The United States Military is perhaps the most advanced scientific entity in the world, and can tout advances such as the internet, “smart” armor using nanotechnology and sophisticated "war game" computer simulations to develop strategic plans. 

The military has used scientific theories throughout history to ensure a strong sense of national security in a world filled with international upheaval.  They have used the theory of gravity to develop bullet trajectories and the science of aeronautics to land a man on the Moon.  So it should be some comfort to Texans that our Senators have historically deferred to the military on such issues as the preeminent experts in keeping our nation and resources secure.

All the more reason that it seems strange that Texas' Senators Hutchison and Cornyn are trying to play political football with an issue that both our public and our nation's best military minds see as a grave threat to our national security. 

We now know that the climate change and the national security threats arising from it have been a focus of National Defense University and military intelligence analysts for years.  They find that the costs of inaction will be serious, and not just in terms of direct impacts to our farmland and coastline.  Read more »

It looks like the Texas bureaucrats are at it again. A state agency recently released a report that looks at the downside of federal climate change legislation without even trying to quantify the significant upsides that a number of studies have shown. This seems to be a theme with some Texas agencies – focusing only on the doom and gloom and ignoring the benefits for Texas.  

Last month ERCOT issued a report that was so narrowly focused, the Comptroller’s office didn’t even bother trying to use it as a basis for its report. Now, the Comptroller’s office has released a deeply flawed report using the kind of biased studies that at least one TV station has refused to give paid air time to.  

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Last week, Governor Rick Perry vetoed Senate Bill 2169 (by Sen. Rodney Ellis), which would have established a work group of state agencies that would meet regularly to discuss how to develop the state in a smart, sustainable way.

The group would have comprised all major state agencies involved in directing economic development and planning policies in the state, including the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Texas Department of State Health Services, and the Texas Water Development Read more »

Most people who watch the news are aware that we have both energy and water problems in Texas.  What a lot of people may not realize is that these two issues are related and affect the water we use every day and the energy we bring into our homes. 

In order to better understand this relationship, I helped author a new report with the University of Texas Jackson School called Energy-Water Nexus in Texas that was released today. Check out the video below which gives a quick summary of the report’s findings.

The truth is that energy and water are related in just about every way you can imagine.  The water supply sector utilizes large amounts of energy to transport, treat, and deliver water.  On the flip side, vast quantities of water are required to generate power.

As Texas continues to grow and pressure increases on our water and energy resources, the linkages between water and energy become more important.  The cycle goes like this: A growing community needs more power, which requires more water, which uses more power, and so on.

Understanding this relationship highlights the importance of conserving water and practicing energy efficiency.  For every kilowatt saved, water is also saved.  For every gallon of water not used, energy demand is reduced. Investments in and incentives for energy and water conservation must be our highest priority.

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Texas Energy Exchange invites you to an online conversation about all things energy – as they pertain to the great Lone Star State. Everything from renewable energy to cleaner air quality (because we all know they’re interconnected) will be covered with hopes of encouraging interested parties to share their thoughts, ideas and concerns about the many challenges facing our state and nation.

Feel free to respond, engage or simply lurk as Texas EDF takes on the task of addressing Texas energy issues.