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Posts Tagged ‘public citizen texas’

Webinar on Texas Low Level Radioactive Waste Compact Commission Proposed Rule

Posted in Nuclear, tagged , , on May 11, 2010 |

The day after our radioactive waste importation webinar, the Texas Low Level Radioactive Waste Compact Commission announced that it would delay consideration of the rule that would have allowed the import of low level nuclear waste from the entire nation into Texas.  The rule will not be considered now until at least June.  This is great news!

The announcement came shortly after a letter signed by 15 members of the Texas Legislature was sent to the Compact Commission. The Commission’s interim director sited the need to “consider and respond to” the “more than 2,000 comments” (2,490 to be precise) submitted on the proposed rule as a primary reason for the delay.  The majority of those comments were generated by the Sierra Club, and many others were generated or submitted by the other groups that helped organize the webinar. (more…)

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Get to Know an Activist: Ryan Rittenhouse

Posted in Global Warming, tagged , , on May 6, 2010 |

The latest activist in our series is Public Citizen Texas’ Ryan Rittenhouse. Ryan is our anti-coal advocate from Cleveland, Ohio and has a B.A. in Communications from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania (a liberal arts school!). He is a part of the No Coal Coalition and is currently organizing opposition to the Tenaska and White Stallion coal plant proposals.

Sometimes, if you’re quiet, you can catch him sneaking outside the office to hug a tree.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FHhWCbEfCs]

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By promoting cleaner energy, cleaner government, and cleaner air for all Texans, we hope to provide for a healthy place to live and prosper. We are Public Citizen Texas. (more…)

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Green Fund Campaign Goes 5-0

Posted in Efficiency, Global Warming, green jobs, tagged , , on May 5, 2010 |

 

Green Fund
5-0

 

Posted by Trevor Lovell
From a ReEnergize Texas press release issued April 26th

 UTSA, TAMU, UT-Austin, UT-El Paso, and North Texas

Earth Week in Texas brought a major victory for student environmentalists. Student bodies at 5 state universities voted in favor of campus “green funds.” The institutions are among some of the state’s largest – UT Austin, UT San Antonio, UT El Paso, Texas A&M University, and the University of North Texas – and the funds are expected to generate a combined $8 million for sustainability projects over their five year lifespan.

“The message was about investing in a greener future for our campus,” said Cameron Tharp who headed the campaign at the University of North Texas where 82% of students voted in favor.

If each of the funds is approved by its respective board of regents, Texas would have a total of 7 public colleges with green funds, including Texas State University and Austin Community College, both of which already have such funds in place. California currently has 10 public colleges with green funds, the most in the country. (more…)

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Week in Review

Posted in Global Warming, tagged , , , on April 23, 2010 |

As we round out an especially celebratory Earth Day Week, work at Public Citizen Texas is as fast-paced as ever. Though, today, our staff is pausing to celebrate a huge victory for all Austinites: yesterday, city council approved the Austin Energy Generation Plan.

Our staff worked their tails off to ensure that not only is the plan green and affordable but also that the process involved the public as much as possible.

We’re excited about the plan for its overarching goals:

1) Increase energy efficiency to 800 megawatts across the decade

2) Increase AE supply of renewable energy to 35% by 2020

3) Increase our solar production to 200 megawatts by 2020

4) Decrease our carbon emissions to 20% below 2005 levels by 2020

We’d particularly like to thank Matt Johnson and the Clean Energy for Austin coalition for all their hard work.

Now, the week in review… (more…)

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Celebrating Earth Day: City Council passes AE Generation Plan

Posted in Global Warming, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 22, 2010 |

YeeeeeeeeeeeeeeHaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Today is a great day. Not only is this the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, but Austin City Council just gave every Texan  a reason to celebrate: Mayor Lee Leffingwell and City Council passed the Austin Energy Generation Plan!

After two years of hard work, enormous inclusive cooperation and citizen participation, the council unanimously approved the proposed Austin Energy Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan.

City hall attendants saw rigorous public approval–and some misguided contention–of the plan’s affordability and the process’ public participation during the public discussion. Council broke for citizen communications and an executive session before returning to approve the proposal.

Mayor Leffingwell spoke strongly in favor of the bill for both its environmental and economic responsibility, saying that global climate change will be the defining challenge of our era. Although it is a global problem, he said, Austin has a responsibility to do its part because “the sum of local policy is global policy.”

I caught up with Public Citizen’s David Power, Ryan Rittenhouse and Matt Johnson outside along with Sierra Club’s Cyrus Reed celebrating the fruition of their tireless efforts.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7kd71dD1pw]

Matt would like to thank all the members and supporters of the Clean Energy for Austin coalition for their hard work and dedication.

Congratulations! Go and celebrate Earth Day with jubilation!

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By promoting cleaner energy, cleaner government, and cleaner air for all Texans, we hope to provide for a healthy place to live and prosper. We are Public Citizen Texas.

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Public Citizen congratulates EDF and Tenaska on their deal to sequester CO2.

Posted in Global Warming, tagged , , , , on April 19, 2010 |

The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) has agreed to do what the state’s environmental agency should be doing by  assuring that  Tenaska’s commitment to sequester CO2 emissions can be enforced if this plant is built. While this deal may reduce some concerns about CO2, it doesn’t mean that this still isn’t a dirty old coal plant, and we will continue to work with the local opponents- the Multi- County Coalition-to oppose the permitting of the plant. 

The devil is in the details and the metaphor is especially appropriate given the hellish consequences. Substantial questions still remain unanswered due to the confidential nature of the agreement.   Is this deal dependent on cap and trade being passed? Does the deal really require that the coal plant will operate only if the carbon capture facility is also built and operated at least 85% of the time? Does the deal contemplate some other agreement for carbon capture without some federal cap and trade requirement for CO2? What happens if the off-takers don’t sequester the CO2? Can EDF take action against them if Tenaska is no longer a partner?  What happens if the tertiary oilfields become saturated? What are the penalties? Do they have to shut down?

It is still unknown whether carbon capture and sequestration from coal  is a viable part of the solution to climate change. Capturing and storing CO2 from one plant in Texas is one thing – capturing and storing the CO2 emissions from all the existing and proposed coal plants in the country is quite another.

The net output of this plant will significantly reduced by the energy consumed by carbon capture and dry cooling, making some  the emissions per MWh of output far higher than other similar pulverized coal plants. Another big question is why is Texas getting stuck with a pulverized coal plant by Tenaska when they are building an IGCC plant in Illinois  which far  cleaner?

This is not the first deal of its kind in Texas. Public Citizen and the Sustainable Energy and Economic Development Coalition (SEED)  reached an agreement with Nu Coastal Corp. to offset 100% of its CO2 from its Calhoun County plant. That plant has been sold to a new company which leads us to question if EDF can take action against the new permit holders if Tenaska is no longer a partner?

This deal doesn’t solve the questions about water availability, waste disposal and the damages done by coal mining.

In summary this still is a dirty old coal plant and we’ll oppose it.

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By promoting cleaner energy, cleaner government, and cleaner air for all Texans, we hope to provide for a healthy place to live and prosper. We are Public Citizen Texas.

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Old Settler’s Music Festival

Posted in Global Warming, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on April 13, 2010 |

If you love and appreciate one or more of the following items, I’ve got a great idea for how to spend your weekend:

  • Bluegrass
  • Americana
  • Camping
  • Barbeque
  • the Texas Hill Country
  • Public Citizen

One out of six? Four, five, six? Excellent! Join us this weekend, April 15-18, at the Old Settler’s Music Festival,

a nationally known music festival featuring the best in roots and Americana music. The festival is held in the gorgeous Texas hill country, at the height of the Bluebonnet and wildflower season. Old Settler’s Music Festival offers great music and activities for the whole family.

The Festival is held at Salt Lick Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch, just minutes from Austin, located 11 miles south of Highway 290 West on Farm Road 1826.

We had so much fun last year, we had to make a video about it. Check it out and join us! We’ll have a booth and banners all over the place. Come on over and check us out.  Say hello to the team, grab a couple stickers, and learn more about Public Citizen Texas and the work we do!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWD_ABh0glo&feature=player_embedded]

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By promoting cleaner energy, cleaner government, and cleaner air for all Texans, we hope to provide for a healthy place to live and prosper. We are Public Citizen Texas.

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Get to Know an Activist: Carol Geiger

Posted in Global Warming, tagged , , , , , , on April 12, 2010 |

Say hello to Carol Geiger. Carol is a Public Citizen stalwart and our Office Manager and EarthShare representative. She’s seen our Austin office grow from three to eight people and move into our current location right across from the Capitol building. Carol is a self-proclaimed “non-profit junkie” and all around do-gooder.

If she had a superpower, Carol would want to show people the truth. This time its free; the next reading will cost you…in carbon taxes.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJtGn6Tmx_w]

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By promoting cleaner energy, cleaner government, and cleaner air for all Texans, we hope to provide for a healthy place to live and prosper. We are Public Citizen Texas.

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Donate at your local HEB in April to benefit environmental organizations, including Public Citizen

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , on April 4, 2010 |

PUBLIC CITIZEN’s TEXAS OFFICE is a

Public Citizen is an Earthshare of Texas MemberApril is Earthday, give at HEB to Earthshare

Celebrating Earthday in April, look for this tearpad at HEBs and give to Public Citizen’s Texas office through Earthshare

Public Citizen’s Texas office is pleased to announce that H-E-B has selected EarthShare of Texas to be the beneficiary of its in-store coupon promotion for April, in recognition of Earth Day. This means that customers can tear off and add check-out coupons worth $1, $3, or $5 to their total bill.

In November, H-E-B’s San Antonio region stores will feature EarthShare of Texas — giving H-E-B’s San Antonio customers the opportunity to support environmental work in the San Antonio area.

Look for the EarthShare of Texas display and tear-off coupons at the check-out stands in your local H-E-B and Central Market stores beginning in late March through April.  Help support Public Citizen, EarthShare of Texas and the Texas environment!

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By promoting cleaner energy, cleaner government, and cleaner air for all Texans, we hope to provide for a healthy place to live and prosper. We are Public Citizen Texas.

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Prevent Texas from Becoming the Nation’s Radioactive Waste Dump

Posted in Nuclear, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on April 2, 2010 |

This month, the Texas Low Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission will hear feedback on a proposed rule allowing the importation of so-called low-level radioactive waste into Texas from across the nation. Under the proposed rules Waste Control Specialists (WCS) would be allowed to import additional radioactive waste from other areas of the country and potentially the world into Andrews County, Texas.

Click here to take action! Tell the Compact Commission you do not want Texas to become the nation’s radioactive waste dumping ground!

An environmental analysis performed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) found potential problems with the site, including possible pathways to underground aquifers. Three TCEQ staff members have resigned or taken early retirement as a result of the decision to grant the license. While TCEQ did approve the license, the Sierra Club has appealed that decision to the State District Court.

Take Action Now!

Even though the license granted by the TCEQ has been appealed, and the site has yet to be constructed, the eight-member Compact Commission is rushing ahead with this proposed rule at the behest of WCS and nuclear power plants, who are both desperate to find a place to send their waste. The Compact Commission does not even have a staff to review proposed importation agreements. A coalition of groups is opposing the rush to approve this rule. The groups are urging the Commission to deny the ability to import any waste other than Texas-Vermont compact waste or to put much stricter rules in place on how waste might be imported on a case-by-case basis. The present license only has enough capacity for waste from Texas and the other compact state Vermont.

Join us now to send a message to the Compact Commission!

In addition to e-mailed comments, the public may also make comments at two public hearings in Austin, TX on April 5 and Andrews, TX on April 6.

Austin Hearing – April 5, 2010, 1:00 PM at the Texas State Capitol Extension Auditorium, E1.004

Andrews Hearing – April 6, 2010, 6:00 PM at Andrews High School Little Theater, 1401 NW Avenue K.

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By promoting cleaner energy, cleaner government, and cleaner air for all Texans, we hope to provide for a healthy place to live and prosper. We are Public Citizen Texas.

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April Showers Bring May Flowers, But In Texas, April is Nuclear Power Month

Posted in Nuclear, tagged , , on March 31, 2010 |

April 7th-9a.m
Licensing Board to Hear Oral Arguments on STP Application
Room 100 of the Main Hall in the Bay City Civic Center, 201 7th St., Bay City, TX.

April 15th– 9a.m.
Licensing Board to Hear Oral Arguments on Comanche Peak Application 
Jury Selection Room of the Hood County Justice Center, 1200 W Pearl St., Granbury, TX.

April 15th  -7 to 9:30 p.m
NRC Public Meeting regarding Exelon’s Early Site Permit Application.
 Mini Dome of the Victoria Community Center, 2905 E North St., Victoria, TX.  There will be an open house an hour prior to the meeting so members of the public have the opportunity to talk informally with agency staff. (more…)

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April 15 hearing on Comanche Peak in Granbury, TX

Posted in Nuclear, tagged , , on March 31, 2010 |

An Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) panel will hear oral arguments on Comanche Peak Combined License (COL) proceedings beginning at 9 a.m. CDT on Thursday, April 15, in the Jury Selection Room of the Hood County Justice Center, 1200 W Pearl St. in Granbury. The session may extend into the evening if necessary. The ASLB is the independent body within the NRC that presides over hearings where the public can challenge proposed licensing and enforcement actions. (more…)

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Party In The Dark During Earth Hour

Posted in Global Warming, tagged , , , , , , on March 26, 2010 |

Worried about your environmental impact? This Saturday, March 27th at 8:30pm is your chance to participate with millions of people around the world during Earth Hour.

“What do I have to do?” Simply turn off the lights for one hour.

During this hour we can universally flip the switch on dirty air, foreign oil, and the impact that we have on climate change. This is a chance where we can all work together and have a positive impact while protecting not only our future but the future of the Earth.

“What am I going to do in the dark for an hour?” I am glad you asked. Here are some simple ideas:

  1. Invite your friends over for an Earth Hour Party
  2. Have a candlelight dinner with your family
  3. Set up camp in your home and share scary stories
  4. Meditate – the calmness is the perfect environment for meditation
  5. Take a walk under the moonlight
  6. Gaze at the stars

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5WYlqD8mR0&feature=player_embedded]

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By promoting cleaner energy, cleaner government, and cleaner air for all Texans, we hope to provide for a healthy place to live and prosper. We are Public Citizen Texas.

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Licensing Board to Hear Oral Arguments on STP Application April 7th in Bay City, TX.

Posted in Global Warming, tagged , , , on March 26, 2010 |

An Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) panel will hear oral argument regarding a hearing in the South Texas Project Combined License (COL) proceeding on April 7 in Bay City, Texas. The ASLB is the independent body within the NRC that presides over hearings where the public can challenge proposed licensing and enforcement actions. (more…)

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NRG’s investment in STP contributes to stock downgrade

Posted in Global Warming, tagged , , on March 26, 2010 |

According to the Wall Street Journal, Citigroup has downgraded shares of NRG Energy (NRG) to “Hold” from “Buy” and cut price targets to $25 from $27 on the stocks. Shares of NRG today are off 34 cents, or 1.6%, at $20.83.

Citigroup analyst Brian Chin warns that NRG’s investment in the South Texas Plant (STP) nuclear power plant expansion continues to consume resources without a clear indication from the U.S. Department of Energy that they will receive a loan guarantee for the plant, impacting investor enthusiasm.

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By promoting cleaner energy, cleaner government, and cleaner air for all Texans, we hope to provide for a healthy place to live and prosper. We are Public Citizen Texas.

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