The year 2023 was the hottest year since 1850 exceeding the previous record set by 2016 per the Berkley Earth. Austinites experienced the record-breaking temperatures last summer with meteorologists raising alarms for outdoor workers. The state climatologist Dr. John Neilson-Gammon has assessment report of extreme weather in Texas as it continues to worsen.
The State of Texas is a leader in oil and gas production, and it leads the nation in wind power generation, and it is almost at the top in generation of solar power. It is also the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in our nation. Without Texas, our nation cannot decarbonize itself. If Texas were a country, it would be the eighth largest economy and the eighth largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions in the world. Texas’ actions to curb emissions would hugely improve the environment.
With these facts, the Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s (CCL) leadership approached the Texas State Legislature in its 2023 session. Legislative sessions are held once every two years for 140 days. It is difficult for constituents to bring up issues to state lawmakers, when work of all committees and two state houses must be sorted through the number of bills filed, in a very short time. Important issues remain unaddressed.
Policy decisions made by Texas Legislature affect the energy industry as well as Texans. How we generate and transport energy has a profound impact on our environment. The major ask of 10,000 volunteers of CCL was to improve the electric grid that transmits electricity from power plants to consumers. The problem was that transmission lines were not adequate to transmit all renewable energy that was generated, creating a backlog. CCL volunteers held 66 meetings with the state representatives of both parties. A year later, the backlog still exists, and transmission lines are not fully fixed. Generated energy’s backlog, and transmission bottlenecks such as these cost Texans over $5 billion in 2022 and 2023. Consumers, the State, and the environment – all of them will benefit if lawmakers enact the right policies.
Methane leaks from oil and gas production in Texas hugely affect the environment because methane is a potent greenhouse gas that is 80 times more warming than carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). It stays in the air for decades rather than for centuries like CO2 does. Methane leaks and gas flaring are known to the authorities and oil and gas producers. Texas regulators have not enforced them fully. The new climate regulation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will require the oil and gas operators to reduce methane leaks. Per EPA, these rules can prevent equivalent of 1.5 billion tons of CO2 being emitted between 2024 and 2038, almost equal to emissions by all power plants in the country in 2021. Fixing methane leaks helps the operators too, but still Texas has challenged the rules.
CCL supports climate solutions that grow economic opportunities, that are market based, cost effective, efficient and are implemented in a socially equitable manner. The climate crisis has highlighted the already existing inequities. It is worse for those who have fewer resources to live through any type of climate disasters – like flooding, drought, wildfires, sea level rise, extreme heat or cold – causing physical and psychological stress on people.
We must not forget that global warming continues to accelerate. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is delivering positive outcomes to combat the climate crisis. The State of Texas can take advantage of many available opportunities for emissions reductions in the IRA helping Texans. It has tax benefits for removal of accumulated carbon in the atmosphere for businesses.
On this Earth Day, we want lawmakers to implement all policies to lower emissions and improve health and well-being of Texans.
Kalpana Sutaria
Project Manager, City of Austin and Member, Austin Metro Chapter, Citizens’ Climate Lobby
Submitted to the Austin American-Statesman
April 2024
Notes
- Rohde, Robert (2024), Global Temperature Report for 2023.
- Texas Economic Development Corporation, “Texas Economic Strength.”
- Environment Texas, “The Top Ten Biggest Global Warming Polluters in Texas.”
- Grid Monitor, The Texas grid did its job during the freeze, but the job’s not done.
- IEA, Methane and Climate Change.
- Federal Register, EPA Methane regulations issued on March 8, 2024.
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