Grassroots Organizing for Renewable Energy Can Make a Difference
Sept. 15, 2009
Grassroots Organizing for Renewable Energy Can Make a Difference
Statement of Tom “Smitty” Smith, Director, Public Citizen’s Texas Office
Note: Smith has been awarded the 15th annual Heinz Award for his advocacy on renewable energy in Texas.
Global warming is a much more serious problem now than anyone ever thought it could be. Our best science tells us we have very little time to reduce the dangerous greenhouse gasses causing an impending climactic disaster.
I am honored to be among the individuals receiving this award because of their work on global warming and environmental issues. As our efforts in Texas have shown, citizen organizing can result in policies that create green jobs and new industries which make a profound difference in reducing greenhouse gasses, even in states where political leadership is in a state of denial.
Our efforts will continue to focus on addressing global warming by encouraging solar power and energy efficiency, which will even further strengthen the Texas economy, create new jobs and economic opportunities, and reduce electric costs. Our experience has shown that renewable energy deployment and efficiency place a hedge around volatile, rising fossil fuel energy costs, protecting families’ pocketbooks and their quality of life for future generations.
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