A national climate plan needs a Texas component

On April 8, 2021November 6, 2025 By CCLATXIn Texas Climate PlanLeave a comment

With spring’s emergence, memories of winter’s Polar Vortex begin to recede and lose their sting. Unfortunately, we know that these weather disasters will continue to occur with increased frequency and magnitude due to climate change. Texas needs a plan to address climate change and we have one — the Texas Climate Plan.

About two years ago, I decided to use my office to examine what Texans could do to impact climate change — it turns out, we can do a whole lot. Texas is the largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the country and a major emitter of methane. Carbon dioxide and methane are the primary greenhouse gases contributing to climate change. If Texas were a country, we would rank 7th in the world for our carbon dioxide emissions. Major sources of these greenhouse gases are the vehicles we drive, and the oil and gas industry.

After examining the data, we concluded that any national plan to combat climate change must have a substantial Texas component. I collaborated with several House Democrats to develop the Texas Climate Plan as a roadmap to reduce emissions.

The plan consists of four parts, beginning with: “Texas Jobs for a Changing Economy.” The clean energy economy is here, and we have a huge opportunity to benefit from this growth sector.

Since 2017, clean energy added jobs two times faster than national employment and 60% faster than fossil fuels in Texas. Our state is already a leader in electric and hybrid vehicle manufacturing with Tesla, Peterbilt Motors Co., Navistar, Toshiba Heavy Industries, Ayro, Volcon and Hyliion all located here. Major auto companies continue to announce an end to manufacturing gas-powered cars as they transition to electric vehicles. Clean energy job growth in Texas already outpaces fossil fuels, and provides higher paying wages – about 25% more than the median wage statewide. The “future” economy is already here and ripe for prosperity.

Part two of the plan is “Preserving Texas Resources and Industry Accountability.” Texas possesses a wealth of natural resources that have served as a source of economic strength for our state, but these resources must be preserved through responsible stewardship. For example, much of the methane that comes from the oil and gas industry comes from wasteful, routine venting and flaring of natural gas. In 2018 alone, Permian Basin oil and gas producers flared off enough to meet the entire state’s residential demand. Even the UT System can minimize venting and flaring on university lands to reduce the ecological footprint of oil production on public lands and maximize profits by directing this wasted gas to the market instead.

Part three of the plan provides for “Transparency to Empower Texans.” Our staff worked countless hours to unearth the data needed to build the Texas Climate Plan. Details on Texas’ environmental status should be readily available. Texans need transparent information to effectively engage policymakers and provide public oversight.

Part four of the plan, “Resiliency in a Changing Climate,” comes full circle to address the nightmarish “Texas Power Fail” in February. This man-made catastrophe could have been averted had we prepared for the effects of climate change. An estimated 200 Texans lost their lives during the Polar Vortex and damages are estimated at $195 billion — the costliest disaster in Texas history. To save lives and livelihoods, we must prepare for and prevent future extreme climate-related disasters.

As a Texan, I am proud of our energy dominance and the prosperity it has generated for our state. At the same time, we must recognize the negative byproducts of a fossil fuel economy. Texas will continue to be a leader in energy if we take advantage of new technologies that will power our homes and our economy without devastating our environment. We must confront a warming planet so Texans can continue to thrive. Texans are innately suited for this challenge because Texans do not fear the future. We lead it.

State Representative Gina Hinojosa

Austin American-Statesman

April 8, 2021

You might enjoy a more recent article, “Texas cities move ahead on climate action, even as feds backtrack,” Environment Texas (March 2025).

Listen to the scientists when reforming the grid

On April 5, 2021February 7, 2023 By CCLATXIn ScienceLeave a comment

Re: March 31 article, “Texas House approves reforms to state power grid in aftermath of February winter storm.”

The catastrophic mismanagement of our electric grid in February was the most devastating event that I have experienced in my 45 years here. I couldn’t believe it was possible to lose electricity for 77 hours in the U.S.

As Asher Price noted, the hearings and media coverage revealed a deep information gap between utility board rooms, state grid control rooms and Texans in their darkened living rooms.

Our lawmakers have to be transparent about their plans to address the short- and long-term crises. The short term to winterize the grid with adequate funding and management of the power grid that puts Texans in the center and not the regulators in control rooms.

They must listen to the Texas climate scientists’ warning on changing climate and an urgent need to debate thoughtful policies to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Texans want leaders to transition to clean energy.

Kalpana Sutaria

Austin American-Statesman

April 5, 2021

LTE Under Consideration: Re: March 21, 2021 Article, “Electric cars could double as generators”

On March 22, 2021February 17, 2023 By CCLATXIn Electric CarLeave a comment

There was a silver lining in living for three days without power and freezing conditions inside my house. Having an electric car in the garage which provided a temporary reprieve for charging devices, temporary warmth and power outage news. Outfitting electric cars with generators would be extremely helpful.

Investments in electric cars and necessary infrastructure to make it viable is an important step in reducing emissions. But the power outage of last month demands reckoning with the facts on climate change. 2021 snowstorm happened after the hottest decade of all times since the 2011 storm. People suffered when our leaders played blame game.

Texas leadership is in denial and we should demand action. We are surrounded with things which are made using fossil fuels including electric cars. Transition away from fossil fuels would be extremely hard but not impossible. Let us take a first step and put price on carbon.

Kalpana Sutaria

Submitted to the Austin American-Statesman

March 22, 2021

LTE Under Consideration: It is Time for Carbon Pricing

On March 11, 2021February 17, 2023 By CCLATXIn Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend ActLeave a comment

Biden’s ambitious efforts have been welcomed by the climate scientists and environmentalists but criticized by the fossil fuel industry. Trends are changing. An official with the U. S. Chamber of Commerce which represents many major American corporations said it “supports a market-based approach to accelerate greenhouse gas emissions reductions across the U. S. economy.” This is a shift in policy. American Petroleum Institute is willing to review market-based carbon pricing options as reported by Wall Street Journal.

Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend act is a policy endorsed by leaders of both parties. It would create jobs, reduce emissions while helping low income households. There are other which would create job training programs, promote clean energy sources, carbon capture and energy storage technologies.

We want a thoughtful mix of policies that will reduce harmful emissions while addressing fossil fuel industry’s job losses, environmental justice and health issues to meet climate goals.

Kalpana Sutaria

Submitted to the Austin American-Statesman

March 11, 2021

LTE Under Consideration: Re: March 1 Article, “Was climate change to blame?”

On March 4, 2021February 17, 2023 By CCLATXIn Global WarmingLeave a comment

Texans just experienced devastating storms whose ripple effects are still hurting people. While the blame game is going on, we should not forget that lives were lost and life threatening hardships were felt.

We still remember the freezing weather of 2011 and power outages. Texas Legislature directed weatherization of electrical infrastructure soon after but tragically that was not done. After the warmest decade of all times, the 2021 snowstorm from the Polar regions brought below freezing weather for days knocking electricity and water infrastructures. Texans are still suffering. We had refrigerator like conditions for 77 hours in my house.

Scientists have been warning us for many years about warming temperatures, their effects on polar regions and resulting weather patterns everywhere. Our leaders and are fully aware of these facts. We need a thoughtful climate policy now and we must demand that. Business as usual is not an option.

Kalpana Sutaria

Submitted to the Austin American-Statesman

March 4, 2021

The need to employ science with urgency

On February 27, 2021February 7, 2023 By CCLATXIn Wildlife ImpactsLeave a comment

As I sat trapped in my house during an unprecedented Arctic freeze, I hoped my power wouldn’t fail.

I jumped each time an ice-laden branch from my heritage oaks fell onto my roof or in my eerily frozen yard. I worried about my wife driving home from her commute on slick roads in an ice storm. I watched as my resident wild birds– with no choice but to endure during this extreme cold–clustered around my feeders, dependent upon my refilling them.

And I wondered whether a nationally renewed validation of science can help facilitate an understanding how arctic warming actually sends polar weather to Texas, with potentially devastating effects. We will certainly need to employ science with a COVID-level sense of urgency if we are going to make even the slightest headway in coping with the truly existential climate crisis we are still facing.

Martin Byhower

Austin American-Statesman

February 27, 2021

LTE Under Consideration: Carbon neutral not same as net neutral emissions

On February 23, 2021February 17, 2023 By CCLATXIn Oil and Gas IndustryLeave a comment

Re: “Carbon neutral not the same as net neutral emissions,” Statesman, 13 Feb 2021. As the byline of the author, Scott Tinker, doesn’t say, he is the director of UT’s Bureau of Economic Geology. What would you guess “economic geology” means in the state of Texas?

It is of course undeniable that, as Prof. Tinker says, “The reality we face is that humans impact the earth.” When he lists the impacts of various energy sources, however, he glosses over the huge differences in their impacts’ severity. As he doesn’t say, fossil fuels are the dirtiest and most dangerous, while nuclear and modern renewable energy sources are vastly safer and cleaner.

If the costs of burning fossil fuels were accurately reflected in their prices, by imposing a tax on their carbon content, then nuclear and modern renewable energy sources would be not only vastly safer and cleaner, but also cheaper.

Hamilton Richards

Submitted to the Austin American-Statesman

February 23, 2021

Dishonest arguments overflow in op-ed

On February 18, 2021February 7, 2023 By CCLATXIn Climate Change, Wildlife ImpactsLeave a comment

Re: Feb. 13 commentary, “Carbon neutral not net neutral.”

This op-ed was full of intellectually dishonest arguments – too many to address here. It transparently implies non-fossil energy alternatives will have net negative environmental impact (more than fossil fuels?) and “the left” are the people supporting them.

The author asks, “Should carbon neutral be the singular measure of planetary health?” No, and I’ve never heard anyone in the environmental protection community make such a ridiculous claim. There is no “singular” measure of planetary health other than this: Are we improving the long-term health of this planet and all the living creatures upon it?

The answer is a “singular” response: No, we are not. Let’s try another path.

Mark Warren

Austin American-Statesman

February 18, 2021

LTE Under Consideration: H.C.R. No. 22

On February 13, 2021February 17, 2023 By CCLATXIn CCLATX, Citizens' Climate Lobby, Climate Change, HCR 22, Texas Environmental and Economic Stewardship Resolution, Texas LegislatureLeave a comment

The 87th Legislature of the State of Texas has a great opportunity to sponsor the proposed H.C.R. No. 22 – the Texas Environmental and Economic Stewardship Resolution. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while diversifying the economy supported by technological innovation and bipartisan collaboration.

It is not unknown to the Legislature that climate is changing and is having adverse impacts on the health and wellbeing of Texans. But we can’t rely on oil and gas as energy sources alone especially when it is contributing negatively to the health of Texans. Texas leads the nation in wind energy but we need more zero emissions sources like solar, geothermal, and nuclear.

The State of Texas has innovators, scientists, engineers and environmentalists who can provide expertise on energy sources and its impact on the changing climate. Texas House has already formed a Caucus on Climate and Environment and the Energy Industry, a perfect place to start thoughtful discussions on energy sources and transition opportunities to the 21st century low-carbon economy. The Legislature has a choice to grab this opportunity for the people they serve.

Richard “Larry” Howe

February 13, 2021

Texas Fights an Energy Battle That’s Already Lost

On February 7, 2021February 7, 2023 By CCLATXIn Clean Energy, State of TexasLeave a comment

Re: Jan. 29 article, “Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas is prepared to sue Biden administration over environmental regulations.”

On Jan. 28, the LBJ Future Forum hosted a panel of respected speakers on “Austin’s Energy Innovation Future.” The message: Texas will thrive with clean energy companies and new industries that are already here and growing. Market signals from Washington and from corporate headquarters everywhere are reassuring investors that clean energy and emissions-reducing technologies are good bets.

That same day Gov. Abbott announced Texas will sue the Biden administration to protect oil and gas every chance it gets. Such pledges to protect fossil fuels send confusing signals about the welcome that clean technology companies will get in Texas.

Corporate decision makers know the future is away from fossil fuels. So instead of continuing to fight a battle that’s already lost, wouldn’t Texans be better served by a state government that is building a glide path for oil workers to a clean energy future?

Cynthia Lesky

Austin American-Statesman

February 7, 2021