Texas Register, Volume 2, Number 12, Pages 507-562, February 11, 1977 Page: 556
507-562 p. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
556
declining supplies of domestically produced oil and gas;
that horizontal divestiture would be counterproductive
in the national effort to diversify our energy base
through the development of alternate sources; that
divestiture would adversely affect our balance of pay-
menrits and weaken our economy; and that divestiture
would result in years of litigation to determine property
interests after fragmentation.
Therefore, it is concluded that divestiture is contrary to
the national interest. It is recommended that the
federal government emphasize enforcement of anti-
trust legislation as a remedy for alleged anti-competi-
tive aspects of the petroleum industry. Any enforce-
ment of anti-trust laws should be applied equally to all
U.S. industry.
Incentives for developing technologies
It is recognized that technology development offers the
potential for improvement in the availability and
utilization of our energy resources; that the successful
development of technologies to increase our domestic
supplies and to reduce our domestic demand can allow
the achievement of energy-independence goals; and
that technology development can provide substantial
benefits to society at large and to local areas in the form
of increased economic activity, new jobs, and incomes.
It is recognized that the development of technology is
both an expensive and a risky activity; that precedent
exists for government involvement in research,
development, and demonstration (RD&l)i of new tech-
nologies, that RD& D projects should be evaluated cri-
tically to assign priority to those projects which offer
the most economic solutions to the present energy prob-
lem: that major responsibility for government funding
of basic RI)&DI) lies with the federal government: and
that more direct and formal state input is needed in
funding and siting decisions. It is also recognized that
federal RI)&I) programs will often overlook projects of
regional or state significance and will often bypass com-
petent local research facilities, industry, and manpower
in preference to federal laboratories and contractors. It
is further recognized that the state can provide incen-
tives for the development of new and developing tech-
nologies and remove undesirable barriers which might
forestall their widespread use; and that success in
development of these technologies will depend upon
complete cooperation and coordination between federal,
state, and local governments and industrial partici-
pants.
Therefore. it is recommended that the state support the
development and location in Texas of desirable new
technologies: that such support include letters of endor-
sement and encouragement to appropriate federal
agencies including recommendation of federal tax in-
centives; that the state continue to remove undesirable
institutional and regulatory barriers to development;that the state support funding of university and state
agency RD&D to support these technologies; and that
the development of these technologies includes the
identification of potential economic, environmental,
and institutional impacts from these technology
developments.
Development of solar, wind, biomass, and geother-
mal energy
We recognize that large areas of Texas are among the
best areas of solar radiation in the United States; that
large portions of north and west Texas are situated in
the most intensive wind energy region in the United
States: and that promising wind characteristics exist
along the southern Gulf Coast. It is further recognized
that growing problems of locating acceptable landfills
for the disposal of solid wastes and of providing treat-
ment of municipal sewage may be partially eliminated
through' the conversion of the organic fraction of such
waste to energy, thereby also supplementing the fossil
resources available. In addition, Texas has a large
agricultural sector which produces significant quan-
tities of organic wastes, and is capable of cultivating
high yield crops specifically for energy conservation,
and particularly has a potential for ocean energy-farm-
ing. It is further recognized that a potenti i1 exists for
tapping thermal energy through the drilling of wells
into known and yet to be discovered geothermal forma-
tions for the production of steam and thereby electric
power.
It is therefore recommended that the state support and
encourage the development of these resources and
technologies by federal programs in Texas; and that the
state sebk maximum participation in the allocation of
federal funds for such programs so as to more ac-
curately reflect the needs of this state, and, if neces-
sary. contribute what funds may be necessary in the
form of matching or seed money to attract such federal
programs.
it is further recommended that the state encourage the
federal government to develop or assist in the develop-
ment of standards and product evaluation in the in
terest of consumer protection; that this information be
widely disseminated; that the state monitor such
developments and make such information available to
the public; and that training needs be monitored
through state universities and colleges for needed in-
stallation and service technicians.
It is also recommended that the state encourage and
support the basic research of these technologies; that
the state examine the possible legal and institutional
barriers that may presently exist to the widespread use
of these technologies; and that the state support and
cooperate with the Texas Department of Health
Resources in order to assist in the orderly developmentVlumn . 2.Number 12. *'ehrtuary II. 1977
O
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas. Secretary of State. Texas Register, Volume 2, Number 12, Pages 507-562, February 11, 1977, periodical, February 11, 1977; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth252905/m1/50/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.