Category: Clean Energy

Texas Legislature

Why Congress Can’t Pull the Plug on Texas’ Clean Energy Progress

On By Carolyn M. AppletonIn Clean Energy, Congress, House of Representatives, Tax CreditsLeave a comment

On May 22, the House of Representatives voted to pass a budget bill that drastically cuts America’s clean energy tax credits. I’m disappointed to see that the House advanced this legislation.

Make no mistake: These cuts will hurt Texas if they go on to become law. Experts are already warning that these changes would raise energy costs for American households, increase pollution, and threaten growing economic investments we’ve seen in Texas. The House passage of this bill just put these investments at risk.

These federal tax credits—designed to boost clean energy manufacturing in the U.S. – have been working, just as decades of tax-related supports have helped oil and gas. Since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in 2022, Texas has benefited from nearly $8 billion invested in 29 projects leading to over 10,000 new jobs from clean energy projects. Besides our strengths in oil and gas production, Texas can continue to be the leader among states in clean energy deployments. But by some estimates killing these tax credits will jeopardize as many as 122,000 jobs and up to $130 billion in private investments in Texas.

The need for power – and clean power in particular – is almost infinite in the face of future demand from high-consumption applications like datacenters and water purification. Why not continue to unleash our state’s huge potential for sun, wind, and geothermal?

The tax credits were passed by Democrats, so they have been an easy target for Republican attacks. But nationwide the legislation has overwhelmingly benefited Republican-held districts – 78% of the funding has gone to rural and suburban areas held by the GOP. That includes Texas, where manufacturers like Samsung C&T Renewables, General Electric and many, many smaller companies announced major investments thanks to these tax credits.

But that success story could unravel quickly. The legislation is now in the Senate’s hands, and the House passage has set them on a path toward drastic cuts.

If the cuts become law, energy prices will rise. Rolling back these tax credits means Texas ratepayers will face higher electricity prices in coming years.

By contrast, if Congress protects clean energy tax credits, it would boost Texas’ economy over the next decade, helping meet the challenges of a growing population and growing high-energy demand industries. Clean energy projects can even help stabilize our water supply in the Permian basin where oil and gas production requires huge amounts of water that can be reused if enough energy is applied to clean it up.

Encouragingly, some Republican members of Congress are vocalizing their support for the clean energy tax credits. Four Republican Senators sent a letter to leadership last month saying that repeal would “lead to significant disruptions for the American people and weaken our position as a global energy leader.”

The numbers are clear: clean energy tax credits are working for Texas. Undoing clean energy tax credits now – as the House just voted to do – would be reckless and harmful. I urge Senators Cornyn and Cruz to work with their colleagues in the Senate to protect these tax credits.

Cynthia Lesky, Group Development and Organization for Citizens’ Climate Lobby Austin, Texas

Letter submitted to the Austin American-Statesman

May 25, 2025

From the Citizens’ Climate Lobby secure conversation platform, Austin Chapter:

“I’ve been a member of CCL since the fall of 2017. I joined shortly after moving to Austin from Highland Park, IL. For the last 30 years I’ve devoted most of my energies to my family and to a small business I built serving the needs of corporate information centers (I’m a librarian by training.) When I finally had the time to give back a little bit, I went searching for ways to get involved in climate change activism and also to meet people in my new community.

The laser focus on carbon pricing and the genuinely big-hearted, bipartisan, respectful culture of CCL were the big draws for me. I’ve been growing steadily more active as I find my strengths intersect with the various needs of the organization and of the cause. My involvement with Citizens’ Climate Lobby has been an affirming, learning experience for me, a source of new friends, and an avenue for personal growth.“

Clean Energy

Support Bills that Boost Clean Energy and Texans’ Health

On By Kalpana SutariaIn CCLATX, Clean Energy, Texas LegislatureLeave a comment

Generation of clean energy is a no-brainer for anyone who is worried about the warming world, extended summer seasons, rising electric bills for cooling and harmful pollution from burning fossil fuels. It allows many countries to reach clean energy goals, including the United Kingdom, which recently announced a policy for all new homes to be fitted with solar panels.

About 2.3 million Texans live within half a mile of active oil and gas operations and are directly affected by the toxic emissions, which can bring a higher risk of cancer, respiratory diseases and other health problems.

We urge lawmakers to approve bills this session to strengthen grid reliability and energy efficiency; improve solar panel review and installation; and expand energy resources and local energy independence. Those bills include House Bill 3069, SB 1915, HB 4374, HB 3826, SB 1202/HB 2304 and HB 3346.

Kalpana Sutaria, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Austin Chapter and

Project Manager, Public Works, City of Austin

Published on May 11, 2025

Austin American-Statesman

Clean energy

Keep Texas a Leader in Clean Energy Investments

On By Kalpana SutariaIn CCLATX, Clean Energy, State of Texas1 Comment

In response to the August 18 op-ed, “By embracing free-market policies, Texas can be the leader in energy.”

Texas is already a leader in oil, gas and renewable energy production. It is the biggest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Increased methane emissions from new natural gas power plants without adhering environmental measures will impact health and productivity of Texas workers.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides investment incentives which would spur clean energy growth and reduce polluting emissions. According to E2, 334 major clean energy and clean vehicle projects were announced in the first two years of the IRA with $126 billion in investments and 109,000 jobs. Red states and GOP congressional districts are benefitting the most and Texas is one of top five states. The IRA also has incentives for agriculture, carbon dioxide removal and new technologies.

We want Texas to remain a leader in clean energy investments which are environmentally responsible to support growth, reduce polluting emissions and improve quality of life.

Kalpana Sutaria, Project Manager, City of Austin and Member, Austin Metro Chapter, Citizens’ Climate Lobby

Published by the Austin American-Statesman 

August 25, 2024

Permitting Reform

Action Item: Ask Congress to Enact Further Permitting Reform

On By CCLATXIn Clean Energy, Inflation Reduction Act, Permitting ReformLeave a comment

The summer 2024 Citizens’ Climate Lobby conference in Washington, D.C. was a great success. As part of that event, 442 information-packed meetings were held with elected officials.

Following up on those meetings, we need your help. Follow the link to email your elected officials to urge them boost transmission projects, improve early community involvement, and to speed up the pace with which the U.S. builds and deploys new clean energy projects.

This is a simple task but exceedingly important. For without permitting reform, roughly half of the potential carbon pollution reductions from the Inflation Reduction Act will be lost.

Just like you need a building permit to expand your home, big energy projects must get written approval from local, state, and/or federal authorities to start construction. There are three key parts to successful energy permitting reform:

Siting/building clean energy projects

    Right now, it takes an average of 4.5 years for federal agencies just to complete environmental impact statements for major energy projects. These are important assessments, but we need them to move faster and speed up the pace with which we build new clean energy projects. Congress took the first steps to address this in the June 2023 debt ceiling bill.

    Transmitting that clean energy across the country

      Thanks to tax credits passed in the Inflation Reduction Act, development of new solar and wind energy projects will grow exponentially. But building them is only part of the challenge – they also need to be connected to the grid to move power to the houses and businesses that need them. Ultimately, we need to triple our current capacity to transmit clean electricity by 2050.

      Involving local communities

        Better permitting allows local communities to give their input on energy projects early in the process and choose good projects over bad ones. Good projects should be approved faster, harmful projects should be rejected faster, and all new projects should safeguard the lives and health of people living nearby.

        Thank you for taking the time to email your elected representatives!

        Conservative case for clean energy

        The Conservative Case for Clean Energy and Climate Security Action

        On By CCLATXIn Clean Energy, Faith and ClimateLeave a comment

        Despite partisan politics, there’s a strong synergy between conservation efforts, carbon emissions reduction, and conservative principles. I am an advocate of traditional conservative policies – from balanced budgets and eliminating deficits in government, to personal responsibility and social policies which value life though clean air, water and energy. I have supported conservative candidates throughout my life beginning with serving as part of Governor Bill Clements’ election campaign staff.

        Additionally, as a native Texan and ministry leader for 18 years, my love for this state and my faith drive me to leave the world in better condition than I found it—as I believe is the case for millions of Texans. We must continue to reduce greenhouse gases and promote technology that aids this mission to protect the natural, God-given beauty of our state and nation. To do that, we need smart, practical and bipartisan climate solutions from Washington to Texas.

        Texas has always been a leader when it comes to developing the energy resources with which we have been blessed, which has increasingly—and rightfully— included renewables like wind and solar power. As America’s power grid faces rising demand, it is imperative that our congressional delegation, including Senator John Cornyn, find bipartisan solutions that support clean energy as part of an all-the-above energy strategy that will address conservation and emissions reduction efforts for a more sustainable future while making America more energy independent.

        While climate change is a complex issue, understanding it comes down to the basic principle that greenhouse gas emissions released by human activity are the primary cause of global warming that’s leading to climate change. The data supporting this is decidedly not partisan—over two-thirds of Republicans agree—and has been on scientists’ radar for many years. It is time for us to apply 21st century-solutions to this growing problem that threatens communities across Texas and the country.

        Conservative and religious figures from Billy Graham to President Ronald Reagan have a long history of supporting conservation and environmental protection efforts. Rev. Graham called for us to be the “trustees of God’s creation” and said, “we aren’t to abuse it or neglect it”. Whether the impetus lies in acting as good stewards of God’s creation or protecting our natural resources from the ravages of pollution, as President Reagan spoke of, conservatives have been active on these issues for generations—and we must continue to lead the way in advancing policies that address carbon emissions and clean energy in a way that protects our people, our land, and our economy.

        Lawmakers from Austin to Washington, D.C., must work together to advance pragmatic, bipartisan, fiscally sound solutions to the climate and energy challenges we face. Doing so will not only help us continue to protect and preserve our environment for generations, but will also help attract new businesses and industries to the state, which in turn will help create new jobs for hardworking Texans and strengthen local economies.

        Investing in renewable energy, as well as new, emerging carbon-capture technologies, can help us support the growing need for energy in a way that benefits Texas communities. As it is, millions of Texans are already paying a hefty price for the lack of energy security, both through their wallets and with their health. We pay more for air conditioning due to our rising temperatures, we are experiencing more frequent extreme weather events that prevent families from keeping the lights on, and we are spending more due to congestion from outdated transmission lines.

        Without a doubt, energy security and the need for more clean energy is now more important than ever. We need lawmakers to continue supporting and advancing bipartisan solutions that help reduce emissions and increase our clean energy capabilities, while protecting our environment, creating jobs and powering a stronger, more sustainable economy.

        Larry Linenschmidt

        Larry is a native Texan, activist, and ministry leader

        Published by the Austin American-Statesman

        June 9, 2024

        LTE Under Consideration: The Year 2022 and Climate

        On By CCLATXIn Clean EnergyLeave a comment

        The year 2022 was a remarkable year for the climate.

        • The U.S. emissions went up by 1.3%
        • It was the 6th warmest year according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It should have been cooler being a Le Nina year.
        • According to Dr. Hansen, 2022 was 0.04 degree Celsius warmer than 2021 likely because more energy is coming in than going out.
        • The 10-warmest years on record have occurred since year 2010.
        • The US had 18 one billion plus dollar climate disasters.

        We had news to celebrate 2022. Inflation Reduction Act was the largest ever climate bill that was passed by the U.S. Congress. Volunteers of Citizens Climate Lobby have work to do by reaching out to the state and city governments and ensure that allocated federal dollars are invested in clean energy sources to bring the emissions down.

        This will improve our health and quality of life.

        Kalpana Sutaria

        Project Manager, City of Austin and Member, Citizens Climate Lobby Austin Chapter

        Submitted to the San Antonio Express News

        January 2023

        A milestone on the road to replace all U.S. fossil fuel power generation

        On By CCLATXIn CCLATX, Clean EnergyLeave a comment

        Re: May 3 article, “Texas renewables generate record power in early 2022.”

        Renewables generated more power so far this year in Texas than gas-powered turbines, or any other power source? What excellent news! It comes along about the same time it was reported that on May 4 for a short duration starting at 2:50 p.m., 99.87% of California’s entire power load was provided by renewables. 

        We still have a very long journey to replacing all U.S. fossil fuel power generation with renewables, but we have certainly put to rest the notion that we can’t achieve this goal quickly, which is essential if we are to halt earth’s warming. Just imagine what we can achieve once we actually make an effort – like, for example, by instituting a carbon fee and dividend policy. Carbon fee and dividend not only will accelerate the conversion to renewables, but will result in a net return of money to a significant majority of U.S. households.  

        Mark Warren, Austin

        Austin American-Statesman

        May 14, 2022

        More fossil fuel plants will lead to more climate-related disasters

        On By CCLATXIn Clean EnergyLeave a comment

        Re: July 7 article, “Abbott orders utility commission to shore up Texas power grid, targets renewable energy.”

        Current headlines are full of reports of climate-related disasters — fires in California, 120-plus degree heat in Canada, and on and on.

        Yet, Gov. Abbott calls for more natural gas and coal power plants, which will only make climate problems worse.

        Past Republican governors, Bush and Perry, led the way for Texas’ becoming a leader in wind energy.

        Clean energy is not just a Democratic thing. It’s a human thing.

        Philip Russell

        Austin American-Statesman

        July 9, 2021

        Texas Fights an Energy Battle That’s Already Lost

        On 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