Texas Campaign for the Environment: News

MEDIA RELEASE: February 15, 2010

Kay Bailey Hutchinson replies to your letters

Senator Hutchinson's reply to a TCE supporter’s letter to her campaign office:

Thank you for your note expressing your concerns about preserving and protecting our natural environment. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and comments.

Our quality of life, our economic competitiveness, and basic public safety, all depend on keeping our Texas environment clean and safe. As governor I will work with our agencies and provide private sector partners in waste management to make sure that we are good stewards of our environment.

E-waste, specifically in the form of discarded computers and smaller electronics, is the fastest growing type of waste in the United States. The primary disposal of e-waste in the United States is in landfills which can be harmful to the environment because e-waste can contain toxins including lead, mercury, and cadmium. Today, there are programs to assist in the recycling of e-waste. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) heads the Plug-In to eCycling program. In Texas, House Bill 2714 from the 80th Legislature requires computer manufacturers to provide for the recycling of their products.

As governor of Texas, I will build on these efforts, which protect our environment without placing unreasonable burdens on the citizens and businesses of Texas. Thank you for your encouragement and help in being good stewards of our beautiful state of Texas

Texas is the greatest state in America. I am running for governor to keep it that way, and I am asking for your support.

Sincerely,
Kay Bailey Hutchinson

TCE’s response:

We’re glad to hear Senator Hutchinson is familiar with the growing problems surrounding e-waste, understands various recycling initiatives and wants to build on their success. However, the Texas law Senator Hutchinson cites (HB 2714) only covers computer equipment. A similar bill for TV recycling was passed by state lawmakers but vetoed by Gov. Perry. We still need to know: if elected Governor, how will she “build on these [computer recycling] efforts”? Will Senator Hutchinson support future e-waste recycling legislation for TVs and other electronics?