We are not joining the throng of cable news reporters more concerned with the 2010 election than with fixing the country in the meantime. But we did score big with two interviews that could help shape the midterm US Senate race here in Texas.

The US Senate race in Texas has a slightly funny story. Longtime US Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison is expected to step down and throw her hat in the ring to become the next Texas Governor. The spot she may vacate (but has not yet vacated) is already being contested by a number of potential candidates, the most notable being John Sharp and Bill White on the Democratic side, and Michael Williams and Florence Shapiro on the Republican side.

ReEnergize Texas has conducted interviews with both Democratic Mayor of Houston Bill White and Republican Chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission Michael Williams. See them here:

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ReEnergize Texas is a non-partisan coalition, and the rules say we can’t give them grades on their respective interviews. What we can do is point out a few strengths and weaknesses for each candidate.

Michael Williams:
Strength – Naming energy storage as an important emerging technology. He rightly points out that it is key if we want a massive transition to renewable energy statewide and nationwide.
Weakness – Naming clean coal as an important emerging technology, and arguing that it will be cheaper than renewable alternatives. The only reason we don’t have a full-scale clean coal plant in America is because no one can afford to build one!
Strength – Understanding that our energy future cannot be conducted in a way that hinders the economy. Whatever solutions we attempt must balance numerous interests. 
Weakness – Failure to be bold. The biggest weakness in many of the responses was failure to see a clean and just energy future. When asked about efficiency he talked about meeting 10% of demand, while the Rocky Mountain Institute says that we can reduce demand by 30%.

Bill White:
Strength – Acknowledging the importance of carbon policy. If we are going to address climate change, we have to implement policies that actually reduce carbon. We cannot just hope and pray that new technologies will magically be adopted and save us in time.
Weakness – Implying that the policies being considered in Congress could hurt the economy. This buys into the rhetoric that regulating carbon is like creating an energy tax. Smart policies will assist consumers and businesses as they adapt, and will reduce energy demand, keeping energy costs low.
Strength – Focusing on energy efficiency. The best way we can achieve significant near term carbon reductions is by using the energy we already produce more efficiently.
Weakness – Dodging the nuclear question. The answer that “I think there are ways we can deal with the spent fuel problem” doesn’t even begin to address the myriad problems with nuclear power – plant safety, water consumption, carbon impact of construction (cement = lots of CO2), and high costs.

So there you have it – two candidates in their own words and some of ours. We look forward to working with the campaigns for Florence Shapiro and John Sharp in the near future to see where they stand on these critical issues.

Published May 5th, 2009
By Trevor Lovell, Statewide Director for ReEnergize Texas

Many people are speculating that the current economic crisis is as bad, or worse, than the Great Depression.  This has sent our country into a tizzy—people aren’t eating out, vacations are scarce, funding for programs is short, and people are starting to hide money in holes in the walls of their homes. 

But Van Jones, President Obama’s pick for a new Special Adviser on Green Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation position, wants us to have no fear.  Jones is also the founder of Green For All and sees green jobs as a solution to our declining economy, a way for people to get out of poverty, and a way to reduce the environmental impacts of unsustainable fuel choices and industries — what’s not to like?  The mission of Green For All is to “build an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty,” so that we can “fight poverty and pollution at the same time.” 

The theory goes that if we are able to provide job training to those in poverty, it will increase their chances of getting a job, thereby providing them with an income and “a pathway out of poverty.”  By creating jobs and reducing unemployment, the economy is stimulated, all while green workers further the environmental agenda by retrofitting buildings, manufacturing and installing solar panels and wind turbines, and so on.

If you are sitting there saying, “Hey! This sounds familiar…” you’re right—it is.  This is the exact same theory behind American Youthworks and the YouthBuild bill that is currently in the Texas Legislature (HB 2492 and SB 1770).  As I’ve previously mentioned, there are many programs that are based on the idea that if we can provide job training to those in poverty, give them a job in a growing green job economy, we are killing so many birds with one stone.  We will be able to help people get out of poverty, we will be stimulating the economy, and we will be fighting environmental evils. 

Why this green jobs program is not a cornerstone of our economy during this crisis is beyond me. Putting someone as prominent and influential as Jones so close to the White House is sure to bring attention and awareness to these programs, especially now that people are looking at alternative ways to improve our economy.      

One cool thing that the folks at Green For All have done is created an application which you can use to make a “Green Jobs Icon.” You can upload your picture into a template and show that you want “Green Jobs Now.”  It’s a great and simple way to show support, as well as spread the word about an important movement.