Texas continues to have some of the dirtiest air in the nation and childhood asthma rates continue to rise. We need energy solutions that make sense for our citizens and our pocketbooks.

Here in North Texas, we struggle to meet minimum federal air quality standards. Clean air isn’t just important for our health, it’s important for business. Clean air helps our economy by allowing existing businesses to grow and new businesses to locate here. It helps our workers by keeping them healthy and attracting bright workers who want clean air for themselves and their families.

I suggest the development of public/private partnerships between our government and clean fuel producers to develop cleaner and more efficient means of energy production. The legislature should encourage the research and development in conjunction with our universities and research institutions.

These investments will make sure that Texans have a healthy environment and clean, affordable sources of energy at home for the long term. We can continue to grow and still be green.

In a district that includes portions of hurricane-ravaged Galveston, constituents need a forceful and energetic senator to promote their interests in next year's legislative session. The Chronicle believes the right candidate for the job is Democratic challenger Joe Jaworski, an attorney and fourth-generation Texan from a prestigious line of litigators, including his grandfather, Watergate special prosecutor Leon Jaworski.

The candidate lives in Galveston with his wife and two children and has already compiled a record of distinctive public service there. Jaworski served three terms on Galveston City Council, the last as mayor pro tem. He chaired the city's ethics commission and promises to push ethics reforms with high standards for public officials in Austin....

Texas League of Conservation Voters Endorses Rep. Gallego

(Alpine)--One of the leading voices for environmental protection and conservation in Texas, the Texas League of Conservation Voters, has proudly endorsed State Representative Pete Gallego for re-election this November.

"West Texans should be as proud of Representative Gallego as they are of their beautiful mountains and scenery," said James Canup, Executive Director of the Texas League of Conservation Voters. "They are fortunate to have such a strong advocate in the Texas House who shares their desire to clean our air, clean our water, increase our renewable and alternative energy sources, protect our public parklands, and make Texas more energy efficient."

"I want to thank the Texas League of Conservation Voters for their endorsement, their friendship, and the trust they continue to place in my leadership on environmental issues from energy conservation and efficiency to environmental protection," said Rep. Gallego. "I will continue to fight for cleaner water, cleaner air, protected public parklands, and against low-level nuclear waste dumps in West Texas."

According to the TLCV letter endorsing Rep. Gallego, "Because of you're A+ grade in our 2007 legislative scorecard for voting with Texas' environmental communities, we're pleased to endorse your re-election. Your leadership addressing environmental issues both in your district and across Texas is inspirational, and critically important for our future as Texans."

"Working together with organizations like the Texas League of Conservation Voters, we will make Texas a safer, cleaner, more energy efficient state for all Texas families," said Rep. Gallego. "I am humbled by their support and look forward to continuing our work to make our water and air cleaner, our
parks more accessible, and our energy more efficient." Rep. Gallego's pro-environment positions and accomplishments:

• Rep. Gallego has consistently authored, supported and voted for legislation to increase renewable and alternative energy by increasing the state's renewable portfolio standard
• Rep. Gallego has been a leading proponent of and champion for West Texas wind farms, creating both clean energy and green collar jobs for West Texas Rep. Gallego lead the fight opposing the effort to make HD 74 near Sierra Blanco the nation's primary low level radioactive waste dump
• Rep. Gallego has consistently fought to ensure Big Bend Ranch State Park, the Christmas Mountains, and other Texas parklands remain open and accessible to all Texans
• Rep. Gallego has consistently fought to increase funding for state and local parks
• Rep. Gallego has consistently supported legislation supporting cleaner water and cleaner air
• Rep. Gallego earned a grade of A+ on the Texas League of Conservation Voters 2007 legislative scorecard

"....when this bailout is over, we need the next president — this one is wasted — to launch an E.T., energy technology, revolution with the same urgency as this bailout. Otherwise, all we will have done is bought ourselves a respite, but not a future. The exciting thing about the energy technology revolution is that it spans the whole economy — from green-collar construction jobs to high-tech solar panel designing jobs. It could lift so many boats.

"In a green economy, we would rely less on credit from foreigners “and more on creativity from Americans,” argued Van Jones, president of Green for All, and author of the forthcoming “The Green Collar Economy.” “It’s time to stop borrowing and start building. America’s No. 1 resource is not oil or mortgages. Our No. 1 resource is our people. Let’s put people back to work — retrofitting and repowering America. ... You can’t base a national economy on credit cards. But you can base it on solar panels, wind turbines, smart biofuels and a massive program to weatherize every building and home in America.”