Declaration of Sustainability
Presented by the Texas Clean Energy Congress November 15, 2004 Austin, Texas The Earth is our home and its environment sustains life. We lament that today human society is using resources and creating waste on Earth at a rate that is destructive to the health of the planet and all life upon it. Extraction, production and consumption of energy and their resulting pollution constitute a large part of this problem. Renewable energy, energy effi ciency and conservation can solve many problems and are necessary elements for a sustainable future. Th e First Texas Clean Energy Congress envisions a Texas responsibly powered by its sustainable, renewable energy resource base. Texas shall serve as a model to others in economic opportunities, advanced technology, environmental justice, innovative government and respect for future generations. We can change our current practices in ways that build a sustainable energy future and that will create stronger communities, a healthier environment, and an economy that generates opportunity for all. WHEREAS we have a responsibility to current and future generations, WHEREAS the continued use of nuclear energy and of the limited supply of fossil fuels is adversely aff ecting our climate, environment, health and national security, WHEREAS current energy production and consumption patterns cause inequitable, unjust and disproportionate adverse impacts especially on communities and people least able to overcome them, WHEREAS the technologies of energy effi ciency and renewable energy are accessible and continue to advance, WHEREAS sustainable energy is one part of a holistic approach that encompasses many other strategies such as green building, recycling, responsible management of materials and existing fossil fuel resources, improved manufacturing processes, design for the environment, and energy effi cient transportation, WHEREAS Texas historically has demonstrated leadership in energy technologies and is uniquely positioned to extend that leadership into development of clean and sustainable technology and energy resources, WHEREAS Texas has the greatest resources in the United States for the development of renewable energy and energy effi ciency which are more than suffi cient to meet our current and future needs, And WHEREAS the natural environment of Texas is inherently good with its own value apart from its utility to people, BE IT RESOLVED THEREFORE, that this First Texas Clean Energy Congress calls for Texas to lead in this historic time, and for Texas to lead in the transition to sustainable energy as we advance humankind. We affirm that sustainable energy is energy that is reliable, clean and safe, and has positive impacts on the economy, society and the environment. We affirm that Texas’ energy production and use should contribute positively to the welfare of all creation. We affirm that Texas should reduce energy and resource consumption through conservation and energy effi ciency. We affirm that Texas should proactively plan for and provide a robust infrastructure to maximize the integration of sustainable energy. We affirm that Texas should produce and export clean energy and clean energy technologies. We affi rm that Texas should lead in the creation of a National Clean Energy Consortium to research, develop and deploy cost-eff ective sustainable energy for the electric, industrial, building, and transportation sectors. We call for Texas to create the appropriate policies, programs and business climate to meet the majority of its total energy needs with sustainable energy by the year 2020. We call for our leaders to embrace the future of sustainable energy and make Texas the leader in sustainable energy. We further endorse this Sustainable Energy Bill of Rights for all Texans. Sustainable Energy Bill Of Rights 1 All Texans have the right to live in a sustainable clean environment today and in the future. 2 All Texans have the right to be protected by energy effi ciency codes and educated about energy savings options for their homes and businesses. 3 All Texans have the right to participate in an open public process to determine how energy is produced in and for their communities. 4 All Texans have the right to purchase clean renewable energy from their electric provider at prices that are reasonable and just and nondiscriminatory. 5 All Texans have the right to produce sustainable energy for on-site use. 6 All Texans who produce renewable energy have the right to fair compensation for energy sold that refl ects the full value of that energy. 7 All Texans have the right to access a means of transportation that runs on sustainable fuels. 8 All Texans have the right to know the environmental impacts of their ways of life, including purchasing and energy consumption decisions. 9 All Texans have the right to enjoy the economic benefi ts to Texas of the expanded use of renewable en- ergy and energy effi ciency measures. 10 All Texans have the right to live in communities where sustainability is the guiding principle in devel- opment and community design. Agreed to unanimously and ratified this 15th day of November by the Delegates of the First Texas Clean Energy Congress --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.788 / Virus Database: 533 - Release Date: 11/1/2004 _______________________________________________ Biofuel mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://wwia.org/mailman/listinfo.cgi/biofuel Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuel archives at Infoarchive.net (searchable): http://infoarchive.net/sgroup/biofuel/
