It's not easy being green ... LOL ... and I'm not proclaiming to be a poster child for it. I love my mini van and wish they made one that got 30 mpg! I don't use my bicycle enough. I haven't replaced my water heater yet nor my air conditioner - but I will when they fail.
But I do recycle all kinds of stuff. I have embarrassed my family by picking up aluminum cans in parking lots. The guys at the Ft Bend Co Recycling Center know me by name and don't have to ask my zip code. I have replaced all the lights in my house with compact fluorescent lighting, and even did so in several lights at my parent's and in-law's houses. We have an automatic thermostat, extra insulation, attic ridge vents, and ceiling fans.
My in-law's have planted Texas loblolly pine trees on 30 acres of their land and it has been recognized by the Texas Forestry Association as a Certified Tree Farm and part of the American Tree Farm System. I love pine trees!!!
My parents participated in an energy assessment program by their local utility to monitor and cut costs. They have solar panels to heat their swimming pool.
Both sets of parents work to recycle their glass, paper, plastic, steel and aluminum.
I am working on developing a rain-water harvesting system for my house and drip irrigation for watering landscape plants. The plants will be native Texas and tropical plants, as well as herbs and edibles. I have started composting. Next up is higher SEER ducting in the attic and thermal windows. Like many energy saving measures, they won't happen over night. They will take time, effort and money. I have looked into gray water recycling, an improved septic system (the new ones water your yard with pop up sprinklers), and alternative energy for the house (a wind turbine and solar panels. It won't be a cheap way out. But in the long term, they will pay for themselves in decreased energy costs and will result in energy savings for the regions and planet.
In 1988, I was making calls on behalf of recycling in Houston - it was new at the time - and was on the radio with Jon Matthews. He said "... this is just too much work and too expensive ... you're just one of those 'radical environmentalists' like Al Gore."
Well, thank you, Jon.
"That was not intended as a compliment," he said.
Really? Well, I'll take it as one.
Full disclosure ... I have worked with Al Gore since 1987. I rode on a campaign bus with Tipper for 3 days as he was campaigning for President. We talked about photography and I apologized to her for opposing her on the music lyric labeling act. We laughed. I was mad when he dropped out of the 1988 race before the Texas primary!!! Yes, I was involved in 1992, 1996, and 2000. (I'll post more about my political campaign involvement later.)
I am involved with rePower America, headed by former vice-president Al Gore. I'm also involved with other organizations ... walden.org and caddolakeinstitute.us (a national and a Texas group - both supported by Don Henley), RiverKeeper.org and WaterKeeper.org (both headed by Bobby Kennedy, Jr. with impact locally, nationally and world wide), and specifically in Houston - the Buffalo Bayou Partnership, and the Hermann Park Conservancy.
I had the opportunity, through rePower America, to be part of the conference call by Al Gore to concerned citizens across the nation regarding the Waxman - Markey Climate Bill. It wasn't like it was a small, select group (sorry to disappoint) ... over 11,500 numbers on the call -WOW. And in some cases there were rePower America House Parties. It lasted about 15 minutes.
After Mr. Gore's comments and call to action, here's the letter I wrote to my congressman, the Hon. Pete Olson of Texas' 22nd Congressional District:
Congressman Olson,
I would like to encourage YOUR support of the the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. It should come up for a vote on Friday.
I know it may be difficult for you to reach across party lines on this matter, but a vote of support will be good for our district, good for southeast Texas (and the rest of our state), and good for the entire country.
Texas leads the nation in wind power. We need to continue to do so and work with others on this. Texas takes the lead in developing alternative energy, even though we are an oil producing state. Texans have the vision to know that oil will dry up and they want to have something to replace that income and jobs.
The costs we incur now will be MORE than offset by the energy and monetary savings we will have in the future.
Congressman, thanks for your hard work in Washington on behalf of the folks of Ft. Bend County and SE Texas.
Cordially,
Mike
Posts
Post Script to the blog post ... The Waxman-Markey bill passed 219-212. This was one of the closest votes in recent House history as 218 were required.
ReplyDeleteCongressman Pete Olson voted no, along with all of the Texas Republicans.
The vote was largely along party lines, but there were some defections. Eight Republicans (including Mary Bono Mack-CA) voted YES, but 44 Democrats (I think, I can't seem to locate the exact amount as i write this) voted no.
Congressman Olson sent me a reply ...
ReplyDeleteJune 30, 2009
Dear Mr. Rine,
Thank you for contacting me regarding cap-and-trade legislation. I appreciate having your thoughts on this important matter.
As you know, the House of Representatives voted 219-212 to impose a "cap-and-trade" program on American energy producers. I voted against this short-sighted proposal because it is a stealth tax on energy suppliers and their customers - and ultimately, every small business and family in America. This program will force many energy producers to purchase "carbon credits" in order to meet federally-mandated emissions limits. The cost of these credits will be passed along to all energy consumers, including thousands of businesses that will be forced to raise prices or cut jobs to stay afloat. The Texas Comptroller estimates that cap-and-trade could cost 5,000 jobs in my congressional district in 2012 alone. That is unacceptable to me.
I believe that any efforts to reduce carbon emissions should be a part of a broader comprehensive energy policy discussion. Our nation cannot become energy independent if we cannot develop our own energy resources. I support creating incentives to encourage development of alternative energy resources, including wind, solar, and hydrogen.
A discussion of lowering greenhouse gas emissions must also include removing barriers to clean, safe, and affordable nuclear energy. Currently, the United States derives only 20 percent of our total electricity demand from nuclear power. Nuclear power is a reliable energy source that emits no greenhouse gases. Inclusion of nuclear energy is imperative to reaching our nation's clean air goals.
Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. I am honored to represent you in the U.S. House of Representatives. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact one of my offices or visit my website at www.house.gov/olson.
Very respectfully,
Pete Olson
Member of Congress