State Capitol Report
A Publication of the Sierra Club, Lone Star Chapter.
The State Capitol Report is in PDF format. (Acrobat Viewer required)

Current Issue: November 5, 2009 (464 KB PDF) or (19 KB TXT)

Proposition 9 Overwhelmingly Approved by Texas Voters;
Puts Texas Open Beaches Protection into State Constitution

Plans Progressing for January Water Conference in Houston;
Conference Will Focus on Key Water Issues for Southeast Texas

Hundreds of Texans Rally on Halloween to Stop the Dirty Texas Coal Rush;
Events Call for Clean Power, Green Jobs, and Clean Air

Health Impacts from Existing Texas COAL Plant Pollution (Annually )

Ask the EPA to Take Bold Action in Texas;
Comments Needed NOW on EPA Efforts to Make TCEQ Air Permitting Comply with Federal Law

Proposed New Texas Coal Plants

October 22, 2009 (480 KB PDF) or (19 KB TXT)

Energy Systems Lab Makes Building Code Recommendations; Asks SECO to Raise Minimum Energy Efficiency Codes for Texas Buildings

Deadlines for Stimulus Money Looming for Cities and Others; Transportation, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Funds at Stake

Torrent of Water Conferences Continue

Roll Beyond Coal Bike Rides & Hikes – Saturday, October 31, 2009

State Energy Office Stimulus Funding DEADLINES

Sierra Celebration Annual Chapter Outing October 23-25

September 29, 2009 (412 KB PDF) or (17 KB TXT)

September 10, 2009 (297 KB PDF) or (20 KB TXT)

Keep Texas Beaches Open! Vote for Proposition 9 on November 3!

PUC Agrees to Delay in LCRA Wind Transmission Line Filings to Study Alternative Routes

Sierra Club Conference WATER For People and the Environment
Saturday, January 16, 2010 – 9 to 4 PM Houston

Roll Beyond Coal Bike Rides & Hikes – Saturday, October 31, 2009

Texas Flooded with Water Conferences This Fall

Sierra Celebration Annual Chapter Outing October 23-25

EPA Proposes to Disapprove Texas Changes to Air Permitting Program;
Sierra Club and Others Groups in Texas Welcome EPA Action

Texas Receives Lackluster “C-” for Water Quality Protections;
Gulf Restoration Network Report Card Reveals Poor Water Quality Policies in Gulf of Mexico States

A Tale of Two Utilities:
Austin and San Antonio Take Different Approaches to Electricity Plans

Texas Roll Beyond Coal Campaign

July 23, 2009 (295 KB PDF) or (18 KB TXT)

August 31, 2009 (297 KB PDF) or (18 KB TXT)

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Updating Its Land and Water Plan;
Public Meetings Being Held Over the Next Two Months

DOE Approves $218.8 million for Texas Energy Plan from Federal Stimulus Monies;
Loans and Grants for Energy Efficiency and On-site Renewable Energy

TxDOT Asks for Public Input;
Here’s Your Chance to Tell Them What You Think

Schedule of Remaining Public Meetings on the Revision of the Land & Water Plan – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission Meets in Fort Worth August 26-27

Sierra Club and Environment Texas File Second Lawsuit to Cut Air Pollutant Emissions in Harris County

Groups Allege Illegal Pollution from “Upset” Events at Chevron Phillips’ Cedar Bayou Chemical Plant in Baytown

FACT SHEET: AIR POLLUTION FROM “EMISSION EVENTS” AT CHEVRON PHILLIPS’ CEDAR BAYOU PLANT

ROLL BEYOND COAL, Austin!

Dirty Power Plants: Air Pollution and Ozone

Sierra Club files evidence in Corpus Christi case; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency raises concerns over power plant

June 11, 2009 (254 KB PDF) or (20 KB TXT)

June 25, 2009 (451 KB PDF) or (18 KB TXT)

Most Major Clean Energy Bills Fall Short of the Goal Line; But Legislative Support for Efficiency & Renewables Gained Momentum

Stimulus Funds Present Huge Potential for Clean Energy; Let’s Invest in Texas!

Now is the Time for Texas to Update Energy Codes for New Residential and Commercial Buildings

Legislative Progess on Several Fronts: Beach Protection, Parks Funding, Water Conservation, Water Program Funding

Action Needed: Comments Due July 5

May 13, 2009 (224 KB PDF) or (20 KB TXT)

May 21, 2009 (240 KB PDF) or (19 KB TXT)

Senate Passes Legislation to Advance “Non-Wind” Renewable Energy; SB 541 Would Create Goals and Provide Incentives

House Approves Tax Break for Manufacturing Projects; Would Aid Proposed Texas Nuclear Plants

House Passes Controversial “Clean Coal” Bill; More Stringent Pollution Control Requirements Added to Get Tax Breaks

Water Conservation Legislation on the Move: Bills Advance on Plumbing Fixture Standards, Water Audits, and Rainwater Harvesting

Clean Energy Legislation Advancing: Goal Line in Sight

Potpourri – Update on Various Bills

Nuke Subsidy Bill Held up in Senate Committee

Shoppers can Save Energy, Save Water, and Save Money on Memorial Day Weekend:
Sales Tax Holiday on Energy Efficient Appliances Will Be in Effect

April 2, 2009 (286 KB PDF) or (30 KB TXT)

April 16, 2009 (242 KB PDF) or (20 KB TXT)

Sierra Club Testifies on TxDOT Continuation Bill

Statewide Poll Finds Texas Deeply Value a High Quality Park System;
Survey Shows Strong Support for State Parks Funding through Sporting Goods Tax

HB 3423 Would Close Loophole in Radioactive Waste Law;
Citizens: Don't Turn Texas into Nation's Dumping Ground

Senate Passes Senator Averitt’s Clean Air, Energy Efficiency Bill; Action Moves to the House

Texas Energy Efficiency Legislation Starts Moving; Bills Would Save Money, Create Jobs, and Clean the Air

Sierra Club Supports HB 3206 by Rep. Edwards; Bill Would Clarify Pollution Control Equipment Tax Abatement

Transportation Project Funding Legislation Moving; Legislation Passes the Senate; Moves to the House

March 12, 2009 (343 KB PDF) or (23 KB TXT)

February 26, 2009 (336 KB PDF) or (22 KB TXT)

Environmental and Energy Issues Heat Up in the Texas House

Sierra Club files Environmental Lawsuit on Grand Parkway;
Group says Katy Prairie and Houston Air Quality Are at Stake

Sierra Club Releases Report on Desalination;
Publication Covers the Pros and Cons of Water Desalination

Local Citizens Group, Sierra Club, and EDF Contest Goliad County Coal Plant Expansion

Funding for Programs and Conservation Likely to be the Major Focus for Water Issues This Session; Appropriations Process Begins Moving Forward

State and Local Parks Funding Still a Critical Matter for the Texas Legislature; Action Needed This Session to Continue Progress from 2007

Sierra Club’s Ten-Point Request List for Texas State & Local Parks;

Finance Committee Begins Budget Debate with Economic Stimulus Package Looming;
Federal Money Could Bolster Funding on Weatherization, Green Jobs Training

Funding Outdoor Recreation One Way to Fight Texas Obesity Rate;
Legislative Opportunities to Act on Parks and Wildlife Funding

February 12, 2009 (267 KB PDF)

January 29, 2009 (300 KB PDF)

Broad Coalition of Legislators and Diverse Interests Working to Promote Solar Power;
New Clean Energy Legislation Filed

Lobby Training and Lobby Training, Austin, February 17-18

Sierra Club Urges EPA to Halt Plans to Ship PCB Wastes to West Texas;
EPA Asked to Prepare an EIS on Disposition of Dangerous Hudson River PCB Wastes

Finance Committee Begins Budget Debate with Economic Stimulus Package Looming;
Federal Money Could Bolster Funding on Weatherization, Green Jobs Training

Funding Outdoor Recreation One Way to Fight Texas Obesity Rate;
Legislative Opportunities to Act on Parks and Wildlife Funding

Sierra Club Promotes a State Legislative Agenda for These Economic Times; Proposals Would Create Jobs and Save People Money

State Legislation Filed on Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy; Several Bills Reflect Parts of Sierra Club's "12-Step Plan for a Cool Texas"

Texas Business for Clean Air Release Report; Outlines Policy Options for Clean Air and Energy

Join us for Lobby Day at the State Capitol!
You're invited to the Alliance for a Clean Texas Lobby Day at the State Capitol. Join us in supporting legislation for energy efficiency programs and renewable energy (among other issues).

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