Proposals Would Create Jobs and Save People Money

(Austin)—The Sierra Club’s state chapter today announced its agenda for the 81st Texas Legislature – a set of legislative priorities characterized as a good fit for the current economic times. “The Sierra Club agenda for the 2009 Texas legislative session will create jobs, boost the Texas economy, save people money, and protect public health,” said Sierra Club state director Ken Kramer. “We recognize the current economic uncertainties that Texans face. But adoption of the Sierra Club’s legislative proposals can help Texas emerge from this period of uncertainty with a healthier economy and a healthier population.”

Among the Sierra Club legislative initiatives that will bolster the state’s economy by creating or enhancing business opportunities and jobs are those in these priority areas:
• Smart Energy Solutions – The Sierra Club is pushing for a jump start for development of solar power and other sources of renewable energy that would lead to a more diversified energy economy and the creation of thousands of new jobs. The Club is also promoting the expansion of current energy efficiency programs that would lead to new jobs in manufacturing and installing products to increase energy efficiency in buildings and residences. The recent report by The Catalyst Project on Igniting Texas’ Energy Economy is only the latest to document the huge economic potential for Texas from pursuing smart energy solutions such as energy efficiency and renewable energy.
• State & Local Parks Funding – The Sierra Club is part of a diverse coalition of parks supporters who are working to make sure that funding increases last session for state parks and the local parks grants program are maintained and increased. Studies by Texas A&M University and the State Comptroller’s Office have demonstrated, for example, that state parks constitute a major economic boost for the areas in which they are located – generating not only revenues at the parks but also sales and sales taxes in the communities near the parks.
• Public Transportation – The Sierra Club is pushing for a state commitment for support of the expansion of public transit in the state’s major cities. A mix of federal, state, and local funding increases for public transit would lead to the development or expansion of light rail, commuter rail, and bus systems, creating jobs in construction and transit as well as boosting economic development along rail lines and near transit stations.

“The Sierra Club legislative proposals will not only promote business development and job creation,” said Cyrus Reed, Sierra Club state conservation director, “but they will also save money for taxpayers and ratepayers. Boosting energy efficiency will cut high utility bills for residential and commercial customers. For example, appropriation of money from the state’s System Benefit Fund for weatherization of the homes of low-income utility customers will mean more money in the pockets of those customers. Similarly, promotion of water conservation will cut water bills and avoid or reduce the need for expensive new water projects whose costs would be borne by ratepayers.”

“An added benefit of many of the Club’s legislative proposals will be a healthier population,” noted Kramer. “Reducing toxic air emissions will be a boon for the health of Texans living near industrial plants – which in turn will cut costs for medical care and enhance worker productivity. In addition, providing more opportunities for outdoor recreation through state and local parks will produce healthier kids. For example, new research published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine was the latest to demonstrate that access to green space for inner-city kids lowered the incidence of childhood obesity.”

“Every now and then someone trots out the false choice between the economy and the environment or jobs versus the environment,” Reed said. “The fact is that protecting the environment and boosting the economy go hand-in-hand. The Texas Legislature has the opportunity to prove that point in many ways this session, and the Sierra Club will be active in helping to achieve that outcome.”