Environment Texas Research & Policy Center is a 501(c)(3) organization. We are dedicated to protecting our air, water and open spaces. We investigate problems, craft solutions, educate the public and decision-makers, and help the public make their voices heard in local, state and national debates over the quality of our environment and our lives.

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Our research and public education work are made possible by tax-deductible contributions from generous citizens and foundation.

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Plug in to clean energy.

Over 40 percent of the energy consumed in America goes to heat, cool and power our homes and businesses — and it creates nearly half of our greenhouse gas emissions. You can plug in to clean energy, and save a buck while you’re at it.

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Our Latest Report

In the Path of the Storm

Weather disasters kill or injure hundreds of Americans each year and cause billions of dollars in economic damage. The risks posed by some types of weather-related disasters will likely increase in a warming world. Scientists have already detected increases in extreme precipitation events and heat waves in the United States, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently concluded that global warming will likely lead to further changes in weather extremes.

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In the Path of the Storm

More Research, Policy, Education & Action

News Release | Environment Texas

84 Percent of Texans Live in Areas Hit by Recent Weather Disasters; New Report Says Global Warming to Bring More Extreme Weather

AUSTIN - After a year that saw Texas hit by scorching heat, devastating wildfires, and extreme drought, a new Environment Texas report documents how global warming could lead to certain extreme weather events becoming even more common or more severe in the future. The report found that, already, 84% of Texans live in counties affected by federally declared weather-related disasters since 2006, including last year’s wildfires.

News Release | Environment Texas

Building Officials Approve Major Increase in Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Commercial Buildings

AUSTIN—Largely unnoticed in the shadow of upcoming midterm elections, the International Code Council—a body of building officials from local and state governments across the country—convened in Charlotte, North Carolina during the last week of October to make what is arguably the most significant energy policy decision of 2010. The Council meets every three years to consider updates to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), the standard by which new homes and businesses are built, and this year, they voted overwhelmingly for stronger energy efficiency standards.

News Release | Environment Texas

Clean Cars Would Save Texans over $16 million on Thanksgiving Travel

AUSTIN — As Texas families prepare for one of the busiest travel holidays of the year, a new Environment Texas report finds that more fuel efficient cars would save Texans over $16 million at the gas pump this Thanksgiving holiday alone. The report was released as new federal fuel efficiency and global warming pollution standards for cars and light trucks are being developed.

News Release | Environment Texas

Statement of Environment Texas Director Luke Metzger on New Austin Facility for SunPower

AUSTIN-Environment Texas Director Luke Metzger issued the following announcement upon news that solar company SunPower will establish a new U.S. operations center in Austin, creating at least 450 jobs.

News Release | Environment Texas

Environment Texas Helps Texans Plug into Clean Energy for Earth Day

AUSTIN—On the eve of Earth Day, Environment Texas released a new guide to help Texans improve the energy performance of their homes and workplaces. The renewable energy and energy-saving measures proposed by Environment Texas’s Plug into Clean Energy Guide promise to lower energy bills and reduce pollution from power plants across the state.

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Featured Staff

Tessa McClellan

Field Associate

Tessa McClellan is currently leading Environment Texas' efforts to protect Galveston Bay and to improve energy efficiency in buildings.

Read more about our staff

Research & Policy Results

Reducing Mercury Pollution

On December 21, President Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the first-ever nationwide standard for mercury and air toxics pollution from power plants. A record 907,000 Americans submitted comments on the standard, which is expected to cut toxic mercury pollution from power plants by 90 percent. Environment Texas Research and Policy Center worked for more than a decade to win this rule and we are very excited by the victory.

Cleaning up our air

On June 30, San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro announced that the city-owned CPS Energy will retire the polluting Deely power plant by the year 2018 and replace its power with additional investments in solar and other clean sources of energy. According to our research, in 2009, the Deely plant emitted 3657 tons of nitrogen oxide, a key precursor to smog pollution, and is a major source of mercury pollution.

Attacks on public health defeated—for now.

The coal lobby and their allies are trying to block the EPA from protecting public health, but we’ve held the line against some of their worst attacks: In March, the U.S. Senate rejected a bill that would have blocked standards for soot, mercury and carbon pollution. In April, the Senate defeated four more bills that would have blocked the EPA from cutting air pollution.

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Building a greener future

Environment Texas Research & Policy Center gratefully accepts bequests, beneficiary designations of IRAs and life insurance, and gifts of securities to support our work. Your gift will assure that we can continue to protect Texas' air, water and open spaces for future generations.

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Environment Texas Research & Policy Center works closely with Environment Texas, a 501 (c)(4) organization. Click here to visit the Environment Texas website.