CLIMATE VOICES

REP. SHERYL COLE:

Climate Change is real, and we must do whatever we can to address it. Future generations deserve to have clean water and to not live under the fear of alternating years of severe drought and super storms from the gulf. I am proud that Austin aggressively invests in green energy, and I have defended Austin Energy at the Texas Legislature. While on City Council, one of the first issues I pursued was strengthening our water conservation efforts. The Texas Legislature can do more to divest from big oil and invest in Texas’ vast potential for wind and solar energy, and I will be voting in favor of this change every step of the way.

REP. VIKKI GOODWIN:

Texans must protect the environment to preserve clean air, clean water, and green spaces. Additionally, we must start a dialogue about ways to reduce our carbon emissions. During the 86th Legislative Session, climate change was not even whispered about in the Capitol. I joint-authored a bill with Rep. Rafael Anchia to establish a Commission on Climate Change, but the bill didn’t get a hearing in committee. That must change.

REP. NICOLE COLLIER:

Climate change is a real and serious threat that is causing drought, crop failure, heat waves, more torrential storms, and extreme climate events. This is why I will stand with the scientific community in seeking solutions to cut pollution in our state. I support our state’s investment in clean energy like solar and wind.

REP. JOHN BUCY:

I’m fighting for a Texas that is clean and sustainable.

As much as we enjoy the outdoors and nature of Texas, policies are not currently in line with environmental stewardship and sustainable growth best practices.

To protect our environment, we need:

• Implementation of local water and energy conservation policies, recycling and composting programs, and reduction of single-use plastics

• Education and incentives to enable people and businesses to participate in better sustainability practices

• Support for public works projects for government agencies such as having buildings transition to xeriscape lots, upgrading HVACs to reduce power usage, and maintaining or replacing water pipe infrastructure (and purple pipe as appropriate)

• Investment in and expansion of alternative energy programs

REP. MICHELLE BECKLEY:

Supplies of fossil-fuels are dwindling, and a transition to renewable sources of energy is inevitable. To ensure that we meet Texas’ growing energy demands, we must continue to improve and expand our existing renewable energy programs. We must encourage individuals, businesses and municipalities to obtain solar and wind power, and entice manufacturers of clean energy products to locate their businesses here. Clean energy is also profitable for those who embrace it, creating jobs 12 times faster than the rest of America’s economy according to Forbes magazine. Texas must adopt pro-clean energy policies as soon as possible, or our economy and our health will suffer.

REP. ROLAND GUTIERREZ:

As a San Antonio City councilman, I promoted innovative clean air policies that made a difference in people’s daily lives, including our successful fight for clean air municipal vehicles such as natural gas-running garbage trucks and hybrid city vehicles. I will continue to fight for common-sense efforts to reduce emissions and improve our air quality, support legislation to clean up toxic pollution on public school buses that puts children at risk of asthma and other debilitating diseases, oppose efforts by out-of-state investors to build dirty coal-burning plants that would foul our air, reject corporate special interests trying to impose costly tolls on existing highways, and increase state and federal funding for parks and recreation areas.

REP. DONNA HOWARD:

Donna knows that healthy families begin with a healthy environment. That’s why Environment Texas gave her a perfect rating on their scorecard. She has focused on improving regional air quality, worked across the region for sustainable resources, clean water, better accountability for industry, and supporting efforts to understand, mitigate and prepare for Climate Change. Donna has also been a strong advocate for the outdoors, supporting ways for Texans to spend time enjoying their state’s natural beauty.

REP. JARVIS JOHNSON:

Rep. Johnson believes that we all have a right to clean air. There is no reason why a plant located anywhere near a park, community center, or any other public hub, should be able to fill the air with dust and debris. Improving the permit process for concrete batch plants will continue to be a legislative focus of Rep Johnson.

He voted against any measures to expedite or deregulate the aggregate industry further. He supported measures to strengthen the community's voice in the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality permitting process. Lastly, he supported additional appropriations for mobile air monitoring equipment used by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

REP. MARY ANN PEREZ:

As a member of the House Committee on Energy Resources, Mary Ann focuses on several important policy areas aimed at keeping the region a safe and strong energy producer for the state and nation. The committee is responsible for legislation pertaining to the transportation, development and storage of oil and natural gas, as well as, alternative forms of energy, matters involving pipelines, electric regulation and energy efficiency. Serving on this committee allows Mary Ann to contribute to the conversation from the perspective of Southeast Harris County and House District 144, home of the largest petrochemical and industrial energy complex in the United States.

During the 86th Legislative Session, Mary Ann proudly supported House Bill 3745, which renewed the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) and its funds. TERP funding is utilized by various industries in the region and serves as a great incentive for helping reduce pollution and improve air quality.

REP. ANA-MARIA RAMOS:

Texas has grown to become the national leader in wind power, but our work is not done yet. As a state, we have the chance to become the nation's leader in green energy. The two fastest-growing jobs in America last year were solar and wind installers. In HD102 alone, we have over 2,990 clean energy jobs, and it’s time we bring more of these jobs to Texans - especially in the wake of COVID-19.

 We must support the goals of the Green Texas Act to ensure we quickly work together to move towards 100% renewable energy, increase our energy efficiency goals, and protect our front-line communities facing the immediate effects.

REP. RICHARD PEÑA RAYMOND:

Texas is and has always been a leader in the energy industry. As times change, so do our needs for energy. Laredo is home to one of the largest solar energy farms in Texas. Creating opportunities to apply and research the best and cleanest sources for energy and providing safe methods of delivery is crucial to reduce global warming and provide for future generations. To learn more about Texas and Energy, visit one of the links below.

REP. JON ROSENTHAL:

Texas is uniquely position to lead a Clean Energy Revolution. Our leadership won’t just result in improving our environment and fighting climate change, although that remains a top concern of mine.

But this also has a clear economic benefit. As the oil and gas industry contracts, more and more energy jobs will be tied directly to Clean Energy. That’s why it’s important to encourage commercial growth by incentivizing clean energy and pushing for more environmentally friendly business practices in Texas.

REP. GENE WU:

Representative Wu was proud to represent the Greater Houston area as the only member of the delegation appointed to the House Energy Resources Committee:

“Energy production is vital to our state; it is now already 30% of our state’s economy. I want to make sure that our energy sector and local economy continues to grow and provide good jobs for Texans in the most responsible way possible.”