National Energy and Climate Bill Would Help Texas
Addressing Faith Community’s Equity Concerns in Waxman-Markey Bill Would Help Texans
Find out about the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009
Texas faith communities know that energy and global warming are not isolated issues, but instead impact every other area of human life, from the health care ministries treating children with pollution-induced asthma…to the youth groups flocking to the coast on hurricane-recovery missions…to local interfaith low-income weatherization projects…and more.
We are excited at the potential in the Waxman Markey discussion draft bill the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. We believe the Waxman Markey bill will afford important opportunities for Texas to remain a global energy leader as we transition to a clean energy economy while maintaining important safeguards for all members of the community including existing industries and low-income Texans.
Positive Aspects of Waxman Markey for Texas
• National renewable energy standard will help builds Texas’ renewable industries
• Growth in renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors will create more than 60,000 new jobs in Texas.
• Pollution reduction from clean energy and renewables will help Texas nonattainment areas come into compliance with federal clean air laws.
• Increased energy efficiency will reduce future demand on ratepayers by reducing growth in peak electric demand and diminishing future need for new generation.
Improvements Needed in Waxman Markey to Benefit Texas
• 100% auction of carbon credits is needed to ensure that funds are available to level energy costs for low-income rate payers and other adaptation and mitigation efforts.
• Any carbon offsets provided in the bill should be mandated to be of uniformly high quality so that Texas energy producers can compete on a level playing field.
• No new coal plants should be permitted without carbon capture and sequestration technology—allowing old-style plants to be brought online will obligate ratepayers for years of ongoing maintenance and operations for technology that cannot be economically viable in a new energy economy.
James Hansen, Director of NASA Goddard Institute speaks out about cutting levels of carbon emission
During a speech yesterday in Washington that commemorated the 20 years since his declaration to the Senate that global warming had already begun, Jim Hansen, Director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, spoke out about cutting the level of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere. Hansen argued that in order to stabilize the world's climate, the US must cut carbon dioxide emissions to 350 parts per million. This is 30 percent lower than a Senate bill that calls for a cap at 450 ppm, and lower than our current output of 385 ppm.
"I have greater than 99% confidence—99.9% confidence—that the dangerous level is no higher than 350 ppm, and that means we've already passed it," Hansen said.
Hansen called for a "zero-carbon society" and proposed a plan to limit emissions. Under his plan, oil, gas, coal, and other fossil fuels would be taxed at the point of sale. Proceeds would be distributed in dividend payments to individuals, which would encourage the sale of low-carbon cars, among other products.
In response to the recent talk about offshore drilling and expanded American oil production, Hansen was adamant that it is "exactly the wrong thing to do." He said that while short-term gains may be made, they would only continue to damage climate health in the long-term.
"It just extends your addiction slightly and guarantees we'll go past the tipping point of irreversible climate change," he says.
