Green Leaf Report

I just received an email from a friend who has recently testified in front of the Texas government in support of wind energy.  The email text and attachment text is below.  I’m not sure if emailing this around is the most efficient idea, but this is a good time to contact your representatives and ask them to support CREZ and wind power:

Dear Friends:

We have reached a critical juncture in the wind industry in Texas. The Public Utility Commission of Texas will make a decision in mid-July on expanding transmission (power lines) to bring more wind energy into the Texas market.    

I have been very involved in this initiative, and I have filed documents on the public record on behalf of Horizon Wind Energy about the environmental benefits of wind power (no pollution, no CO2 emissions, no water consumption) as well as the important fact that the wind is a FREE fuel source, and more wind power on our electric system will lower electricity prices for all of us.  Attached you will find a letter from Representative David Swinford that has been signed by twelve West Texas Legislators supporting this transmission initiative not just for wind, but also for other types of generation that will be able to utilize the new infrastructure as well. 

This is important to me not only professionally, but also personally. Reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and increasing our fuel diversity is of critical importance as we look toward the future of Texas and of the country in terms of electricity use, environmental challenges, and energy independence. I ask that you please open the link below and sign the petition from State Representative Mike Villarreal, and forward this to EVERYONE you know in Texas.  I understand that Rep. Villarreal intends to present the petition results to the PUC TOMORROW and we hope to demonstrate to the PUC that wind power and this transmission initiative enjoys broad-based public support. This is a critical time to support the growth of the wind industry in this state, and your input will be immensely valuable.

Thank you for your time and attention to this.

Attachment text:

Commissioner

Barry

Smitherman

Commissioner Paul Hudson

Commissioner Julie Parsley

Public Utility Commission of Texas

1701 N. Congress

P.O. Box

13326

Austin, Texas

7871 1-3326

Dear Commissioners;

First, we want to thank you and your staff for the concentrated effort you have given to the CREZ process. This month marks the three year point since we passed SB 20. This deliberate process has served to educate the many stakeholders that have been involved, but we must move ahead in a significant step and proceed to the construction phase. We appreciate your dedication to the people of Texas in thoughtfully evaluating the infrastructure options for meeting our energy future.

Certainly, you have determined the great wind resource we have in Texas and have validated that the West Texas, Panhandle, and South Plains regions of the state can provide world class wind resources that can produce abundant clean, renewable energy for the State for many years to come.

We write today to encourage you to stay the course, be bold, and make the decisions that best serve the people of Texas. Many Texans are very concerned about high energy prices that result from the rapidly increasing cost of oil and natural gas. We must find ways to provide additional energy supplies that are affordable. The cost of transmission lines have doubled since we saw the first estimates. Unless you have inside knowledge showing the cost of copper, steel, and concrete will be going down soon, we maintain that the longer we wait, the more expensive these lines and fuel costs will become. These lines we ask you to support are not just for wind, At least three communities in our areas have plans for coal plants. We have some folks that are considering gas plants and others solar plants. While your discussion is currently about wind transmission lines, these in reality are energy lines. We can tell you that putting coal plants next to the state’s metro areas compounds the serious air quality problems that now exist. All regions of the state are affected by the cost to comply with our state air quality programs.

As we have studied this issue and as we travel our districts, there is no doubt that our constituents want to work with you, the wind companies, and other energy providers for economic reasons as well as being good neighbors to the rest of the state because we can supply huge amounts of energy. This is evident by looking at the map that is attached that identifies communities that have passed resolutions. There are over 170 total resolutions asking you to approve a robust transmission system and pledging you their help in location these lines.

As a group that has worked with difficult issues for many years, we assure you it is rare to find this level of widespread passion for any issue.

Thank you again for the valuable contributions you are making to the people of our region and throughout the state. Your service to Texas is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

David Swinford, State Representative, District 87

Warren Chisum, State Representative, District 88

John Smithee, State Representative, District 86

Delwin Jones, State Representative, District 83

Carl Isett, State Representative, District 84

Rick Hardcastle, State Representative, District 68

Joe Heflin, State Representative, District 85

Buddy West, State Representative, District 81

Drew Darby, State Representative, District 72

Robert Duncan, State Senator, District 30

Susan King, State Representative, District 71,

Kel Seliger, State Senator, District 31