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Turning environmental values into priorities for Texas
I've been asked one question again and again the past few days:
How's the new Speaker going to be on conservation issues?
I haven't talked to the Speaker-apparent, Rep. Joe Straus of San Antonio, but I've talked to other folks, and I've been reading up. There was an interview he gave to Texas Monthly last year that is illustrative. Read the whole thing here, and here's an excerpt:
Q: You chair the Subcommittee on Energy Conservation and Efficiency. Do you believe Texas has the potential to be a leader in the production of alternative energies?
A: In many respects, Texas already is a leader in the production of renewable energy. We are the national leader in wind energy, and we're making strides in solar power and biomass. I authored and passed a bill that enhances the state's existing energy efficiency programs. It requires all electric providers to participate in efficiency programs, adds new incentives for the sale of energy efficient products, enables customers to better manage their own electric consumption, and updates public building energy codes in order to increase conservation.
I think we are getting to the point where renewable energy represents such a promising market that the large energy companies no longer view it as a small research investment, but a serious source of energy that will help power the energy economy. I see the day fast arriving when alternative energy is a mainstream source to power Texans' lives.
This passes the sniff test: I think Joe Straus really cares about building a green economy in Texas, and continuing our state's historical position as the leading energy state. Contrast Rep. Straus's lucid, sensible remarks above with those of Rep. Tony Goolsby, who tried to sound like he was turning green, but couldn't quite sound convincing. Here's Goolsby in an interview with KERA radio in Dallas from October talking about his commitment to sound conservation policy on air quality:
"I know we're working hard with the Texas air quality. Power plants that are being built are going to add on to the nuclear which helps the fresh clean air. The new coal plants are not going to be putting out as much carbon monoxide."
Voters sent Goolsby back home to Dallas on Election Day, selecting Carol Kent instead. And Texas House members are certain to elevate Rep. Straus to Speaker on Tuesday. There's a lesson there:
Texas voters want politicians of every stripe to do something to clean up our air quality, generate cleaner power... and improve the economy while they're at it.
Leaders who understand that get elected. Those who don't, increasingly, get to give up the gavel.
The Texas League of Conservation Voters looks forward to working with Rep. Straus as Speaker, and have high hopes that his appointments to key committees will be folks we can work with to pass good laws for "the fresh clean air."
Thursday, October 30, 2008How's the new Speaker going to be on conservation issues?
I haven't talked to the Speaker-apparent, Rep. Joe Straus of San Antonio, but I've talked to other folks, and I've been reading up. There was an interview he gave to Texas Monthly last year that is illustrative. Read the whole thing here, and here's an excerpt:
Q: You chair the Subcommittee on Energy Conservation and Efficiency. Do you believe Texas has the potential to be a leader in the production of alternative energies?
A: In many respects, Texas already is a leader in the production of renewable energy. We are the national leader in wind energy, and we're making strides in solar power and biomass. I authored and passed a bill that enhances the state's existing energy efficiency programs. It requires all electric providers to participate in efficiency programs, adds new incentives for the sale of energy efficient products, enables customers to better manage their own electric consumption, and updates public building energy codes in order to increase conservation.
I think we are getting to the point where renewable energy represents such a promising market that the large energy companies no longer view it as a small research investment, but a serious source of energy that will help power the energy economy. I see the day fast arriving when alternative energy is a mainstream source to power Texans' lives.
This passes the sniff test: I think Joe Straus really cares about building a green economy in Texas, and continuing our state's historical position as the leading energy state. Contrast Rep. Straus's lucid, sensible remarks above with those of Rep. Tony Goolsby, who tried to sound like he was turning green, but couldn't quite sound convincing. Here's Goolsby in an interview with KERA radio in Dallas from October talking about his commitment to sound conservation policy on air quality:
"I know we're working hard with the Texas air quality. Power plants that are being built are going to add on to the nuclear which helps the fresh clean air. The new coal plants are not going to be putting out as much carbon monoxide."
Voters sent Goolsby back home to Dallas on Election Day, selecting Carol Kent instead. And Texas House members are certain to elevate Rep. Straus to Speaker on Tuesday. There's a lesson there:
Texas voters want politicians of every stripe to do something to clean up our air quality, generate cleaner power... and improve the economy while they're at it.
Leaders who understand that get elected. Those who don't, increasingly, get to give up the gavel.
The Texas League of Conservation Voters looks forward to working with Rep. Straus as Speaker, and have high hopes that his appointments to key committees will be folks we can work with to pass good laws for "the fresh clean air."
Labels: carol kent, clean energy future, joe straus, tony goolsby
The League on the Radio: Rep. Goolsby's Record
KERA Radio in Dallas-Fort Worth ran a story this morning following up on a report from Monday in which Rep. Tony Goolsby of Dallas stated that he's always been in support of clean air and clean energy initiatives.
The League responded that Goolsby's voting record doesn't reflect much of a commitment to air quality or renewable energy. Indeed, Goolsby's average score for the past five sessions of the Texas Legislature on the League's scorecards is 24%. Last session, he voted with the environmental community 30% of the time, and he voted against 10 of 13 clean air/energy measures tracked by the League that session.
Thankfully, the news professionals at KERA decided it couldn't let Rep. Goolsby's statements remain unchallenged, and today KERA ran a new story talking about Goolsby's record, and including quotes from the League's director, James Canup.
To listen to and read a transcript of the radio news story, visit KERA online here.
Because Rep. Goolsby can't be counted on to fight for better air quality in the Metroplex (despite his promises to the contrary), the League's Political Committee has endorsed Goolsby's opponent, Carol Kent for his seat.
Carol Kent will be a true clean air leader for District 102 and for Texas.
Monday, October 27, 2008The League responded that Goolsby's voting record doesn't reflect much of a commitment to air quality or renewable energy. Indeed, Goolsby's average score for the past five sessions of the Texas Legislature on the League's scorecards is 24%. Last session, he voted with the environmental community 30% of the time, and he voted against 10 of 13 clean air/energy measures tracked by the League that session.
Thankfully, the news professionals at KERA decided it couldn't let Rep. Goolsby's statements remain unchallenged, and today KERA ran a new story talking about Goolsby's record, and including quotes from the League's director, James Canup.
To listen to and read a transcript of the radio news story, visit KERA online here.
Because Rep. Goolsby can't be counted on to fight for better air quality in the Metroplex (despite his promises to the contrary), the League's Political Committee has endorsed Goolsby's opponent, Carol Kent for his seat.
Carol Kent will be a true clean air leader for District 102 and for Texas.
Labels: clean air, clean energy future, tony goolsby
Rep. Goolsby no friend of "fresh clean air"
The League is issuing a Press Release in response to Rep. Tony Goolsby's interview on KERA Radio this morning, where he states, in part:
“I know that we're working hard with the Texas air quality. And the new power plants that are being built, they're going to be adding on to nuclear, which helps the fresh clean air. The new coal plants, they're not going to be putting out as much of the carbon monoxide.”
Here's the press release.
Rep. Tony Goolsby No Friend of "Fresh Clean Air"
Incumbent Misstates Support for Clean Air Environmental Initiatives
Rep. Tony Goolsby may have misled voters and misstated his environmental record in an interview aired today on KERA Radio in Dallas-Fort Worth. In the interview, reporter Bill Brown states, “Goolsby defends his records, saying he's always…supported clean environmental initiatives, including alternative forms of energy like wind, solar and nuclear.”
"Rep. Goolsby’s record, in fact, does not indicate much support for clean air at all," said James Canup, Executive Director of the Texas League of Conservation Voters. “Looking just at the votes in the last legislative session in 2007, Rep. Goolsby voted against clean air and clean energy the vast majority of the time, earning a grade of F in the League’s 2007 Legislative Scorecard,” he added. Specifically, in 13 particular votes last session (detailed at the end of this release), Rep. Goolsby voted against clean air and clean energy 10 times (and in the remaining 3 votes, 2 were consensus measures that passed the House unanimously). Moreover, when you look at all of the votes with environmental impacts cast last session, Rep. Goolsby’s voting record is an abysmal 30%.
Going back to prior sessions of the legislature, Rep. Goolsby scored 23% in the 2005 session, 31% in the 2003 session, 4% in the 2001 session and 31% in the 1999 session, giving him an average score of 24% for the past five legislative sessions.
In the interview with KERA, Rep. Goolsby went on to say, “I know that we're working hard with the Texas air quality. And the new power plants that are being built, they're going to be adding on to nuclear, which helps the fresh clean air. The new coal plants, they're not going to be putting out as much of the carbon monoxide.”
This statement, though unclear, appears to indicate Rep. Goolsby’s support for improving Texas’ air quality. But his voting record says otherwise.
“Representative Goolsby may say he is for ‘fresh clean air,’ but his voting record is among the worst of any House member when it comes to supporting clean air legislation. The real clean air candidate for District 102 is Carol Kent,” said TLCV’s Canup. TLCV-PAC endorsed Carol Kent for District 102 over Rep. Goolsby.
The Texas League of Conservation Voters (TLCV) is the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization devoted to turning environmental values into priorities for Texas. Through its Political Committee, the League works to elect pro-conservation candidates to the Texas House and Senate. The Political Committee has endorsed a slate of pro-conservation candidates and incumbents for Texas who will vote for clean air, clean water and clean energy in Austin.
Read and listen to the KERA interview here.
“I know that we're working hard with the Texas air quality. And the new power plants that are being built, they're going to be adding on to nuclear, which helps the fresh clean air. The new coal plants, they're not going to be putting out as much of the carbon monoxide.”
Here's the press release.
Rep. Tony Goolsby No Friend of "Fresh Clean Air"
Incumbent Misstates Support for Clean Air Environmental Initiatives
Rep. Tony Goolsby may have misled voters and misstated his environmental record in an interview aired today on KERA Radio in Dallas-Fort Worth. In the interview, reporter Bill Brown states, “Goolsby defends his records, saying he's always…supported clean environmental initiatives, including alternative forms of energy like wind, solar and nuclear.”
"Rep. Goolsby’s record, in fact, does not indicate much support for clean air at all," said James Canup, Executive Director of the Texas League of Conservation Voters. “Looking just at the votes in the last legislative session in 2007, Rep. Goolsby voted against clean air and clean energy the vast majority of the time, earning a grade of F in the League’s 2007 Legislative Scorecard,” he added. Specifically, in 13 particular votes last session (detailed at the end of this release), Rep. Goolsby voted against clean air and clean energy 10 times (and in the remaining 3 votes, 2 were consensus measures that passed the House unanimously). Moreover, when you look at all of the votes with environmental impacts cast last session, Rep. Goolsby’s voting record is an abysmal 30%.
Going back to prior sessions of the legislature, Rep. Goolsby scored 23% in the 2005 session, 31% in the 2003 session, 4% in the 2001 session and 31% in the 1999 session, giving him an average score of 24% for the past five legislative sessions.
In the interview with KERA, Rep. Goolsby went on to say, “I know that we're working hard with the Texas air quality. And the new power plants that are being built, they're going to be adding on to nuclear, which helps the fresh clean air. The new coal plants, they're not going to be putting out as much of the carbon monoxide.”
This statement, though unclear, appears to indicate Rep. Goolsby’s support for improving Texas’ air quality. But his voting record says otherwise.
“Representative Goolsby may say he is for ‘fresh clean air,’ but his voting record is among the worst of any House member when it comes to supporting clean air legislation. The real clean air candidate for District 102 is Carol Kent,” said TLCV’s Canup. TLCV-PAC endorsed Carol Kent for District 102 over Rep. Goolsby.
The Texas League of Conservation Voters (TLCV) is the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization devoted to turning environmental values into priorities for Texas. Through its Political Committee, the League works to elect pro-conservation candidates to the Texas House and Senate. The Political Committee has endorsed a slate of pro-conservation candidates and incumbents for Texas who will vote for clean air, clean water and clean energy in Austin.
Read and listen to the KERA interview here.
View the TLCV 2007 Legislative Scorecard here.
###
The Votes
- Toxic School Bus Pollution. Would have protected children from exposure to dangerous chemicals by providing funds to clean up diesel emissions from Texas school buses. Rep. Goolsby voted AGAINST.
- Dirty Coal (I). Provided fast-tracking and tax breaks for coal-fired power plants. Rep. Goolsby voted FOR dirty coal plants.
- Dirty Coal (II). Improved emissions for approved coal-fired plants. Rep. Goolsby voted FOR dirty coal plants.
- Reducing Toxic Air Emissions. Amendments proposed to SB 12 that would have reduced toxic air emissions. Rep. Goolsby voted AGAINST reducing emissions.
- Tracking Pollution Levels. Would have installed more air quality monitors in Dallas area and other parts of Texas. Rep. Goolsby voted AGAINST monitoring air quality.
- Dirty Coal (III). The Senate/House conference committee bill for coal plants did not include enough protections for clean air. Rep. Goolsby voted FOR dirty coal plants.
- Cumulative impact of toxins on Texans’ health. Would have required TCEQ to consider the cumulative impacts of toxins and other pollutants before issuing air quality permits. Rep. Goolsby voted AGAINST stricter permitting requirements.
- Retrofit diesel trucks. Rep. Goolsby voted, along with every other House member, to increase the funding for retrofitting diesel engines.
- Clean Energy. Would have directed $60 million from Emerging Technology Fund to cutting edge renewable energy technologies. Rep. Goolsby voted AGAINST this clean, renewable energy proposal.
- Clean Energy. Would have required at least 15% of Emerging Technology Fund to be used for cutting edge renewable energy technologies. Rep. Goolsby voted AGAINST this clean, renewable energy proposal.
- Making Renewable Energy Count. Fixed a loophole limiting the growth of wind energy in Texas. Rep. Goolsby voted AGAINST this popular measure, with only 16 other House members.
- Energy Efficiency. Improved electric utility conservation programs building codes and energy saving efforts. Rep. Goolsby, along with every other House member, for improved efficiency programs.
- Tax Incentives for Nuclear Plants. Provided property tax breaks to build nuclear power plants. Rep. Goolsby voted FOR tax subsidies for nuclear plants.
Labels: clean air, tony goolsby
