It’s the holiday season, and a move by state regulators to reject Valero’s petition for a special tax exemption is bringing some end of year cheer to supporters of clean air and public schools.

Friends of the Texas League of Conservation Voters and Care2 deserve credit for sending a message loud and clear to state regulators.  More than 2,400 people signed our online petition and told Gov. Rick Perry and his commissioners at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality that Texas kids and our environment come first, not special interest tax breaks for big oil companies.

At a time when state budgets, including Texas, are facing multi-billion dollar shortfalls, Valero pressed state leaders for a special tax break that would have drained at least $135 million from Texas public schools. The tax exemption would have been for the installation of equipment which actually increases emissions at Valero’s Texas refineries.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality took the right action.  We could not have won if Texans had not made their voices heard on this critical issue, pressing state leaders to do right by our state’s schools, clean air and public health.

And, there’s more good news for supporters of clean air and public health with today’s announcement from the Environmental Protection Agency.  The EPA announced landmark Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, the first national standards aimed at protecting American families from power plant emissions of mercury and toxic air pollution like arsenic, acid gas, nickel, selenium, and cyanide. Six of the nation’s top 10 most mercury-emitting power plants are located in Texas. Today’s announcement by the EPA is a clear victory for Texans – and all Americans – who care about public health and the air we breathe.

Thank you for fighting for a safer, healthier environment.

Sincerely,

David Weinberg, Executive Director

AUSTIN, TX (Dec. 13, 2011)—The following statement on the Texas Railroad Commission’s adoption of the rule requiring disclosure of fluids used in hydraulic fracturing may be attributed to David Weinberg, Executive Director of the Texas League of Conservation Voters:

“The Texas League of Conservation Voters appreciates the Railroad Commission’s leadership and swift action in adopting a public disclosure rule on hydraulic fracturing fluids that embodies elements of greater transparency and accountability.

“It’s in every Texan’s best interest for our state to move closer to a more complete understanding of the impact and public health implications of hydraulic fracturing fluids used in natural gas production.   We’re especially pleased to see the inclusion of non-MSDS chemicals on Frac Focus.

“In a state where oil and gas are king and the energy industry is quite powerful, it might come as a surprise that hydraulic fracturing disclosure would garner the sort of broad-based, bipartisan support it has amassed and to see the swift action by our state’s oil and gas regulators today; instead, I think it is a testament to the far-reaching implications of this rule and the general public’s heightened concerns over safer drilling practices.”

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Media contact: David Weinberg, (512) 477-4424

The Texas League of Conservation Voters is proud to join Air Alliance Houston on Nov. 16 as we honor one of Houston’s stalwart conservation and environmental leaders in the Texas Legislature.  Get your ticket today!

TLCV & Air Alliance Houston Honor Rep. Jessica Farrar + Houston, Texas + Nov. 16

Houston and surrounding areas are a key battleground in the fight for clean air in our state. TLCV and Air Alliance Houston (AAH) are committed to advancing that fight for improved air quality. Our allies at Air Alliance Houston are working to protect public health and environmental integrity through research, education and advocacy.

We invite you to help both organizations advocate for Texas’ environment and pay tribute to a true conservation leader by joining us in for an upcoming joint fundraising reception from 5:30 – 7:30 PM, Wednesday, November 16 at the home of Elena and Kenneth Marks (6510 Auden St., Houston, 77005).

We’re honoring Rep. Jessica Farrar, who has served Houston’s District 148 for nine terms and is the longest serving Hispanic member from Harris County in the Texas House of Representatives. Her leadership roles include the Vice-Chairmanship of the House Committee on Environmental Regulation in 2011, and, as her outstanding voting record reflects, she has demonstrated a true commitment to sound environmental policy throughout her legislative career.

Click here to purchase tickets or join the list of sponsors for our reception with AAH, honoring Rep. Farrar.

TLCV & Air Alliance Houston Wish To Thank Our Sponsors:

Greg Broyles  ♦ Peter H. Brown ♦ Grayson Cecil ♦ Patsy Cravens ♦Mike Garver

Leonard Golub ♦ Tom Kelly ♦ Wendy Kelsey ♦ Seth Kretzer

Bob Levy, PhD ♦ Elizabeth and Jason Love ♦ Elena and Kenneth Marks

 Evelyn Merz and John Berlinghoff ♦ The Hon. Richard Morrison

Ronald Parry ♦ Lucy Randel ♦ Sally and Bill Russ

Frances and Pete Schenkkan ♦ Cynthia Scott and Robert Thalmann

Michael Smith ♦Terri and Ray Thomas ♦ Mary Van Kerrebrook

Andrea White ♦ Mary and Tom Whitworth

The Texas League of Conservation Voters works to support conservation and the green jobs industry through our lobbying, advocacy, common agenda, and electoral work.  We rely on the generous support of Texans like you who share our commitment to clean air, clean water, parks and the conservation of our land and natural resources.  And, we hope you’ll join us and support our event on Nov. 16 in Houston so that we can make our green vision a reality in the Lone Star State.

If you live in Travis County, do the Texas Two Stepand boot scoot on over to vote early and in support of two key county conservation propositions.  Then, take the time to cast a yes vote on Proposition 8 on the Texas Constitutional Amendment ballot.

Early voting starts Monday, Oct. 24 and runs through Nov. 4, 2011.  Election Day is Nov. 8, 2011.

Texas Two Step – Travis County Propositions 1 and 2 (TLCV recommends yes votes on both propositions.)

Travis County bond propositions 1 and 2 offer environmental and transportation benefits for Travis County residents. A vote yes on these two propositions would reduce traffic, improve mobility and safety while protecting our drinking water, preserving water quality and protecting working farms, ranches and locally grown food sources.

Proposition 1 is for safety improvements on roadways and bridges, flood prevention, safer routes to schools, and sidewalks. ($132,840,000)

Proposition 2 is for land conservation efforts, improved and increased parklands, and protection of our water quality and water supply. ($82,105,000)

These two bond projects are located throughout unincorporated areas of Travis County, and they support existing long-term plans for sustainable growth in the region.  Both Propositions 1 and 2 are endorsed by the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce as well as a diverse and broad based collection of political, conservation and community groups and leaders.

Visit the Travis County Clerk’s website for a full list of early voting locations, mobile voting units and election day precinct polling locations.

Texas’ constitutional amendment elections don’t always grab the headlines, but this year’s election is one that includes “a must vote yes” proposition. 

Proposition 8 – Water Stewardship Amendment (TLCV recommends a YES vote.)

Access to a clean, reliable water supply is critical to every Texas family, business and community. How we ensure Texans are prepared to meet future water needs is a critical public policy concern. The Water Stewardship Amendment (Proposition 8 on the Nov. 8 ballot) will help Texas:

• Secure a reliable supply of water for our children and grandchildren
• Protect water quality in our streams, rivers and aquifers
• Increase our water supply, which will help keep water rates affordable
• Enhance water conservation by encouraging more efficient water usage

Proposition 8 was passed unanimously by the Texas Legislature and had the support of both Republicans and Democrats.  It’s bipartisan and enjoys broad based support from Texans statewide, including farmers, ranchers, landowners, taxpayers’ organizations and conservation groups like TLCV.

Learn more about Proposition 8 and read endorsements from the state’s major daily newspapers online here and watch “Kink in the Hose” by clicking on the video screenshot above.

Vote Early, Vote Yes

Early voting begins today, Monday, Oct. 24 and runs through Friday, Nov. 4, 2011.  Visit the Texas Secretary of State’s Office Votexas website for more details and links to early voting locations across the state, ballot by mail deadlines and a complete look at what’s on the ballot for the Nov. 8, 2011 Constitutional Amendment election.

David Weinberg

Executive Director, Texas League of Conservation Voters

EPA Hearing + Arlington, Texas + Sept. 29, 2011

The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposals to address air pollution standards should do much to provide clarity to industry and stakeholders and reduce air pollution from oil and natural gas operations.

It’s a worthy effort, and one that despite some state leaders’ long-running feud with EPA is welcomed here by many in the public, community leaders, conservationists and environmental organizations like mine.  Balancing market needs and demands with public health and safety concerns is an essential role of government.

The National Petroleum Council’s (NPC) recently released report, Prudent Development (Sept. 2011, www.npc.org), suggests that if natural gas development is done right, our state and our nation’s vast natural gas reserves could be – in the words of the NPC itself – “transformative for the American economy, energy sector and environment.”

The pivotal point in this is that we do it right.  Doing it right means leveraging reasonable regulations and effective available technologies to reduce emissions.  Doing so means a truly win-win-win situation for the environment, consumers and industry.

Texas has  been a leader in improving drilling practices from hydraulically fractured wells, passing the nation’s first mandatory disclosure law for hydraulic fracking fluids this year. Improving air quality controls for gas and oil drilling is a necessary next step in advancing drilling practices.

Compared to coal, natural gas, delivers significant benefits for air quality, emitting far less nitrogen oxides, little sulfur dioxide and no mercury per unit of electricity produced.  The cleaner-burning benefits of natural gas in particular also improve as we cut down on fugitive emissions from natural gas production, namely methane emissions.  For these reasons, TLCV strongly supports proposed EPA regulations on improvements for natural gas compressors, pneumatic devices, and storage tanks.

TLCV feels strongly that the EPA’s proposal significantly improves the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) under the Clean Air Act.  By requiring the use of reduced emission completions, for example, we would be working to reduce the emissions of volatile organic compounds, though further clarity of the specific terminology and applicability of the rule to “workover” wells and liquid unloading would do much to help address the environmental community’s concerns and, no doubt, provide a level of clarity to benefit both public and industry alike.

Regardless of the EPA regulations ultimately adopted, TLCV strongly believes that Texas on the whole must do a better job of policing drilling – which means better funding of the Texas Railroad Commission – and establishing clarity between the Railroad Commission and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.  Improved stakeholder and constituent input and response are also needed.

And, it’s a resource with such an abundant supply here in Texas that if it is safely produced and properly regulated, that it’s production could stand to generate significant severance tax revenue—supplying much needed general revenue during very difficult economic times and providing potentially more revenue for the critical state regulatory needs.

TLCV is confident this can be accomplished in a way that benefits and addresses the environmental and public health concerns, while providing reasonable regulatory measures and considerable savings to the industry.

Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.

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By David Weinberg, Executive Director, Texas League of Conservation Voters

In the debate over the proposed Keystone Pipeline XL project, there are significant reasons to oppose its approval based solely on significant safety concerns associated with a 1,700-mile heavy-oil pipeline.  The proposed pipeline would traverse sensitive lands, waterways and public spaces across Canada and the U.S, including the Ogallala Aquifer here in Texas all the way up to the Dakotas.

Let’s be clear, opposition and concern over the Keystone Pipeline XL Project is not limited to the environmental and conservation communities I represent, nor should it be viewed in strictly partisan terms.

U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns, a Republican, faults the environmental review and has asked the U.S. government to explore other options.  “We have only one Ogallala Aquifer,” Sen. Johanns said, “and we must take seriously our obligation to protect it.”

The Senator from Nebraska echoes feelings I think you would find from communities and residents all across the plains, those that value and depend on the Ogallala for water.

But, I would also suggest the reason to oppose this $7 billion environmental, public safety, health and energy debacle is even more basic.  Consider the energy source itself.

Tar sand is an absolutely terrible way to generate energy.

Squeezing oil out of tar sand is a wasteful and dirty process.  To get a single barrel of oil from tar sand, you must process between 2 tons to 4 tons of tar sand with 2 to four barrels of water.

The massive pits required to develop tar sand destroys forests and wildlife and leaves a massive blight on the landscape, especially in the boreal forest of Alberta where the tar sands associated with the Keystone XL project originate.   Already, the Alberta Water Research Institute spends $15 million to prevent toxins from running off tar sands’ tailing pools into the nearby public water supplies.

Mining tar sands – and the necessary processing it must undergo to convert to gasoline – releases three time more carbon dioxide than traditional oil production.

Let’s be clear, alongside coal, there are few energy sources that are so dirty, so destructive to our natural environment and pose significant health risks quite like tar sands.

Doesn’t the tar sands price tag with respect to its far-reaching environmental, public safety and public health impacts make it a horrible return on investment for our country? Are there not better options?

Yes, we can meet our domestic energy needs through a cleaner combination of fuel sources.  Abundant and cleaner natural gas is one worthy option, and the long-term viability of solar, wind and geothermal energy make them an important part of our energy mix.

As we look to meet our country’s energy needs, tar sands and the Keystone XL pipeline is simply not the answer.

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The Texas wildfire season is taking on historic proportions, and the recent fires in Central Texas have been particularly devastating.

The Texas League of Conservation Voters recognizes that there are many ways to give to support recovery and relief efforts in the impacted communities, but we feel this one hits especially close to home.  Please consider joining us in support of the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Employee Relief Fund.  Below is a letter from Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission member Ralph Duggins highlighting the devastating impact the fires have had on Bastrop State Park and our friends at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department:

Or, please consider making a secure online donation at this link.

Thank you,

David Weinberg

Executive Director, Texas League of Conservation Voters

AUSTIN, TX—The following statement should be attributed to David Weinberg, Executive Director of the Texas League of Conservation Voters. Mr. Weinberg is responding to comments made today by Texas Governor and Republican Presidential Candidate Rick Perry (R-Texas) on global warming:

“As Texas experiences one of the most terrible droughts in the state’s history, Gov. Perry’s comments regarding global warming are irresponsible since global warming only exacerbates droughts.

“The Lone Star State releases more heat-trapping carbon dioxide pollution – the primary greenhouse gas – than any other state in the union, but perhaps the significant political contributions Gov. Perry has taken from the fossil fuel industry has clouded not only our air but also his vision and understanding of sound science.

“The overwhelming consensus of the scientific community, as well as many in Gov. Perry’s own party, is that global warming is very real and poses a serious threat to our long-term health and prosperity.”

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The Texas League of Conservation Voters works to preserve and enhance the quality of life of Texans by making conservation a top priority with Texas elected officials, political candidates and voters. Find us online at http://www.tlcv.org and follow us on Twitter @tlcv.

Media contact: David Weinberg, dweinberg@tlcv.org

AUSTIN, TX—The Texas League of Conservation Voters today unveiled their 2011 Legislative Scorecard and named select state lawmakers to their best and worst legislators’ list. TLCV Executive Director called this year’s session a “mixed bag of successes and failures for environmental policy in Texas.”

“What is striking about the Texas Legislature this year is the sheer volume of environmental legislation considered and the surprising amount of good bills passed and signed into law,” added Weinberg. “Still, to be certain, the Lone Star State has a long way to go before it’s truly green.”

The TLCV Scorecard offered a comprehensive assessment of environmental legislation that cuts across a wide range of issues. Each vote scored represents a clear choice for our elected officials to uphold the conservation values that millions of Texans share.

Conservation highlights of the 82nd Regular Legislature included:

• The nation’s first law requiring public disclosure of the chemical compounds used in hydraulic fracturing (For additional perspective from TLCV’s Weinberg, see: http://ow.ly/5TrMW);
• Programs to incentivize the use of more alternative fuels and alternative-fuel vehicles;
• A measure to encourage landowners to partner with the state to increase water conservation;
• A number of changes or improvements to help improve access to solar energy;
• The state’s first television recycling program; and
• Numerous bills aimed at improving energy efficiency in the public and private sectors.

Conservation lowlights included:

• Weakening of the contested case hearings process, an important tool for citizens to challenge permits of big polluters;
• Authorization for importation of radioactive waste into Andrews County in West Texas; and
• The House’s passage of a resolution calling on Congress to prevent the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases.

“The single biggest strikeout in this year’s scorecard had to be the state budget,” said Weinberg. “Just as it did for education and health and human services, lawmakers gutted funding for the environment and conservation, including the state’s park system.”

The state’s leading environmental group also announced the best and worst legislators of the 2011 Session. Senator John Carona (R-Dallas), Sen. Kirk Watson (D-Austin), Rep. Mark Strama (D-Austin), Rep. Jim Keffer (R-Eastland) and Rep. Lon Burnam (D-Fort Worth) garnered top honors on the best list for their work and commitment to advancing conservation legislation.

Sen. Carona and Rep. Keffer stood out among the “best” list for their leadership on a wide range of environmental issues. It was Rep. Keffer who worked tirelessly to pass the nation’s first hydraulic fracturing disclosure law, and Sen. Carona demonstrated extraordinary leadership on a number of energy efficiency bills. On the Democrat side of the aisle, Sen. Watson successfully shepherded a landmark bill on water stewardship and television recycling, while Rep. Strama was credited for his leadership in passing legislation that encourages the use of cleaner burning natural gas in transportation.

Rep. Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) topped the list of worst legislators after a late session move to try to give polluters blanket immunity against nuisance lawsuits, a measure that united not only environmentalists but also landowners and property rights advocates against the measure that was ultimately stripped out of the bill.

Joining Rep. Bonnen on TLCV’s Worst Legislators List were Rep. Wayne Christian (R-Houston), Rep. Warren Chisum (R-Pampa), Rep. Kelly Hancock (R-Fort Worth) and Sen. Brian Birdwell (R-Waco).

To read the full list of best and worst legislators, as well as honorable and dishonorable mentions, visit www.tlcv.org. The TLCV Scorecard also broke down the decisive votes or legislation that impacted these awards.

On this year’s scorecard, the average House Democrat score on the TLCV Scorecard was 93 percent. The average House Republican notched a 65 percent score. Environmental legislation found a friendlier forum in the Texas Senate with 94 percent of Senate Democrats and 79 percent of Senate Republicans voting for the environment.

For the full update on the hits, the misses and the strikeouts for pro-environment legislation in the 2011 Legislative Session, read the entire TLCV Scorecard online: www.tlcv.org.

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The Texas League of Conservation Voters works to preserve and enhance the quality of life of Texans by making conservation a top priority with Texas elected officials, political candidates and voters. Find us online at http://www.tlcv.org and follow us on Twitter @tlcv.

Media contact: David Weinberg, (512) 477-4424

AUSTIN, TX—The following statement should be attributed to David Weinberg, Executive Director of the Texas League of Conservation Voters. Mr. Weinberg is responding to today’s news from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that all “flexible permit” companies in Texas have agreed to apply for approved air permits.

“Today’s news from the EPA that all ‘flexible permit’ companies in Texas have agreed to apply for approved air permits is proof positive that industry and environmental regulators can work together toward cleaner air for the Lone Star State.

“The notion that somehow these federal clean air permitting requirements would kill jobs and create uncertainty for Texas business is proving to be patently false.   Texas businesses, by meeting the requirements and doing so in many cases ahead of schedule are signaling that they are willing to move beyond flex-permitting to find a better clean-air solution for Texas.

“Past attempts by some at the Texas State Capitol to grandstand and politicize the EPA’s flexible permitting program as just one more example of federal overreach just doesn’t hold water after today’s announcement from the EPA.

“The Texas League of Conservation Voters is pleased that Texas companies have responded strongly, positively, voluntarily and ahead of schedule to the Clean Air Act requirements.   Everyone wins with today’s news as people all across Texas will benefit from cleaner air while companies enjoy the regulatory certainty they need to invest, expand and create more jobs.”

The full EPA news release announcing the Texas permitting milestone is available online at http://ow.ly/5CDOT.

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Released July 12, 2011
Media contact for TLCV:
David Weinberg, (512) 477-4424 or dweinberg@tlcv.org

The Texas League of Conservation Voters works to preserve and enhance the quality of life of Texans by making conservation a top priority with Texas elected officials, political candidates and voters.  Find us online at http://www.tlcv.org and follow us on Twitter @tlcv.