Texas Register, Volume 2, Number 12, Pages 507-562, February 11, 1977 Page: 557
507-562 p. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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557
of solid waste management. including the eventual im-
plementation of waste conversion technologies.
It is specifically recommended that the state include
within the scope of the Omnibus Tax Reduction Act of
1975 (HB 546, 64th Texas Legislature) all wind and
biomass conversion systems, as well as solar energy
systems: that the wording of that act be modified to ap-
ply to any firm which is engaged in the manufacture,
sale, or installation of such systems; and that the state
take steps to define the legal rights of the public to solar
radiation and wind which passes onto private property.
These tax exemptions should expire after a reasonable
period of time.
Loan guarantees for synthetic fuels
it is recognized that the potential exists for synthetic
fuels to supplement our dwindling supplies of fossil
fuels; that substantial financial risks are currently in-
volved in the corn mercialization of synthetic-fuels tech-
nologies that government assistance in research.
development. and demonstration efforts directed
toward synthetic fuel processes is needed; and that es-
tahlishm(ent of reasonable regulatory and licensing pro-
cedulres will be required prior to commercialization of
these process . It is also recognized that the function
of the free marketplace is to determine the true value of
products. to aI locate scarce resources, and to provide
private enterprise with the necessary incentives to take
the risks associated with commercialization of new
technologies.
While it is recommended that free market prices be
allowed to provide the basic incentives for private sec-
tor commercialization of all alternative energy sources.
including synthetic fuels, it is recognized that these
prices may not he sufficient to insure their timely com-
mercialization Therefore, it is further recommended
that the federal government provide support for syn-
thetic fuels development and prototype demonstration
in the form of loan guarantees and the establishment of
regulatory and licensing procedures which will not un-
duly restrict their potential for future commercializa-
tion.
Natural gas deregulation
it is recognized that natural gas resources in Texas are
not being fully developed while at the same time shor-
tages of natural gas exist in the interstate market; that
the primary reason for this shortage is the Federal
Power Commission's price regulation for gas flowing
into the interstate market: and that this shortage will
continue to grow if the price of natural gas is regulated
below the free-market price.
It is recognized that the value of this resource will con-
tinue to increase as environmental quality becomes
more difficult to maintain; and that it is imperative to
find and produce new natural gas supplies to meet
growing demands.It is recognized that the price ceilings on intrastate
natural gas would restrict the development of badly
needed new supplies of natural gas for Texas con-
sumers and result in shortages. It is recognized that
adjustments to free-market prices from historically low
prices will be painful to some customers who (lid not an-
ticipate major price increases. However, it is also recog-
nized that consumer energy costs' will be decreased
relative to available alternatives as new gas supplies
are found and brought to market.
It is recognized that a phased deregulation process
would serve to mitigate abrupt price increases to exist
ing customers; that the deregulation of producers
prices for new natural gas Wvould provide an incentive
for exploration and would provide the nation's oil and
gas operators with the ability to attract needed invest
ment capital:; and that deregulation would encourage
sales in the interstate market and ease the specter of
sharp curtailments in the many status relying on in-
terstate supplies.
Therefore. it is recommended that federal legislation be
enacted which would remove wellhead price restric
tions from interstate natural gas with appropriate pro-
visions to protect against discriminatory preemption of
existing intrastate gas supplies: and that ultimately all
government controls over natural gas prices should be
abolished.
It is also recommended that the exploration, develop
ment, and processing activities of oil and gas operators
engaged in other facets of hoth the national and state
levels by the availability of the same free market price
and other contractual terms and provisions for all gas
produced and p)rocessed by these oil and gas operator:
as is available to other non affiliated operators and pro
cessors with similar transactions Finally, it is also
recommended that the enactment of well head price
ceilings for intra state natural gas production be op-
posed. Free-market prices will encourage conservation
of natural gas and the conversion to alternate energy
savers.
Nuclear power
It is recognized that nuclear power is a necessary
energy alternative to our dwindling reserves of oil and
gas; that diversification of basic energy supplies
reduces economic uncertainty; that nuclear power as
demonstrated f:r 20 years can be safe, clean, and relia
ble: and that although certain environmental and
safety concerns must be resolved, nuclear development
offers the potential for expanding future supplies of
energy.
It is recognized that Texas has uranium reserves which
can significantly contribute to the nation's energy
needs and that the developing nuclear industry, con-
sisting of uranium mining, milling, conversion, and\',lnIw 2. ,umwhr 12. I", h irun I 1. 1.977
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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/m1/51/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.