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Assignment #4

Government 2306

Spring 2016

Conservation/Endangered Species

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/10/06/Dunes-Sagebrush-Lizard

1. Which reptile/amphibian was being considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)?

· The Dunes Sagebrush Lizard (DSL)

2. What did the Centers for Biological Diversity (CBD) and Defenders of Wildlife hope the Fish and Wildlife Service would reverse?

· To reverse its 2012 decision not to list the lizard as endangered.

3. What was significant about the 2012 decision?

· It was the first time that community engagement beat back a proposed ESA listing–a stinging defeat to a movement that has historically used lawsuits as an effective weapon.

4. Which member of the Plural Executive was granted intervenor status in the case?

· Texas Comptroller Susan Combs

5. What does the DSL story represent?

· It represents a new chapter in ESA compliance that allows conservation and productive activity to coexist.

6. Previously, what would generally follow an ESA -listed species determination in the states?

· Previously, presence of an ESA-listed species would shut down activity with harsh consequences for landowners and communities.

7. Did it stop the decline of the spotted owl?

· It did not stop the decline of the spotted owl.

8. Which industry was affected when the spotted owl was listed under ESA?

· The logging industry.

9. How did forest management in the west changed after the spotted owl was listed under the ESA?

· It leaving thousands of acres overgrown and unhealthy, resulting in the devastating wildfires.

10. Which areas in Texas would be affected?

11. Why are the Permian Basin of West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico so important?

· Because these area produces 15 percent of U.S. oil and 5 percent of natural gas, as well as a prime ranching and farming region–makes up about half of the DSL habitat.

12. What did the Texas Legislature do to counteract the possibility of the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard as an ESA target?

· It pass a bill creating the Interagency Task Force on Economic Growth and Endangered Species to help municipalities and regional governmental bodies cope with the ESA.

13. What did the state of Texas gain from being proactive?

· Texas was able to enact voluntary conservation programs that brought about the 2012 FWS decision not to list the lizard.

14. Who did the Texas approach protect?

· The Texas approach protects landowners from the ESA and the federal government.

15. Which university assisted with the research?

· Texas A&M University

16. What kind of tactics did Congressmen Steve Pearce from New Mexico use to describe the activity of some of the environmental groups?

· Sue-and-settle tactics.

17. How did Pearce describe this particular plan?

· The plan itself is a great example of how cooperative conservation efforts between private industry, state officials, landowners, and the federal government are more than adequate to protect species.

18. Which recent decision was not as successful as the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard (DSL)?

19. What was the main point of this article?

Electricity/Power

The Texas PUC and ObamaCare Bill Peacock

November 15, 2013

Texas Public Policy Foundation

http://www.texaspolicy.com/center/economic-freedom/blog/texas-puc-and-obamacare

1. What idea does the Public Utility Commission think would be best for Texas?

2. Who would pay for these capacity payments (corporate subsidies)?

· Paid by a $4 billion or so annual electricity tax on Texas consumers.

3. List the five impacts this might have on Texans.

· Consumer choice: greatly reduced

· Prices: increased

· Risk: shifted from generators to consumers

· Taxes on residential electricity bills: increased, by $150 or more per year

· Competition: greatly reduced

4. Who appoints the PUC commissioners?

· The governor.

5. Peacock believes electricity prices are low because supplies exceed demand. What happens when demand starts to increase relative to supply and what will these higher prices generate?

· As demand starts to increase relative to supply, prices will increase. Those higher prices will then generate new investment in generation to power.

6. List the three myths associated with the decrease in electricity?

· Generators' claims that they can't turn a profit

· Inaccurate forecasts of future reserves

· Studies by consultants claiming the free market won't work when it comes to electricity

7. What does Peacock think we should not ask consumer to do regarding generators' claim that they can't turn a profit?

8. What have past forecasts overstated?

· Past forecasts have overstated future demand and understated future supply.

9. What belief underscores the effort to impose a capacity market?

10. Have the future reserves even dipped below 10%?

· Yes, last year.

11. How about reserves to expected demand?

12. What does the author state regarding new generation in Texas?

· Generators have poured tens of billions of dollars into new generation in Texas.

13. The author thinks the problem stems from too much government intervention. How does the “market monitor and the PUC'S regulatory effort severely hamper market competition in the wholesale market?

14. How do state and federal subsidies for renewable energy distort the market?

15. What two other factors have disrupted competition and reduce wholesale prices?

16. What two suggestions does the author ask us to do to improve and reduce government intervention in the market and hence, avoid more regulations, higher prices, and higher taxes?

17. What was the main point of this article?

Texas Renewable Energy Requirement in Cross-Hairs at Capitol Asher Price

Statesman March 17, 2015

http://politics.blog.statesman.com/2015/03/17/texas-renewable-energy-requirement- in-cross-hairs-at-capitol/

1. Which state is the number one generator of wind power?

2. What does Senator Tory Fraser want to do?

3. What was the 2005 goal for renewable energy by 2015? What is the current production?

4. What does Senator Fraser's bill include? How much has it cost Texas ratepayers?

5. What does Jeff Clark, head of the Wind Coalition fear?

6. What was one strategy to kill the bill?

7. What justification does Bill Peacock give for the end to subsidies? The response from the renewable energy industry lobbyists?

8. What was the main point of this article?

More Bad News For The Green Lobby: No, Fracking Does Not Release Outrageous Amounts Of Methane, Says New Study

Erika Johnsen

Proceeding from the National Academy of Science David Allen

National Journal September 17, 2013

1. What did the new study from the Proceedings of the National Academies of Science conclude?

2. What were two concerns of the environmental group?

3. Who was a lead author of the study?

4. How does the surface equipment effect on-the-ground methane emissions?

5. What effect does the surface equipment have on the fracking rigs?

6. What is the overall conclusion regrading total methane emissions?

7. Why is the timing of this study especially goof for the White House?

8. What was the main point of this article?

Water

Go to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) http://www.twdb.texas.gov/

Print in the title of the article in the search area.

This is an article that shows the research and development functions of the TWDB and the use of grant funds by the TWDB to explore and develop water sources on a regional level.

Houston Metro Success Story: Luce Bayou Interbasin Transfer Project Water Projects for Texas/ Texas Water Development Board/News Media

1. What is the Luce Bayou Interbasin Transfer Project supply for the community?

2. What has caused the ground to subside?

3. What is the region’s primary water source?

4. What are the Houston and Galveston Subsidence Districts and Fort Bend Subsidence Districts now requiring?

5. What demographic change in Houston is prompting the increased demand? (Be specific)

6. What will the Luce Bayou Interbasin Transfer project transfer?

7. What three items will be needed to convey the untreated water to Lake Houston?

8. What will happen in Lake Houston?

9. What will happen after transfer and treatment?

10. Who will be the end users?

11. The project is slated to begin in 2015. When the strategy was first developed and how much will it cost?

12. Why was the Texas Water Development Board’s (TWDB’s) assistance so critical?

State to Study Desalination of Gulf Water as Viable Option in face of Drought Heather Alexander

Houston Chronicle

April 3, 2014

(A proposal to study the current water shortage by the Texas state legislature)

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/texas/article/State-to-study-desalination-of- Gulf-water-as-5370551.php?cmpid=hpfc

1. What is Rep. Todd Hunter hoping to do?

2. What is desalination?

3. How does the cost compare?

4. What will the new committee look for in this study?

5. What two concerns dictate that desalination is a must?

6. How many desalination plants are there and what type of “water” is used in these plants?

7. What does the state water board tell us about the amount of brackish water in Texas?

8. What happened in Australia and California?