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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Department of Health has issued a report |
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outlining the increased risk of extreme weather events, including |
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wildfires, water scarcity, and flooding, and these impacts of |
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climate change will affect Texas citizens and impair productivity |
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in key economic areas; and |
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WHEREAS, Texas' total annual greenhouse gas emissions are the |
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largest of any state, and it has the highest amount of industrial |
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and transportation-related emissions in the country; in 1999, Texas |
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became the first state in the nation to adopt an Energy Efficiency |
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Resource Standard, but has since fallen significantly behind in |
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energy efficiency; while 40 states saw increases in energy |
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efficiency compared to total energy consumption between 2008 and |
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2016, Texas was among those that experienced decreases; and |
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WHEREAS, The state has more than 233,000 people working in |
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advanced energy across all 254 of its counties, representing more |
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workers than those in mining and oil and gas, and double those |
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working at auto dealerships; Texas has great potential to maximize |
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its advanced energy job market in order to increase energy |
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efficiency and the use of its renewable energy sources; and |
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WHEREAS, Efforts to address climate change and its effects |
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would strengthen our economy and its global competitiveness, as |
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well as reduce pollutants that adversely impact the health of many |
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state residents; a leader in technological innovation and |
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problem-solving ingenuity, Texas recognizes the inherent worth of |
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our natural resources and has a strong tradition of supporting |
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stewardship of the environment; and |
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WHEREAS, Preservation of the state's role as a leader in |
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fiscal responsibility depends on the prudent management of our |
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land, air, and water, and the conservation and maintenance of |
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ecosystems will benefit future generations; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature hereby urge the members of the Texas delegation of the |
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United States Congress to move forward with bipartisan climate |
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action policy initiatives and encourage individuals, corporations, |
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and state agencies to reduce emissions and support the growth of |
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technologies and services that will enlarge and diversify our |
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economy in energy-efficient, cost-effective ways; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That the chief clerk forward official copies of |
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this resolution to the Texas delegation of the United States |
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Congress as an expression of sentiment by the Texas House of |
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Representatives. |