That the bill failed to mention nuclear energy demonstrates a lack of insight into its development as a clean, environmentally sound source of energy.

Congress needs to take into consideration that by 2030, electricity in the U.S. Is projected to increase in usage by 45%. Acting now to promote Fossil Fuel alternatives will help future transition from a fuel that now constitutes 85% of U.S. Energy consumption. The bill must address incentives for companies to invest in nuclear power, safety concerns and the permitting process.

Renewable electricity

Sound legislation with goals that mandate renewable electricity require that 6% come from solar and geothermal sources, wind and biomass by 2012 and 25% from renewable sources by 2025.

Because most states and many companies generate a higher percentage of power from renewable sources, these goals are reachable.

The Texas senate has a bill pending that would encourage Texas to take advantage of its advantageous positioning, giving it more wind power capacity than any other state. Texas has a wind power capacity of approximately 5%. The bill would encourage Texas to use other renewable power sources for energy.

The Waxman-Markey measures' tax breaks and provision for governors to use measures to meet the energy efficiency mandate are in place to make this work.

CO2 Emission Caps

Because Texas has the highest proportion of energy-intensive industries in the nation, this bill is critical to the state. The most critical is the part that proposes a gradual cut in CO2 emissions 83%below those levels in 2005, by 2050. This is a goal that would require some power supply companies to acquire credits to offset their emissions.