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Texas is experiencing a humanitarian crisis.
People are burning furniture to heat their homes, melting snow to flush their toilets, risking carbon monoxide poisoning to protect their children.
If Texas was a country, we would call it a “failed state.” #txlege
People are burning furniture to heat their homes, melting snow to flush their toilets, risking carbon monoxide poisoning to protect their children.
If Texas was a country, we would call it a “failed state.” #txlege
ERCOT must be held accountable. But that’s not where the blame lies.
Politicians will try to throw ERCOT under the bus to deflect attention from our state’s failed polices of deregulation and privatization.
Texans must ask their *elected leaders* these 4 questions:
Politicians will try to throw ERCOT under the bus to deflect attention from our state’s failed polices of deregulation and privatization.
Texans must ask their *elected leaders* these 4 questions:
1. Why is our grid not winterized?
Texas fossil fuel plants aren’t equipped to withstand winter storms, and no one requires them to be.
It’ll cost extra, but other states have done it (see map).
This disaster is costing money and lives. We didn’t pay then, so we’re paying now.
Texas fossil fuel plants aren’t equipped to withstand winter storms, and no one requires them to be.
It’ll cost extra, but other states have done it (see map).
This disaster is costing money and lives. We didn’t pay then, so we’re paying now.
2. Why are we disconnected from the national grid?
Texas wants to avoid federal regulation, but that comes at a price: we can’t borrow power from other states.
During the last blackout in 2011, Mexico bailed us out.
Our secessionist tendencies aren’t quirky—they’re deadly.
Texas wants to avoid federal regulation, but that comes at a price: we can’t borrow power from other states.
During the last blackout in 2011, Mexico bailed us out.
Our secessionist tendencies aren’t quirky—they’re deadly.
3. Why does our energy system put profits over people?
Privatization allows corporations to profit off the suffering of our citizens.
Scarcity drives up prices, which is good for industry, but bad for Texans.
Heat in the depths of winter isn’t a commodity; it’s a human right.
Privatization allows corporations to profit off the suffering of our citizens.
Scarcity drives up prices, which is good for industry, but bad for Texans.
Heat in the depths of winter isn’t a commodity; it’s a human right.
4. Why are we ignoring climate change?
Extreme weather events—like polar vortexes—are becoming more frequent.
This blackout should push Texas to lead the world toward a safer future.
Renewables, which outperformed fossil fuels this week, are how we *prevent* climate disasters.
Extreme weather events—like polar vortexes—are becoming more frequent.
This blackout should push Texas to lead the world toward a safer future.
Renewables, which outperformed fossil fuels this week, are how we *prevent* climate disasters.
These are serious questions that need serious answers.
State policymakers—like me—don’t have all the solutions yet, but we won’t even attempt to develop them unless our constituents demand it.
Call your state legislators and tell us to get serious about energy and climate.
State policymakers—like me—don’t have all the solutions yet, but we won’t even attempt to develop them unless our constituents demand it.
Call your state legislators and tell us to get serious about energy and climate.
In the decade after the 2011 blackout, state leaders prioritized bathrooms, border walls, and basketball game anthems.
It may seem like silly political theater for Republican primary voters, but these distractions suck up all the policy-making oxygen during legislative sessions.
It may seem like silly political theater for Republican primary voters, but these distractions suck up all the policy-making oxygen during legislative sessions.
I don’t want to live through this again. I don’t want to see Texans suffer like this again.
But if we spend another decade distracted by political sideshows, history will repeat itself.
As scripture warns: we reap what we sow.
But if we spend another decade distracted by political sideshows, history will repeat itself.
As scripture warns: we reap what we sow.
