 "Photo: Buddy Burkhalter")
U.S. senatorial candidate and Texas State Representative Rick Noriega unveiled the provisions of his new energy plan in the shadow of the UT Tower Wednesday morning.
Dozens of students and supporters covered in buttons and stickers gathered in the West Mall to hear Noriega describe how his plan will benefit Texans by creating new jobs, strenghthening the economy and improving national security.
Noriega called one tenet of the plan "100 percent in 10," which stipulates that electricity usage in all Texas households be entirely from renewable energy sources by the year 2019, 10 years after he takes office, if he is elected in November.
"This is very doable, [and] by doing that, we reduce the need for fossil fuels," Noriega said, standing at a podium, backed by about a dozen student supporters from University Democrats.
Noriega named three categories of his plan, which calls for a combination of short-term solutions, alternative fuels and a lift on the offshore drilling ban in order to solve America's energy crisis.
"The rest of the policies in the energy plan fall into three sections: immediate relief for Texas families, building the road to Texas and American energy self-sufficiency and developing a sustainable energy and economic future."
Noriega also said he advocates increased investment in the availability of alternative fuels, among other policies intended to increase the state's and nation's self-sufficiency.
Regarding his plan to lift the federal ban on offshore drilling, Noriega emphasized that the oil should be targeted for domestic use, not foreign exports.
"There are not many issues that can define a generation, but the issue of energy will define mine," said Jimmy Talarico, history sophomore and vice president of UniversityDemocrats, who introduced Texas Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, who spoke before Noriega.
Talarico said the group built a personal relationship with Noriega after he spoke at their first meeting last fall.
"He's honest with young people, he doesn't present a false choice between renewable energy and drilling," Talarico said. "It is that kind of attention to detail that makes the difference between a plan that just sounds great and a plan that can achieve greatness."
Republican incumbent John Cornyn's Web site says he also advocates for off-shore drilling and development of alternative energy sources.
"He has a typical answer when it comes to immediate relief for Texan families," said Kevin McLaughlin, a Cornyn campaign spokesman. "[Noriega's plan] won't do anything to lower the price of gas. It is a supply and demand issue."
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