote of 244-188.
Here is a breakdown of the green spending measure as stated in stimulus package:
- $14.6 billion to fund the expansion of public transportation. This number is actually $3 billion more than initially agreed upon, thanks to the efforts of mass transit supporters during debate.
- $37.9 billion towards energy efficiency
- $27.8 billion for renewable energy
- $20 billion in renewable-energy and energy efficiency tax credits and other financial incentives, added by the Ways and Means Committee.
So far, it seems like the House has made significant headway to ensure that green energy and climate change are important issues this session.
But wait, let’s not get our hopes up too high quite yet…we still have the get the package through the Senate. Voting on a specific package should not begin until later next week, and there is some speculation that it might not look as great as the current package. So far, appropriation to mass transit is only up to $8.2 billion. The Republican no-show was certainly intended to make a statement. The New York Times reported Republican Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) to say that he hoped the zero-vote showing would pressure Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to make changes to the bill during negotiations between the House and Senate.
President Obama issued the following statement, touching on the expected dissidence between the House and the Senate:
The plan now moves to the Senate, and I hope that we can continue to strengthen this plan before it gets to my desk. But what we can’t do is drag our feet or allow the same partisan differences to get in our way. We must move swiftly and boldly to put Americans back to work, and that is exactly what this plan begins to do.
So far so good, Mr. President! I just hope that by “strengthen this plan” you mean to keep those green spending measures intact!
Posted in Efficiency, Energy, Global Warming, Renewables | Tagged climate change, Energy Efficiency, green spending measures, house of representatives, mass transit, president obama, public transportation, renewable energy, republican minority whip eric cantor, senate, speaker nancy pelosi, stimulus package, Texas, ways and means committee |
The Texas Governor announced this week that he supports legislation for a $5,000 rebate for plug-in hybrids. As the Wall Street Journal reports, Perry is an outspoken critic of government environmental regulation, saying that the “increasingly activist EPA[‘s]” initiatives to stem greenhouse gas output are “absolutely disastrous” for the Texas economy. The WSJ says this initiative is to sidestep greater regulation from the DC mountaintop…he is throwing the liberals up there a bone so they will get off Texas’ case.
From the governors prepared statement:
Rather than wait for more mandates and punishments for environmental non-attainment, let’s continue encouraging innovation. I support giving Texans in the non-attainment areas of our state a $5,000 incentive towards a purchase of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles, using the funds Texans have already paid to reduce emissions, while providing a unique way to store wind energy.
This is an exciting development for us down here in Texas, long known for being a fossil fuel state. Combining this with the $7,500 tax incentive on the docket in DC for a total of $12,500, Texans might have a fighting chance at purchasing a Chevy Volt, expected to retail for around 40 grand.
Perry would probably never refer to himself as an environmentalist in the same vein as most of the environmental movement, but at least he recognizes change is coming. Moral motives aside, any move in the right direction is welcomed. Thanks, Gov.
Check out the WSJ article here.
Posted in Energy, Global Warming, Renewables | Tagged Air Quality, alternative fuels, clean air, environment, green, green rebate, hybrid, Plug ins, Renewables, Rick Perry, tax incentive, Texas |
January 28, 2009 by Public Citizen Texas
In case you haven’t heard, a scientific study released by NOAA on Monday shows the need for immediate action to curb Global Climate Change. According to this study, “changes in surface temperature, rainfall, and sea level are largely irreversible for more than 1,000 years after carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are completely stopped.” This is truly horrible news.
We as citizens of the world must make great changes if we want to preserve at least part of the world we live in for our children and grandchildren (or for that matter our great-great-grandchildren). The CO2 we are putting into the atmosphere today will still be affecting the earth’s climate in a millennium.
The full text of this developing story is located below via the link:
NOAA’s Findings
This finding should be an indisputable marker to everyone that the time for debate on this issue is over. Great changes are now inescapable and the time to make them is upon us.
Posted in Global Warming | Tagged climate change, Global Climate Change, noaa, Texas |
The Texas Observer just ran an article on the top ten issues the Texas Legislature should address this session. Anybody want to guess what number two was?
If you guessed climate change… you’ve probably been reading this blog. And you’d be right!
The Observer expects for Texas leaders to more amenable to climate change action than they have been in years past. Their reasoning?
Congress and the Obama administration have signaled that major federal climate change legislation is in the works. “The Obama package will give Texas a choice: lead or get left behind,” says state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, D-El Paso. “Luddites need to move away and let leadership take the day.”
The article continues:
As the nation’s top emitter of carbon dioxide, Texas arguably has the most to lose and the most to gain from federal action, says Bea Moorehead, executive director of Texas Impact, an interfaith advocacy group. States that move sooner to cut their greenhouse-gas emissions will have an easier time adapting to a carbon-restrained world. Advocates like Moorehead want to build on the successes Texas has had with wind power and energy conservation by pushing incentives for the solar industry and expanding efficiency standards. Such measures, they say, will create jobs and cut air pollution while replacing sources of greenhouse gas.
I was particularly excited about this article because we’ve been singing the same tune in informational handouts to all your legislative members.
If you agree that this is the message your legislators need to hear, loud and clear… TELL THEM SO. We can print out brochures and hand them to legislative staffers, and the Observer can print articles on what they think the legislature ought to be doing, but ultimately, politicians respond to what their constituents want.
This is a novel idea, I know. You’re thinking; “But Sarah, I’ve been wanting politicians to pursue a whole host of progressive policies for years, and they haven’t happened.”
Well, have you every straight up asked? Politicians aren’t mind readers, you know. Sometimes we’ve got to count ourselves lucky if they are readers at all. So if you want them to know what you want, you’ve got to tell them. When you contact your legislators, they take it much more seriously than a small record of your personal opinion. As few as five personal letters can key a legislator in that an issue is important. Just ten letters can lead them to think they’ve got “constituent trouble” and cause them to support or vote against a particular bill.
Visit the website Who Represents Me? If you know your address, it will only take about 30 seconds to know who your legislators are as well. Write them a letter. Or pick up the phone and give them a call. You probably won’t get to speak with your rep directly, but you can definitely ask for the staffer that works on energy and give them your two cents. Make your voice be heard!
Posted in Global Warming | Tagged Bea Moorehead, Carbon Dioxide, Citizen Action, climate change, Congress, Eliot Shapleigh, Energy Efficiency, Obama administration, Solar Incentives, Texas, Texas Impact, Texas Legislature, texas observer, The Observer, The Texas Observer, Who Represents Me? |
Congress is voting on Obama’s much anticipated stimulus package today. If you want this package to include measures to promote renewable energy and a public works project to make public buildings more energy-efficient — and if you read this blog, I bet you do — tell your legislator now! It will only take a minute, and could make a HUGE difference for America’s energy future.
Act Now!
Posted in Efficiency, Energy, Global Warming | Tagged Congress, Economic Stimulus Package, Energy, Energy Efficiency, Green Stimulus, obama, public works project, renewable energy, stimulus package, Texas |
Want Austin to do think outside the box on energy efficiency?
Think we should invest in storage technology to store all that beautiful wind and solar energy?
Want to see city hall but never had a reason to?
On Wednesday, Jan 28, Austin Energy will host a town hall meeting at city hall (301 W. 2nd Street) to solicit public comments and input on their future energy planning. Here’s the full schedule. If you can’t make one, make the other.
January 28, 2009 (Wednesday) City Hall Council Chambers (301 West 2nd Street); 6-9 PM
February 3, 2009 (Tuesday) Town Lake Center – Assembly Room (721 Barton Springs Road)
February 5, 2009 (Thursday) Carver Branch Library (1161 Angelina)
Public Citizen, in case you were unaware, recommends mega energy efficiency programs (since there’s so much available in Texas), larger investment in renewable power (especially solar), and development of energy storage technologies like compressed air energy storage, thermal storage, advanced batteries, ultracapacitors, and flywheels. Learn more here. Austin Energy’s info is here.
-Matt
Posted in Efficiency, Energy, Global Warming, Renewables | Tagged Austin Energy, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, solar energy, Texas |
This morning President Obama outlined his energy and environmental policy and how it fit into his broader effort to jump start our flailing economy. It was a like taking a breath of fresh air to hear someone actually addressing the environmental problems we face reasonably. Finally!
He focused on the problems we face as an opportunity to secure our interests and security, create jobs, and restore America’s moral standing in the world. Outlining his plan in four pragmatic steps, he stated unequivocally that “it will be the policy of [his] administration to reverse our dependence on foreign oil while building a new energy economy that will create millions of jobs.”
1) The plan aims to create 460,000 jobs that will provide the workforce to double the domestic production capacity of energy. Among the projects he listed were 3000 miles of transmission lines to move this energy and to increase the energy efficiency of government buildings and private residences.
2) It aims to revitalize the American Auto Industry by encouraging energy efficient innovation, hoping the new cars will be produced in the US and meet more stringent emissions standards by model year 2011. He ended by saying that by 2020 all cars would get at least 35 mpg, reducing daily oil consumptions by 2 million barrels a day.
3) Referencing the Bush Era EPA’s rejection of California’s and 13 other state’s waiver requests to increase emissions standards, he said “Washington stood in their way”. California had sued the EPA for inaction…it took them two years to review their application. And they rejected it. He wants the EPA to empower rather than stifle states to make these changes. He said that the EPA will review the California waiver rejection and insinuated that it would be approved.
4) He argued that energy independence was important to secure our interests and safety, as hostile governments maintain power over the US because we depend on them for oil. Dwindling resources, hostile regimes, and unhealthy climate problems are the facts that underpin his plan and it is his intention to use these to guide pragmatic problem solving. He emphasized that facts, not ideology would be used to inform the conversation on these issues. (What a concept!) He said the aim ought to be for America to set the standard and call nations like India and China to greater participation in what needs to be a global effort to clean up our environment.
Mirroring the talking points of Public Citizen, Mr. Obama has taken the first sensible step toward a real remedy for this problem. We are happy to see someone is finally thinking in the Whitehouse. How refreshing…
You can read the president’s full remarks here.
Go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/energy_and_environment/ to see the Obama/Biden Energy and Environmental Plan.
Posted in Global Warming | Tagged California Waiver, climate change, Energy, environment, Environmental Policy, EPA, Executive order, fuel efficiency, Global Warming, green, obama, Texas |
American homes lose $13 billion in wasted energy every year, averaging a whopping $150 per family. What’s more, the average family spends about $1,900 per year on utility bills.
In these economic times, it’s hard to fork out that kind of money.
What’s even more outrageous is that energy companies are currently lobbying Congress for more handouts and more “pork,” while everyday citizens are feeling the stranglehold of energy costs.
There is a solution – but we need to act fast.
Congress is considering setting aside more than $10 billion ($6 billion in grants, $4 billion in tax credits) for homeowners to weatherize their homes as part of the Obama administration’s economic stimulus package. The “green energy stimulus” also would include measures to promote renewable energy and a public works project to make public buildings more energy-efficient.
Act today and urge lawmakers to include energy-efficiency initiatives for you and other homeowners in the stimulus package. Tell them to resist pleas for “pork” from the nuclear and oil industries, which have gotten plenty over the past few years – at your expense.
Posted in Efficiency, Energy | Tagged economic recession, Economic Stimulus Package, Energy Costs, Energy Efficiency, Green Energy Stimulus, obama, renewable energy, Texas, Weatherization |
« Newer Posts - Older Posts »
