climate change
All Eyes on Copenhagen
We are all closely watching the discussions at the 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) - the major international climate change negotiations in Copenhagen, Denmark. For those observers who are interested in the process but would like more basic information on what the negotiations are and who they key players will be (or learn what LULUCF stands for), see Copenhagen 101 on the Texas Interfaith Power & Light website.
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.
2009 African American Legislative Summit: “The Momentum of Change”
April 27 – 28, 2009
Texas State Capitol
Austin, Texas
Hosted by The Texas Legislative Black Caucus and presented by Prairie View A&M University & Texas Southern University
View the Whole Agenda
Climate Change, the Green Economy, and the African American Community
10:00-11:30AM, Tuesday, April 28
Location: E1.026
Moderators: Senator Rodney Ellis & Representative Yvonne Davis
Panelists:
Martina Cartwright, Director Environmental Law and Justice
Center, Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Texas Southern
University
Leslie G. Fields, Esq., National Environmental Justice Director,
Sierra Club
Carolyn Green, Vice President, Health, Environment & Safety,
Sunoco, Inc.
John Hall, President, John Hall Public Affairs and Chairman,
Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission
Interfaith Call for Climate Action
Sign the Interfaith Call for Climate Action petition!
Join with people of faith from across the nation in urging President-elect Obama to take swift and meaningful action addressing climate change, including the creation of green jobs and development of clean energy.
Very soon, President Obama is expected to sign into law an economic stimulus package for the U.S. Obama and congressional leaders have said they'll include green jobs and clean energy in the package—let them know you're counting on them to keep their word.
