As gas prices skyrocket seemingly without end, and as air pollution becomes more and more of a health concern these days, the prospect of cheaper & cleaner renewable energy sources is becoming a serious issue with many Texans. The state now stands at a crossroads where it has to make a choice: Do we continue with the present energy policies, or do we seek out new solutions? Whomever we elect as governor this November will, to a large extent, determine our energy fate. So don’t waste your vote, good citizen! Inform thyself!

Kinky Friedman (Independent):
Renewable energy is a major focus of Kinky Friedman's campaign. In the past, he’s advocated creating a new “Texas Energy Commission” that would oversee the gradual adoption of more renewable energy sources in Texas, with Willie Nelson – biodiesel aficionado – as its head (no tokin’ in the boardroom, Mr. Nelson; that means you). Last Wednesday, Kinky issued a press release describing his energy plan for Texas in more detail.

Kinky’s plan is bold. Its stated goal: to “reverse the state's current position as a net importer of energy by expanding existing development of renewable energies while systematically improving conventional power generation in Texas.” As part of this plan, Texas would generate 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by the year 2020. According to the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association, “Texans could save as much as $5.5 billion in total electric bills, see nearly 40,000 new jobs created, and realize $900 million in new income to Texas families” under this strategy.

However, critics maintain that, while a fine idea in theory, Kinky’s “20 percent by 2020” plan is a bit too far-fetched and unrealistic, given the current political terrain in Texas. The plan, critics assert, could never be agreed upon by lawmakers because of its extreme nature (but, as Kinky’s campaign motto brazenly asks us: “How hard could it be?”).

Chris Bell (Democrat):
Bell released an energy plan similar to Kinky’s last April: The “10 percent by 2015” plan. As its name indicates, Bell’s energy plan is more moderate than Kinky’s – but only marginally so. Both men are ardent supporters of the environment. According to a report cited by Bell, the benefits of a 10 percent-renewable Texas will include: “19,400 new jobs, $5 billion in new investment, $349 million in new property tax revenues for local communities and schools, $138 million in lease payments to farmers, ranchers and rural landowners resulting from wind power generation, $90 million in payments to rural areas resulting from biomass energy production, $310 million in Gross State Product, and $4.7 billion in lower natural gas and electric prices.” Bell has also come out against coal-based power plants on many occasions.

Gov. Rick Perry (Republican):
It doesn’t seem that Gov. Perry is that into the idea of a “renewable energy future” for Texas, based on his relative lack of action or enthusiasm on the topic. We’d love to say that the current governor of our state has a good environmental record, but this is very much up for debate. In public, Perry hasn’t really said much more than “clean air = good,” something we’re sure any rational person agrees with. Yet in 2002, Gov. Perry issued an executive order which, in effect, fast-tracked the permitting process for coal-fire power plants – an energy source seen by many as the dirtiest and most environmentally unsound option available. However, in his defense, Perry has repeatedly expressed interest in making energy cheaper for low-income families by creating rate discounts and reducing or abolishing certain consumer fees.

Carole Keeton Strayhorn (Independent):
In recent news, Comptroller Strayhorn has expressed fierce opposition to Gov. Perry’s environmental record. If elected, “Grandma” Strayhorn has promised to change the state’s power-plant permitting process (say that five times fast) in order to fight air pollution. More specifically, she has vowed to reverse Gov. Perry’s 2002 executive order that fast-tracked coal plants. Additionally, Strayhorn has pledged to “fight for clean energy using the latest technology to reduce pollution.” However, Strayhorn has not yet released any sort of plan showing voters how she plans to achieve the adoption of these new energy sources for Texas.

*Images courtesy of Wikipedia and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Mr. Friedman’s press release courtesy of The Quorum Report.

Other resources for renewable energy –
The Source for Renewable Energy
InfinitePower.Org
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
U.S. Department of Energy