Keep the Pressure On to Keep the Power On

Extreme weather fueled by the climate crisis is here. As temperatures rise, so does our anger and anxiety as we watch the ERCOT electric grid struggle or fail us over and over. Governor Abbott, his appointees at state agencies, and wealthy energy corporations will beg us to be patient and to use less AC (if we even have power), but they should be the ones feeling the heat.

Instead of telling us he's "fixing the grid" by using our tax dollars to build more fossil fuel plants that will only make our extreme weather worse and our electric bills more expensive, Abbott should be investing in modernizing our outdated grid system and in helping Texans save energy and money now.

We must make our electric grid clean, reliable, affordable, and resilient to the new normal of extreme weather fueled by climate change. High cost, high pollution power plants are not the answer.

Governor Abbott, we need a better plan for everyday Texans. Texans shouldn’t have to feel anxiety, stress, or relive the trauma of grid failure every time a storm blows in or when ERCOT asks us to conserve energy.

We deserve a reliable grid, a clean environment, and a strong economy. Gov. Abbott needs to refocus his priorities on policies that invest in a 21st century grid system, that help Texas families reduce wasted energy, and prepare us to weather the impacts of the climate crisis. Rather than using our hard-earned money to subsidize wealthy corporations to build more polluting fossil fuel power plants, our campaign seeks to:

Invest in a modern electric grid by developing regional microgrids, expanding the use of local clean energy and battery storage resources, burying power lines where it makes sense, and making high voltage transmission systems stronger.
Pay Texans the same way wealthy corporations are paid to use less electricity when energy conservation calls are made.
Increase investments in energy savings programs that lower electric bills, make homes more livable, and reduce stress on the grid.
Remove anti-renewable policies that have made it harder to develop solar energy and energy storage.

Add your name and join thousands of Texans who support a new path toward 100 percent clean, reliable, and affordable energy.

748

signatures of 0 goal

Continue

Title

First Name

Last Name

Street Address

City

State

Zip

Phone

Your Message

Subject

Prioritize Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency

Add a Personal Message

Personal messages make a big impact on decision makers. Please add a note about why this issue matters to you!

1000 characters remaining

Message

We need a better energy plan from you. Using our hard earned pay to build more fossil fuel plants will only make our extreme weather worse and our electric bills more expensive. Texans also shouldn’t have to feel anxiety, stress, or relive the trauma of grid failure every time a storm blows in or when ERCOT asks us to conserve energy. We deserve a reliable, modern grid, a clean environment, and a strong economy. Refocus your priorities on policies that make our grid more resilient to climate change, help Texas families reduce wasted energy, and prepare our communities to weather climate impacts. We call on you to lower utility bill burdens on Texas families, strengthen our electric grid, and create family-supporting clean economy jobs in our state. What will lower our utility bills is making homes and businesses more energy efficient. People-first solutions like weatherizing homes, insulating small businesses, and upgrading windows can stabilize the grid, help control the cost of electricity by reducing demand, and make it easier for Texans to stay cool or warm inside their homes, especially when the grid fails and power goes out due to extreme weather Furthermore, you see the data. You know the facts. Solar and wind energy have brought incredible benefits to our state and they deliver pollution-free energy when expected. What we have seen from you, though, is attack after attack on renewables. Texas has also become a leader on non-polluting new technologies like battery storage and is now investing in geothermal power and this investment must continue. Instead of trying to squash this beneficial sector of the Texas economy, embrace it. Support policies that help more Texans reap the benefits of clean energy. Cultivate programs that pair renewable energy with energy storage so we can tap even more clean energy potential and become the clean energy capital of the world. Specifically, we ask that you: Invest in a modern electric grid by developing regional microgrids, expanding the use of local clean energy and battery storage resources, burying power lines and making high voltage transmission systems stronger. Pay Texans the same way wealthy corporations are paid to use less electricity when energy conservation calls are made. Increase investments in energy savings programs that lower electric bills, make homes more livable, and reduce stress on the grid. Remove anti-renewable policies that have made it harder to develop solar energy and energy storage. If we claim to be a state of innovation, friendly to local businesses, and always looking for ways to reduce financial burdens on families, then investments in hardening our grid, energy efficiency, compensating families for conserving energy when called upon, renewable energy, and energy storage should be the commonsense solutions your appointees at the Public Utilities Commission and ERCOT should do immediately. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

By taking this action to protect the planet, you are affirming you want to receive regular Sierra Club communications and may vote on policy designated by the Sierra Club Board.