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May 11, 2009: SB 541 Passes

Great news. Today the Texas Senate passed SB 541, the non-wind RPS bill. Senator Shapiro voted in favor of the bill. Thanks to all who called or emailed her office in support of SB 541. This bill if implemented will go a long way toward making renewable energy a significant and reliable component of Texas' power grid. And, it will help show that Texas is serious about taking the lead in clean-renewable energy resources.

This is no time to relax. Tomorrow(05/12), the Texas House is expected to consider, HB 280 by Rafael Anchia. HB 280 will increase the goals for meeting our electricity demand through energy efficiency programs. The bill is the result of a PUC study, mandated by HB 3693 in the last session, which showed that there would be significant cost and environmental benefits from an increase in efficiency goals.

Existing law requires the nine investor-owned utilities to meet 20 percent of the growth in electrical demand in 2009. HB 280 and its companion in the Senate SB 546 would raise this to 30 percent of growth by 2012, and one percent of total peak demand by 2016. Shifting to a total peak demand reference will assure that efficiency programs are effective even in years when load growth is flat.

Energy efficiency is the cheapest, quickest and cleanest way for Texas to meet its electricity demand. Ask you State Representative to vote YES on HB 280!

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Best regards
Bob Fusinato