Burnam Files Legislation To Address Global Warming In Texas

State Rep. Lon Burnam (D-Fort Worth) has filed legislation to establish a global warming task force in Texas.

The task force would assess the economic and public health impacts of global warming on Texas.

Burnam noted that he filed the bill on a day when President Bush is expected to address global warming in his State Of The Union Address:

“For too long, there has been a bogus debate on global warming fueled by junk science,” said Rep. Burnam. “Now, that ‘debate’ is over. Just last week ExxonMobil admitted that global warming is a real threat and that greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide contribute to the problem. It’s time the state of Texas begins to make preparations to deal with the potential fallout from this very real crisis.ʺ

Burnam’s global warming bill is probably the most significant global warming-related happening in the Lege since the Joint Select Committee on Toxic Air Emissions and the Greenhouse Effect first studied global warming and appropriate responses in Texas back in 1991 [report here, .pdf].
“The state is like the proverbial ostrich with its head in the sand. We need a plan to deal with this challenge. At the same time, the reality of global warming provides excellent opportunities for businesses that innovate and create solutions to these problems. My bill directs the global warming task force to investigate and prepare for the worst while seeking opportunities for businesses that do the right
thing,” Burnam said.
“I do hope, as it has been reported, that the President addresses global warming tonight. And I hope that the state of Texas will take the necessary steps to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for a carbon-constrained economy.”

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