Texas Energy

In the article, "Clean energy to Texas", the author writes about the benefits that Texas/Texans gain from the involvement of companies working for clean energy. I agree with the author in that it could be good if Texas becomes self reliant for energy. I'm glad that energy conservation has become the new "in" . Mother nature is in need of some help after the years of being on the back burner. I read the article, "Pond scum could be the fuel of the future" by the Asher Price of the Statesman. This article talks about how the University of Texas is hopeful about gaining government funding for a new technology that could provide bio diesel from algae cells. The University of Texas is home to the largest collection of algae in the world. I have also heard that Pedernales Electric Company, which is the electricity company in my area, allows for you to ask that your electricity come from wind farms. I think it is good that companies support energy advances because they have a lot of pull in the government and a lot of influence in society. There is alot of potential in Texas because of its array of different environments, and we are in need of something to replace our oil income.

Permanent Texas Relief Program

The process to get Texas's coast cleaned up and it's citizens in a live-able situation is taking FEMA an unreasonable amount of time. I could not agree more with Governor Rick Perry when he said, “Such a pace is unacceptable when we have Texans sleeping in cars next door to trailers with locks on them.” It has been almost three months since hurricane Ike hit the Texas coast and there are still people without homes and debris everywhere. Although they did make some quick response efforts, it may be out numbered by the stagnant relief for Texas citizens. Mike Synder of Houston Chronicle, covers a story of Edna Barlow who is diabetic along with heart and lung problems. Edna goes out to her car to get relief from the temperature of a house that has no power. This seems to be a widespread problem but, why are they not in some form of a live-able home?

When Katrina hit I think they threw a lot of money out where now it is being withheld. Mike mentioned that "some advocates for the poor said FEMA has overreacted to reports of fraud in the aftermath of Katrina, imposing rigorous requirements that delay assistance to people who desperately need it." There was a lot of wasted spending with the Katrina aftermath. FEMA needs be cautious but not overprotective. If they are going to try to be more restrictive of funds they need to do it in a timely manner. People are trying to get their counties up and running but lack of money is delaying the process. After three months going by I would think things would at least be cleaned up. Although not all blame can be placed on the federal government. Texas could learn from this Ike situation there were a lot of problems in the shelter arrangements, although they seemed to have fixed them in an efficient amount of time. I think this is a good time for Rick to step up and figure out a way to get people in stable situations. He could bank on this for his political campaigns if he does it right. Maybe Texas should have it's own permanent relief program, Rick could sponsor the program. What if people get so frustrated that they don't go back. That area is very rich in resources and a large part of Texas economic income. If there are no workers there is no refineries.