Marita Mirzatuny is a project manager for Environmental Defense Fund U.S. Climate and Energy program, and who represents wind and solar proponents, indicates here that August has been an eventful month in Texas. And, no, she is not referring to news about Governor Rick Perry, rather some of his appointees. The Texas Public Utility Commission - PUC, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality - TCEQ, Railroad Commissioners - RRC - Barry Smitherman and Christy Craddick, and State Representative Jason Isaac held a joint session to discuss the EPAs new Clean Power Plan - CPP.
The CPP will limit for the first time ever carbon emissions for existing power plants. Texas, the number one polluter in the country, needs to cut 195 billion pounds of carbon in the next 18 years, according to a Texas Tribune analysis. However, EPA suggests Texas could easily meet its goal through a combination of actions - 1. making coal plants more efficient - clean coal?..sure, 2. using more natural gas plants, only viable fossil fuel, 3. increasing the use of renewable resources - wind and solar, at what cost?, and 4. expanding energy efficiency - lame.
Mirzatuny suggests that Texas has a choice - a. either roll up some sleeves and double down on the state clean-energy leadership, whatever that means, creating jobs and wealth, or b. continue to play petty politics to buy the fossil fuel industry more time - maybe renewables make no sense economically. Throwing good money after bad. Notice the conspicuous lack of a mention of expanding the nuclear power base...
Has anyone checked to see how much money is going to the so-called Environmental Defense Fund from the wind and solar industries?
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