Texas Tug-Of-War: Political Struggles Between Energy Interests and Environmentalists


 

Publication Date: April 2009

Publisher: National Institute on Money in State Politics (U.S.)

Author(s): Peter Quist

Research Area: Energy; Environment; Politics

Keywords: climate change; cap-and-trade

Type: Report

Coverage: Texas

Abstract:

In 2005, Texas emitted the most carbon dioxide from fossil fuels in the country, 663.87 million metric tons, easily eclipsing the 390.64 million metric tons emitted in California. This year, a few pieces of proposed legislation would take steps to address the state's carbon output. One would institute a carbon emissions cap-and-trade plan and pave the way for Texas to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The other would promote capture of CO2 and development of emissions-reducing technologies.