Protecting Our Planet

We cannot keep ignoring the critical challenges facing Texas, our country, and our planet. Encouraging the expansion of renewable energy is vital for protecting our world, strengthening our national security, and boosting the economy.

Clean Energy

It is long past the time to enact an energy policy that strengthens our economy and protects our health and the environment. Texas, in particular, is well positioned to reap the benefits of the clean energy economy. Solar resource potential in Texas is among the highest in the nation and Texas already ranks first for installed wind capacity. Unfortunately, seniors, children, and those with respiratory illnesses such as asthma are at risk because of the polluters’ irresponsible efforts to avoid shifts to solar and wind power.

Unfortunately, some in Congress are turning a necessary policy debate into just one more forum in which to attack clean energy initiatives. As an active member of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition and a supporter of renewable energy tax credits, I agree with the President and Pope Francis that we cannot continue to ignore the most critical environmental challenges we must address. I will continue working toward an energy policy that makes the best use of taxpayer dollars to vigorously promote clean, renewable energy. With my support, Congress has already expanded tax incentives for renewable power and provided resources to help finance renewable energy facilities.

Climate Change and the Environment

In addition to being a member of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, I am an active member of the Safe Climate Caucus.

I urged the Department of Interior to prohibit drilling on the Arctic Ocean in order to protect important ecosystems and accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels. I repeatedly voted against authorizing the Keystone XL pipeline and am a sponsor of the Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act, which would protect over a million acres of land on the front lines of climate change.

We need to accelerate action on climate change, not obstruct it. While the world’s temperature rises, so do the costs to our communities and the environment. Climate change contributes to devastating storms and catastrophic droughts, and these impacts will only get worse without action. As the recipient of the Texas League of Conservation Voters' inaugural Environmental Champion Award and with a lifetime score of 100% from the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, I will continue to support efforts to protect our climate. We face many challenges in Congress, but we must protect provisions for our national parks and wildlife services, as well as incentives for promoting alternative energy.