Maybe you read the reports from the renewable energy industry like I do, but just in case you missed it: China is officially staking its flag on the Texas wind market. Fortunately it can’t export the construction and installation of what will be one of the biggest wind power plants in Texas (and the U.S.), but China will be building all 240 wind turbines for this 36,000-acre project and shipping them here for installation.
Energy Exchange
Texas Wind, Chinese Turbines
TCEQ Attention to Barnett Shale Air Pollution: Better Late Than Never
The town of DISH, Texas (population circa 200) is located in the midst of the major natural gas drilling boom occurring in the Barnett Shale. DISH recently attracted national attention after publicizing results of air pollution measurements taken near a natural gas facility within the city. DISH leaders hired a consultant to analyze air quality due to concerns about possible harmful effects of emissions from natural gas production on the health of its residents. Their measurements uncovered more than a dozen chemicals at levels that exceeded the Effects Screening Levels used by the Texas Commission on Environmental Read More
No Need for New Conventional Coal Plants
A New York Times Green Inc. article yesterday — “Big Utilities Pull Back on Coal Plant Plans” — stated that many Southwest utilities were shifting away from coal-generated power and moving toward renewables and energy efficiency. Many plants that were planned are now canceled or on hold.
So my question for all Texans is, “Why would we foolishly try to build even one more conventional coal plant?”
Just the facts: PUC summit panel one
On September 22, 2009, the Texas Public Utility Commission plans a climate change summit asking the question, “Is Waxman-Markey Good for Texas?” After review of the topics and panelists invited, Environmental Defense Fund offers without editorial comment, the following facts on those representatives speaking in the first panel, “Academic/Not for Profit/Think Tank”:
- The Heritage Foundation has received more than $57 Million from oil and chemical related foundations, including the Scaife Family Foundations, the John M. Olin Foundation and the Koch Family Foundations, as well as more than $500,000 from ExxonMobil. – SourceWatch.org, ExxonSecrets.org
- Read More
An Open Letter to Texas Leaders on ACESA Joint Meeting
Yesterday I sent out this open letter about a joint meeting on the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACESA) being proposed by the Public Utility Commission, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Railroad Commission’s Chairmen.
Let me know what you think. See the formal version here.
Dear Chairman Smitherman, Chairman Shaw, and Chairman Carillo,
I am glad to hear about your proposed joint meeting on the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACESA) and that you are interested in hearing from all parties. I would like to add my voice to those legislators around the state such as Senators Rodney Ellis and Kirk Watson, and Representatives Rafael Anchia and Mark Strama who are asking that this joint meeting be a fair review of the facts regarding the bill and the economic impacts of climate change on Texas. I would also like to see this joint meeting rise above the recent politically motivated press releases and op-eds by some Texas politicians, which relied on so-called “studies” that admittedly and intentionally did not analyze the job and economic benefits of the ACESA. Read More
Let’s Get Real
It sounds like our Texas Senators have been reading forged constituent letters from the coal industry more than they’ve been listening to what Texas citizens are really saying. In July, Senator Cornyn claimed that Texans “are growing concerned that they will be significantly impacted by higher energy and farm input costs.” Meanwhile, Senator Hutchison seems to think that the bill passed by the House “disproportionately attacks energy-producing states like Texas.” Well, that’s not what real Texans are thinking.
National and statewide polls tell the real story: Texans agree with the rest of the country on the need for strong federal action on climate Read More