Who owns the sun? 3/25/2008

Solar power is on the verge of hitting the big-time, close to achieving a scale and affordability that will allow it to replace dirty coal-fired power plants and significantly reduce global warming pollution. But a Texas agency has proposed rules that will create a serious barrier to solar’s widespread deployment. One of the ways solar can be cost-effective is if a homeowner is given credit by their utility for excess electricity put back on to the grid (known as “net-metering”). On Friday, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) issued a surprise proposed rule which create heavy burdens on customers wanting to install solar panels and provide financial rewards to the utilities, but provide no guarantees that customers who generate surplus electricity will ever get paid.

Businesses, Environmental Groups Join To Protect Menhaden 3/19/2008

The Save the Bait Coalition today called on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (TPW) to protect what has been called “the most important fish in the sea” in Texas’ coastal waters. A diverse coalition of businesses and advocacy groups is seeking a science-based catch limit, observers to document wasteful fishing practices, and accountability measures to make sure catch limits are not exceeded for menhaden, a primary prey fish for finfish, seabirds, and dolphins.

When It Rains, It Pours 12/04/2007

Scientists expect that global warming will cause a variety of changes to precipitation patterns in the United States. Many areas will receive increased amounts of rain and snow over the course of a year; some areas will receive less. But scientists expect that, all across the country, the rainstorms and snowstorms that do occur will be more intense – increasing the risk of flooding and other impacts.

Troubled Waters 2007 10/11/2007

October 18, 2007 marks the 35th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, a landmark law intended to restore and maintain the physical, chemical and biological integrity of the nation’s waters. In passing the Clean Water Act, Congress set the goals of eliminating the discharge of pollutants into the nation’s waterways by 1985 and making all U.S. waterways fishable and swimmable by 1983. Although we have made significant progress in improving water quality since the passage of the Clean Water Act, we are far from realizing the Act’s original vision.

With their spurs dragging, Texans begin going green 4/28/2008

Metzger hopes that taxpayers will be willing to foot the bill for the light rail, since broad changes, not just personal ones, are necessary to make meaningful reversals in the progression of global warming. "We know the polling shows that overwhelmingly people want cleaner air, water, and energy. The voice of the public often gets drowned out by the megaphone that big industry wields at the capital."

State opens Christmas Mountains to public for first time 4/11/2008

The announcement was greeted as good news by the environmentalist who has led efforts to keep the Christmas Mountains in public hands. "This marks the first time since the state has owned it that the public will be able to go on it," said Luke Metzger, director of Environment Texas.

Texas should be a solar power leader 4/10/2008

Recently, the city of San Antonio became one of 12 new "Solar America Cities," marked by their commitment to the deployment of solar technologies. The distinction from the Department of Energy comes with technical assistance and a grant of up to $200,000.