[Blake]

AUSTIN, Texas -- July 10, 2006 -- Independent gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman today began a five-day listening tour focusing on environmental issues and renewable energy sources across Texas.

"Texas has an opportunity to reclaim its independence - in politics and in renewable energy," Friedman said. "Renewable fuels, solar power, wind power and green buildings - these aren't just affordable solutions to our current energy crisis, they represent new economic opportunities for Texans."

Friedman has said he will make investments in efficient, renewable technologies a priority when he is governor, and will look for ways to pass the cost savings on to taxpayers who have been hit with skyrocketing electric bills.

"The time has come for clean energy and clean government in Texas," Friedman said. "Only a true independent - one not beholden to special interest dollars - will lead Texas to becoming an energy leader once again. Investments in renewable technologies will stabilize prices, create jobs, reduce pollution, and help the bottom line of everyone who pays an electric bill."

Stops along the tour include a meeting with the Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention; a tour of the Houston Ship Channel and a Baytown petrochemical plant; a visit to the home Rev. David Hudson in DeBerry, whose community's water supply has been affected by contaminated groundwater; a pontoon boat tour of Caddo Lake and meetings with representatives from the Greater Caddo Lake Association; a tour of the Biodiesel Industries of Greater Dallas/Fort Worth facility in Denton; a tour of wind power farms with the West Texas Wind Energy Consortium in Sweetwater; a meeting with members of T.P.O.W.E.R. (Texans Protecting Our Water Environment and Resources) at the Riesel Fair outside of Waco; and a tour of Meridian Energy Systems and their solar installation at the Palmer Events Center near downtown Austin.