[PAA-Discuss] FW: Environment Texas : Don't Let Reliant Kill Renewable Energy in Texas

[zappa2004]

-----Original Message-----
From: Luke Metzger, Environment Texas Advocate
[mailto:LukeM at environmenttexas.org]
Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 12:47 PM
To: zappa2004 at earthlink.net
Subject: Environment Texas : Don't Let Reliant Kill Renewable Energy in
Texas


Hi Kathryn,

We all know that more wind and solar power in Texas means less air
pollution, less dependence on oil, and greater energy security.

Unfortunately, one of Texas' most powerful electric utilities - Reliant
Energy - is working to derail renewable energy development in Texas. In
pending rules with the Public Utility Commission, they're working to get
credit for renewable energy purchases made by chuches, military bases,
businesses and folks like you and me - so they can get off the hook for
their renewable energy requirements.

If Reliant's scheme is successful, it "would actually reduce, not increase,
the total amount of renewable capacity installed in this state."

Please contact Reliant CEO Joel Staff and urge him to stop their lobby
effort to kill renewable energy in Texas.  Then ask your family and friends
to help by forwarding this e-mail to them.

To take action, click on the link below or paste it into your web browser:

https://www.environmenttexas.org/energy/reliant?id4=ES


Background

Last year, the Legislature passed SB 20, requiring electric utilities to
purchase roughly 5% of their electricity from clean, renewable sources by
the year 2015.

However, based on written comments filed this year, Reliant wants the
Legislature's minimum goals to be treated as maximum levels -thereby taking
away the incentive of anyone to buy green power and voluntarily support
extra efforts to use more renewable energy and gain additional air quality
improvements, as many military bases, churches, businesses and individual
consumers currently do. Reliant is also seeking to have the entire state
renewables program terminated by 2015.

In a draft PUC rule, Texas' voluntary market for renewables would
effectively end, as voluntary actions such as the wind turbine purchase
announced recently by the City of Houston would simply allow companies like
Reliant to avoid their obligations. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
has advised that if the new legislation is implemented as advocated by
Reliant, those seeking to help the environment "would need to buy green
power from another state."

Please contact Reliant CEO Joel Staff and urge him to stop their lobby
effort to kill renewable energy in Texas. Then ask your family and friends
to help by forwarding this e-mail to them.

To take action, click on the link below or paste it into your web browser:

https://www.environmenttexas.org/energy/reliant?id4=ES

Sincerely,

Luke Metzger
Environment Texas Advocate
LukeM at environmenttexas.org
http://www.environmenttexas.org

P.S.  Thanks again for your support.  Please feel free to share this e-mail
with your family and friends.