Wednesday, February 28, 1979 Austin American-Statesman A9 Clements, Carter unveil energy, rationing plans From Wire Reports WASHINGTON — The nation's gover- nors reacted with collective indifference Tuesday to the so-called Texas energy plan proposed by Gov. Bill Clements. The plan, basically a no-holds-barred ap- proach to national energy development that would loosen or remove governmental price controls, regulations and environ- mental restraints, was drafted and en- dorsed by a cadre of top state officials in- cluding Clements, Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby, House Speaker Bill Clayton, Atty. Gen. Mark White and members of the Texas Railroad Commission. Clements detailed its basic points in an eight-page speech to his gubernatorial col- leagues, who were only partly attentive, in the closing general session of the gover- nors' three-day meeting here. There was no comment, and the governors quickly moved on to the next speaker. "I am disappointed there was not a dis- cussion of this plan from the floor," said Clements later. He insisted that presenta- tion of the hi-partisan Texas proposal was nevertheless "a significant step forward" and predicted it will be discussed by the governors when they meet again in July. The Texas plan recommends a national energy policy that would: • "Unfetter" the petroleum and coal in- dustry from government regulation and remove barriers to nuclear power plant construction. • Allow energy development on the 60 percent of federal lands where mining and drilling is now prohibited. • Ease environmental restrictions, in- cluding "excessive regulations" that re- strict construction of deep water "super- ports" and liquified natural gas terminals. • Channel all windfall energy profits into research and development. • Promote a "sensible" energy conserva- tion program that relies on such measures as speed limits, building codes, and trans- portation efficiency standards. Clements said he is "totally opposed" to gasoline al- location or rationing. • Encourage development of "exotic en- ergy sources such as solar, fusion, wind, geothermal and gasahol," none of which will be practical until the next century, said Clements. Clements' presentation came on the same day that President Carter proposed a standby gasoline rationing plan to be used only in an energy emergency. The plan, which Carter says he has no present intention of putting into effect, is to be submitted formally on Thursday. Under the proposed standby plan, gaso- line would, if necessary, be rationed by mailing gasoline allotment "checks" to owners of registered vehicles, tO be "cashed in" for ration coupons at banks or other institutions. Clements says Texas might take on By BRENDA BELL some kind of reasonable accommodation (to and GUILLERMO GARCIA nuclear waste disposal)," said Clements fol- American Statesman Staff lowing the governors' session with Udall, who is chairman of the House interior com- mittee, and deputy energy secretary James O'Leary. "We do hav nuclear •waste in Texas — the problem already exists," said Clements, referring to small amounts of waste from research nuclear reactors in the state. An Austin anti-nuclear-power advocate, Rick Piltz, of the Texas Mobilization for Sur- WASHINGTON — Texas governor Bill Cle- ments indicated Tuesday that Texas might be able to accommodate a nuclear waste dis- posal site — a prospect that other states are clamoring to avoid. Clements made his statement after Rep. Morris Udall, D-Ariz., told the National Governors' Association that "nuclear (power) isn't going anywhere" unless the • Texas energy plan, A9 various states get rid of their "psychological barriers" against locating nuclear dumps in their own backyards. "You're not going to see any more plants ordered until we do something about ( the waste)," said Udall. "We really need sup- port from the governors. . . It all boils down to public acceptance." "I'm not sure we in Texas couldn't have nuclear waste disposal vival, meanwhile, blasted Clement's posi- tion, terming it an "attempt at a politically expedient solution when there has not yet been developed a scientifically safe way to dispose of or store high-level radioactive wastes." "Where is there a safe place in Texas to permanently dispose of and store nuclear wastes," Piltz asked, "and who is going to make the decision ( of where to store such wastes). . . Is the governor to presume to make that decision for all Texans? . . All we are getting from the governor is an ac- commodation to the nuclear industry at a time when there are serious safety questions that need to be addressed." Clements said he agreed with North Ca- rolina governor James Hunt and Minnesota governor Albert Quie, who suggested the fed- eral government put its hazardous wastes on its own land. A bill introduced in the Texas legislature would require that nuclear dump sites be ap- proved by the state's lawmakers.
