Climate Change
U.S. regulation of carbon emissions is becoming more likely. As the nation's largest carbon emitter, Texas should prepare now for carbon regulation and quantify the potential costs of adapting to climate change that is already occurring.
Our Recommendations
- Require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to develop and present to the Legislature a report containing a list of "no regrets" emission reduction strategies for greenhouse gases with no costs or savings to the State, consumers, or businesses.
- Establish a statewide greenhouse gas emissions inventory to provide a baseline for measuring reductions under futue federal emissions reduction policies and recognizing early reducers for appropriate credit.
- Require an interim report on the costs of adaptation in the binational border area including health and agricultural costs.
Coal
As a major source of both power and carbon emissions in Texas, coal is an integral part of the conversation about Texas' energy future. The challenge is to accurately monitor coal's current environmental impacts and plan its future in Texas.
Our Recommendations
- Require TCEQ to consider cumulative environmental and health impacts of all projects affecting an area in the permitting process
- Increase the number of air quality monitoring stations, especially in counties that may become non-attainment areas under the Clean Air Act.
- Adopt a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants that do not capture CO2 emissions.
- Develop state regulations governing the sequestration of CO2 in geologic formations.
