Between 2000 and 2008, we achieved a 22 percent reduction of statewide ozone levels, especially here in the Metroplex, the first and only metropolitan area in the country to reach the EPA’s target.  That result encourages us all to keep going with our innovative, incentive-driven approaches to this challenge and others like it.

I sincerely hope that when Congress reconvenes this fall, the Senate will take heed of our success in Texas and reject this legislation.  There is no question that we need to continue building our portfolio of energy sources, but we can’t replace traditional energy sources on arbitrary timelines, relying on undeveloped technologies, and punishing those who cannot comply.

Instead, we should offer incentives that bring out the best in our people, appeal to their competitive spirit and free them to innovate. Texas has always been a state of innovators, of risk-takers, of people who willing to step outside their comfort zone to pursue a grand idea.  That mindset has helped make our energy industry the nation’s bellwether and our overall economy its leader.

There is no doubt that hardworking Texans get the credit for our success, but I believe our approach to governing helped pave the way.  Our ongoing emphasis on low taxes, predictable regulations and a fair legal system has enabled Texas employers to focus on innovative products, wise investment and more jobs.  These two bills today are the latest examples of that approach.

House Bill 432 addresses the fact that our state is a leader in the research and production of alternative fuels, but we lack the infrastructure to get it to drivers who would use it to fuel their vehicles.  Since our state already spends money on a fleet, this bill requires it to include vehicles that use alternative fuels.

That will drive the creation of a basic distribution infrastructure and take advantage of the fuels we produce in Texas, including that natural gas coming from the Barnett Shale.

The second bill here today is House Bill 469, which offers a prize to the first companies to come up with clean coal processes that not only work on paper, but work in real life as well.

Howard [Hawks], you’re an energy guy. Does the possibility of a one hundred million dollar franchise tax credit get your attention?  Thanks to this bill, the first three entities to design and build a coal plant that achieves a seventy-percent carbon capture rate will qualify.  That’s an incentive that should encourage innovators to accelerate their efforts that will ultimately clean up our air.

The bill also provides tax incentives for companies purchasing equipment they use to capture, transport and store CO2, and for companies using CO2 for enhanced oil recovery. These are bold steps that continue our state’s tradition of innovation and will keep us out front in meeting our nation’s energy challenges.

I am proud of our legislators’ innovative approaches and think they deserve the chance to share their thoughts as well.

We invite all of you to get a discussion going.  Please submit your comments at the end of this article, Thanks.