.The Texas Energy Report

17 Years Bringing You News from the Energy Capital of the Planet
 
.The Texas Energy Report

The Art of the Push Poll: American Energy Allliance News Release Responds to Article in The Hill

June 21, 2019
 
As you may have seen, there’s a new poll out from Frank Luntz and the Climate Leadership Council that purports to show widespread GOP support for a carbon tax. Here’s what The Hill reported:

“Prominent GOP pollster Frank Luntz is warning Republican lawmakers that the public’s views on climate change are shifting and that ignoring the issue could cost them important votes at the ballot box.

In a memo circulated to Republican congressional offices on Wednesday, Luntz Global Partners warned that 58 percent of Americans, as well as 58 percent of GOP voters under the age of 40, are more concerned about climate change than they were just one year ago…Luntz Global conducted the online poll of 1,000 voters on behalf of the Climate Leadership Council, which is promoting its own carbon tax and dividend plan. The survey found that GOP voters supported the plan by a 2-1 margin.”

We’ve got some serious doubts.

For starters, check out the wording here:

“Business and environmental leaders are proposing a bipartisan climate solution that charges fossil fuel companies for their carbon emissions and gives all the money directly to the American people through a quarterly check. This new climate solution is called ‘Carbon Dividends’, because all households would receive a quarterly cash payment as part of an effort to solve climate change. Would you support or oppose this plan?”

In layman’s terms, they’re asking: “Would you like fossil fuel companies to send you a big wad of cash?”

For more, read the full response here from AEA President Tom Pyle.
 

Explaining the New Law Against Deliberate Destruction of Critical Infrastructure Such As Pipelines

Bill signed by governor will protect power transmission infrastructure and telecommunications as well as pipelines…punishment is not equivalent with punishment for murder…law will depend on violators trespassing…”if you’re protesting on adjacent land, that would not bring you under this law”…clarifying the terms “destruction” versus “defaced” and “damaged”

 

June 17, 2019

 

A controversial bill to protect critical infrastructure such as pipelines, electrical lines and telecommunications in now law, effective later this year……..
 

TERP Program Goes to Trust Fund, TCEQ Control

June 17, 2019

 

Money for the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) will go from the state General Fund account to a new trust fund outside the state treasury to be administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

TERP is intended to provide financial incentives to “eligible individuals, businesses, or local governments” to reduce emissions from polluting vehicles and equipment by providing monetary grants under nine programs for the purchase of newer equipment, cars along rail relocation and seaport revamping in order to reduce air pollution (see TERP Diesel Program to Expand, The Texas Energy Report)….