How Texas is responding to global warming

Battleground state

The state's lack of action on global warming policy doesn't mean it hasn't been a significant battleground on the issue.

Texas carbon dioxide emissions of 670 million metric tons in 2003, the latest year available, were nearly double the amount released in California, according to the Energy Information Administration. The biggest emitters in Texas are industrial facilities, followed closely by electric generation plants, then cars and trucks.

The volume could have gone up significantly in the next few years if the state's largest utility had its way. TXU was the leader of what many characterized as a "coal rush" in Texas. The utility wanted to build 11 coal-fired power plants that would have spewed another 78 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

The company had the outspoken support of Perry, who ordered state agencies to fast track all permits for new power plants. But the effort stalled when an unlikely coalition of environmental groups, Texas mayors, property owners and business leaders fought the plants.

Eventually, the company dropped plans for eight of the 11 plants when a buyout emerged that was brokered in part by the advocacy group Environmental Defense. The buyout included a provision that the company would reduce its overall carbon dioxide emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

Judi Greenwald with the Pew Center on Global Climate Change said the deal grabbed attention across the country.

"TXU had been a poster child for building coal plants willy-nilly before they turned around," she said. "I think that had a big impact on the debate. I think that sort of turnaround in Texas was politically significant."

Greenwald also said Texas' penchant for renewable energy, particularly wind, has helped the industry as a whole shed any stigma that might be associated with green issues in some segments of the country.