Legislative policies

With the 81st Legislative Session well underway, this is one of the most important times for Clean Water Action. Another aspect to this social change group's mission is the request of active political participation. Now is the time that supporters of CWA should be writing their congressman and calling them about bills they want passed.

Observers are cautiously optimistic that our lawmakers will enact measures to expand Texas' commitment to renewable energy and energy efficiency, and increase protections of our air, water and natural areas. Texas continues to lead the nation in emissions of greenhouse gases and total toxins in the air and water. At the same time, no state has more potential for energy production from renewables than Texas, nor is any state in a better position to profit economically from the emerging clean energy economy. Especially with Austin being so environment friendly, it only seems natural that these issues would hold much weight among other bills.

The new administration in Washington makes it more likely that much-needed action to protect our water and chart a clean energy future will move forward at the federal level. However, federal law delegates much authority over environmental protection to the states. Concerned Texans can take nothing for granted and need to make their voices heard with their state legislators.

Clean Water Action will be prioritizing the following issues during the session:

• Conserve Water to Protect the Environment and Our Pocketbooks. Drought, population growth and climate change are straining our state's aquatic resources. Conserving water now helps protect the environment, control utility bills, and reduce the need for expensive water treatment plants. It also saves the energy needed to distribute drinking water. Clean Water Action is calling on legislators to fund a statewide education program to teach the public and policy makers why and how to conserve water. We are also calling our lawmakers to require municipalities to implement water conservation plans that achieve a per capita daily rate of consumption of no more than 140 gallons per capita, as recommended by the Texas Water Development Board. Read more and take action.
• Boost Energy Efficiency Requirements. Numerous reports have proven that efficiency is the most cost-effective method of meeting future energy needs. Efficiency also helps reduce polluting discharges into the air and water, avoids the need to build additional power plants, and creates 'green jobs' locally. Clean Water Action is calling on lawmakers to require all utilities to reduce peak electric consumption by 1% each year through 2015 by measures such as rebate programs for ratepayers who insulate their homes and install energy efficient air conditioning. We also support requirements to make new buildings more energy-efficient. Read more and take action.
• Build a Solar Economy in Texas. Thanks to goals established by the legislature in 1997, Texas leads the nation in total energy produced from wind power. But our sun-drenched state has done little to take advantage of its enormous solar energy potential. Clean Water Action is calling on our lawmakers to require utilities to produce at least 4,000 megawatts of electricity from solar by 2020, and to produce at least 2,000 of these megawatts by means of roof-top solar installations. This will reduce our dependence of fossil fuels and help create a green economy in Texas.
• Increase the Ability of Counties to Manage Growth. Texas loses an average of 160 acres each day to urban sprawl, most of it in incorporated areas near major cities. Giving the counties the option of managing growth through zoning, limits on impervious cover and setback requirements from creeks will help protect our drinking water and natural areas and help reduce traffic congestion.
• Increase Funding for State Parks. Texas ranks near the bottom in spending on public lands. Clean Water Action is urging lawmakers to increase funding for state parks so that we can create new parks near our growing cities. Read more and take action.

Additional Opportunities. Clean Water Action will also be alert to opportunity to pass legislation to reduce emissions of toxic mercury from power plants; require Texas to inventory its greenhouse gas emissions and create a plan to reduce them; prevent the construction of new coal-burning power plants; and slow the rush to build new nuclear plants.