Obama’s green push has some Texans seeing red
By Elizabeth Souder and Dave Michaels, The Dallas Morning News 5/26/2009
DALLAS, TEXAS: The Obama administration’s push to shift the country toward renewable energy and away from fossil fuels puts the Texas economy in the crosshairs.
Hopeful Texas Democrats and entrepreneurs say the change would open opportunities for the state’s energy industry, while cutting the greenhouse gas emissions that are heating the planet. But even as Texas installs more wind power than any other state and boosts incentives for solar energy, fossil fuels reign.
“If the construct is to punish carbon manufacturers, then yes, Texas does suffer,” said John Hofmeister, former president of Houston-based Shell Oil Co.
The conflict between President Barack Obama’s vision and Texas’ reality boils down to a mix of politics and industry. While Obama has staked his economic recovery agenda on creating millions of green jobs, Texas depends on carbon dioxide jobs.