Austin Chapter Welcomes the New Year

On January 2, 2026 By Carolyn M. AppletonIn CCLATX, Citizens' Climate Lobby, Climate ChangeLeave a comment

On behalf of the Austin chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, welcome to 2026. To those who are already members of our chapter, thank you for being a part of our work. As you know, Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a non-profit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change.

To those who are considering joining, we are pleased to share our core values:

Focus

We are focused on solving climate change. We move Congress to pass big solutions that will ensure a healthy climate. We also work on complementary solutions that help us work together in our communities and foster a more collaborative environment in Congress.

Optimism

In the face of challenges, we choose optimism — that people are good, that democracy can work, that we can solve climate change, and that we are greater than our flaws. Optimism turns our concern about climate change into action, and it’s catching on — more and more people join us every day.

Diversity

We empower everyone in exercising their personal and political power regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, ability, or political affiliation. We continue to bring awareness of important issues to all our volunteers and foster a sense of belonging to our organization.

Relationships

We take the most generous approach to other people as possible — appreciation, gratitude, and respect. We listen, we work to find common ground, and we endeavor to understand our own biases. We are honest and firm. We know that there is a place for protest, but our approach is to build consensus, which we believe will bring enduring change. That’s why elected officials and their staff, no matter what their politics, say they are happy to see us — and mean it.

Exciting News

From the recent press release, we are pleased to share,

“After a six month interim period, Ricky Bradley has been appointed Executive Director of Citizens’ Climate Lobby and Citizens’ Climate Education. The decision was made by the CCL and CCE boards of directors in a unanimous vote during their final joint board meeting of 2025.

Bradley has been active with Citizens’ Climate for more than 13 years. Prior to his former roles as Interim Executive Director and Vice President of Field Operations, he has also served as a volunteer Group Leader and volunteer Regional Coordinator, all of which ground him in Citizens’ Climate’s grassroots model.” Read more by following this link.

Strategic Plan Released

One of the many things we like about being involved with Citizens’ Climate Lobby as one chapter of many across the United States, is how well organized the organization is. You can download the CCL Strategic Plan for 2026 below.

CCL Strategic Plan 2026 Download

Leadership of CCLATX

Stay tuned as we will announce new Austin chapter leadership soon on this website, Voices of Austin. Our thanks go to those who have already donated hundreds of hours of volunteer time over the past several years. We are truly grateful.

If you would like to assume a leadership role in the Austin chapter, please let us know by messaging Marie Miglin via our chapter page on the national Citizens’ Climate Lobby website. Yes, that means you must login to the website and if you please, kindly fill out your individual profile. Thank you! We welcome your help and involvement.

Happy New Year! We hope to see you at future monthly meetings, casual social gatherings, conferences and more in 2026.

CCL Texas Lobby Day 2025 a Success

On April 3, 2025 By Carolyn M. AppletonIn CCLATX, Citizens' Climate Lobby, Texas Lobby DayLeave a comment

First and foremost, we wish to thank those who took the time to meet with our Citizens’ Climate Lobby volunteers on April 1. We know how busy you are, and we deeply appreciate your listening to our concerns and suggestions.

Many Austin chapter members of Citizens’ Climate Lobby participated in this year’s Texas Lobby Day at the Texas State Capitol. Our volunteers were prepped in a detailed and enjoyable training session at St. David’s Episcopal in downtown Austin, with Lobby Day following on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

Training session at St. David's Episcopal Church. — *Training session at St. David’s Episcopal. Photo collage by Carolyn M. Appleton*.

Volunteers traveled from across Texas to participate. Did you know? There are more than 11,000 Citizens’ Climate Lobby advocates in the State of Texas!

The information we shared with our elected officials and their staff members on April 1 was wide ranging, but focused.

Expand Transmission: We support HB 3069 which upgrades the planning process for ERCOT’s economic evaluation of transmission projects, including evaluating the cost/benefit relationship over 10 years versus the current 3-year period.

The Texas grid isn’t keeping pace with the state’s growth. This mismatch is leading to increased energy costs, reliability issues, and potential barriers to future economic development.

CCL volunteers on the Texas Capitol Grounds. — *CCL Volunteers gathering for a group photo on the grounds of the Capitol prior to going through security and visiting with elected officials. Photo collage by Carolyn M. Appleton.*

Increase Energy Efficiency: We support SB 1915 that requires utilities to meet new annual energy savings goals and HB 3826 which would establish the Texas Energy Efficiency Council.

Energy efficiency is an important element of grid resilience because it reduces peak demand in both summer and winter; it lowers energy bills due to reduced consumption; and energy efficiency measures can relieve pressure on the grid in the short term while we’re working on expanding long-term supply. That’s important because it will be a few years before new natural gas generation is up and running.

Expand Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Deployment: Distributed Energy Resources (DER) are things like rooftop solar, and solar and batteries on homes and businesses, electric vehicles and smart thermostats. These are technologies that can be deployed quickly to increase grid capacity.

We support SB 1202, and its companion HB 2304, which would streamline approval processes for home distributed energy resources. It allows homeowners to use third parties for inspections rather than depending on city inspectors.

We also support HB 3346, which would allow small customers to receive fair compensation for excess energy that they’re able to generate and/or store in batteries and sell to the grid when supplies are tight. We had a pilot program that provided proof of concept, now it’s time to write it into law.

Last but not least, we urged those who are not already members of the nonpartisan Texas Energy and Climate Caucus to join. The world is decarbonizing to reduce climate pollution, and we need to have constructive conversations on policies that will best position Texans to participate in the huge economic opportunities of this decades-long global trend.

CCL volunteers at the office of John H. Bucy, III. — CCL volunteers are shown here in the office of John H. Bucy, III. Photo by Carolyn M. Appleton. Note to those at the State Capitol needing more technical information and advice: Rowen Kliethermes shown at right is highly trained and very knowledgeable. She would be an excellent resource onsite.

Our first attempt at taking video “shorts” is now available on YouTube @citizensclimatelobbyatx.

This “short” shows our volunteers departing St. David’s Episcopal for the State Capitol bright and early on April 1, 2025. CCL volunteers are of all ages and backgrounds! We hope you will join us.

Join Citizens’ Climate Lobby today! We would welcome your help. To join is free of charge and our Austin Chapter is housed within the national conversation platform. Follow the link to sign up and learn more!

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