So I know that as a Texan maybe I shouldn't let y'all in into some of the secrets of this state

But a lot of my friends have kids, dogs, and loved ones where they & others are living in total darkness & freezing temperatures

So let's talk about the #TexasBlackout #TxWx #houwx

To start I'll let y'all know I'm in #Houston, I'm one of the lucky few with power, & who managed to fill up bathtubs with water before that was cut from us

We've been asked by our electric companies like @energyinsights to cut our usage to reduce the load on our the power grid

They in turn are getting directives to cut power consumption by @ERCOT_ISO who manage our very own state power grid

You heard correctly, awhile back ago Texans here decided "let's get off the nat power grid & make our own"

& so they did, and that's why rich ppl like this place

Our legislators had been warned "make sure you winterize your power grid" before the winter storm got here

They did NOT heed these warnings & as such Sunday night came & everyone...you guessed it. Turned up their heaters to stay warm

Now let's set some things straight aight:

1st: whatever legislators w/a national presence like say @DanPatrick @GregAbbott_TX @DanCrenshawTX @KenPaxtonTX @JohnCornyn @tedcruz say about renewables to blame

Is a bold faced LIE

The truth is they've been too busy whining about "progressives" to invest in our infrastructure

This is a once in a generation storm...this is true

But Texas is USED to cold temperature, disasters of all sorts, and even yes...you guessed it. Being lied to by legislators in this state

So you'll excuse us if we had at least some faith that they wouldn't just let us freeze

I've been in many parts of my state & grew up in the Panhandle of Texas

I know for a FACT there's been snow up there before, along with frigid wind chills that would make most Northerners cry in pain

This should've been just a spike in energy consumption in this state

Instead: we're losing power by the day, people have gone almost 2-3 days now without power and/or water

& our governor has the balls to go on Fox News & lie to everyone by blaming it on things like wind turbines & federal subsidies

Meanwhile we have to turn elsewhere to survive

ERCOT themselves even admitted that the power grid failed not due to renewable energy but for the thermal ones that Republicans tend to love

I should also let you know about our Texas Legislature, to start: our lawmakers only meet ones every 2 years https://twitter.com/JohnnieMo/status/1361797340026318848?s=20

& this year is that special year folks, & the power outtages are on EVERYONE'S minds now

https://twitter.com/JohnnieMo/status/1361698668550582272?s=20

After a year of seeing Texas repubs lick Trump's boot & one of them introducing a bill for secession (yeah they still want that) forgive us if we're a little tired

Did I mention that they want to raise the prices on us RIGHT NOW....yes you heard that. During an energy crisis on top of a pandemic, on top of the election we just had

They want to RAISE prices for people who don't have fixed prices for their power https://www.caller.com/story/news/local/texas/state-bureau/2021/02/16/texas-power-outages-commission-gives-grid-operator-ok-adjust-prices/6762188002/

That last post sums up a lot of the stuff I've been talking about on this thread.

Make NO mistake....this is hitting our black & brown communities the hardest

& here's another thread about the grifting our governor is doing on national television https://twitter.com/RespectableLaw/status/1361871374696869888?s=20

I beg you, Help us. Yes our polticians SUCK & the ppl keep falling for the same tricks over & OVER again

But we don't deserve to freeze to death because of this incompetency

In my county carbon monoxide deaths are rising just because people are getting desperate to get warm

My nieces don't deserve this man, & especially my nephew who is depending on this power grid in the hospital he's in

retweet, share, like but you don't have to follow...I ain't here to get followers

I'm here to tell you my family, friends, neighbors need any help possible

There's a lot of mutal aid places but if you only need one place to start @saintcedes over at @TXWFP would be more than happy to get you some help & point you in the direction if you can be of use somewhere else

This ain't no joke

This WILL happen again if we let it

Climate change is REAL folks. The summers will get hotter and the winters are gonna get colder.

If we don't start now....then we'll never start

Talk all the shit on Texans that you want to, IDGAFF....but please show some empathy & at least try to pretend to help us out

Some other orgs I'm involved in that I want to give a plug to in case they can point you in the right direction

@WorkingFamilies @UWDTexas @HoustonDSA @eviction_aid @VetsAboutFace @WeJoinFrontline & for sure @mutualaidhou @weststrecovery @HocHtx @SunriseMvmtHTX

& some hashtags that haven't been in this thread for y'all #texaspoweroutage #TexasWinterStorm2021 #TexasFreeze #TexasPowerGrid #texaswinterstorm #houstonblackout #dallaspoweroutage #sanantoniosnow

feel free to quote do whatever w/this thread...add what you can

I love you all