Environment Texas Blog

Tomorrow the US House will vote on an amendment by Reps. Udall (D-NM) and Platts (R-PA) to require 20% of the nation's electricity to come from renewable sources like wind and solar by the year 2020. The vote is expected to be very close and the utilities, manufacturers and other opponents are going all out to defeat the amendment.

You can see from this print ad and hear from this radio ad, their message is let the states continue theit successful renewable energy programs, don't create a one-sized fits all national mandate. Two interesting things about this. First they don't outright attack renewable energy on feasibility or cost grounds: clearly we've won the debate on the promise of and public support for renewables. Second, these same companies fight tooth and nail at the state level to block renewable energy so they're clearly talking out of both sides of their mouth.

The good news is we are incredibly close to winning and our opponents are running scared. Thanks to the Dallas Morning News and San Antonio Express-News for their supportive editorials and to the many elected officials and institutions that have endorsed this effort, including state Reps. David Swinford and Mike Villarreal, state Senators Rodney Ellis and Leticia Van de Putte, Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson, Austin Energy and dozens of other business, religious and community leaders.

Here's a great letter from our allies at the National Association of Clean Air Agencies. 

House_Energy_Bill_letter_7-07-FINAL.pdf