Grid – Voices of Austin @CCLATX

Re: March 21 article, “War fallout puts focus on renewable energy”

As this article highlights, rich and poor countries are suffering from the consequences of the horrific Iran war due to shortages of energy sources and food supply, jump in prices of daily needs and resulting panic.

Clean energy reduces dependence on polluting fossil fuels, improving people’s health. That is why most Americans want to transition to clean power.

Despite roadblocks by President Donald Trump, Texas’ grid is strong due to renewables. On March 21 at 5:15 p.m., 65% of energy came from solar and wind. Demand was two-thirds of the supply.

China has shown remarkable improvements in its economy by enormous investments in renewable energy while making it more resilient. Poor countries are attempting to upscale renewables, but for faster transition, global focus on clean energy investment is critical.

Instead of starting a war causing destruction, loss of lives and chaos, why not embrace clean energy sources for the well-being of people everywhere?

Kalpana Sutaria is an architect, author and environmental advocate dedicated to tackling global warming challenges. Kalpana is a longtime member of the Austin Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby. This letter to the editor was published by the Austin American-Statesman on March 27, 2026.

We in Central Texas got another gut punch from wintry weather. Although the grid provided enough gas and electricity, many of us jacked up our bills. Some have trouble paying those bills. There is a simple, cost-effective way to lower bills and to make the grid more resilient: make buildings more energy efficient such as with more insulation.

Better insulation helps the most when the weather is hottest or coldest. During those extreme periods, electricity demand is highest. Increasing insulation will lower demand for energy. That will save people money. It also means in a really extreme even, less energy will be needed. Also, strong insulation will keep people warmer during extreme winter storm and cooler during a summer heat wave. A colleague’s well-insulated home only dropped 10 degrees during winter storm Uri while in my house, it dropped 30 degrees.

Texas isn’t ready for another Uri. We haven’t fully winterized the grid. We need to fix the grid, and we can by insulating our homes better, taking advantage of tax credits and rebates, and urging the Texas legislature to pass several of the bills already introduced to improve energy efficiency all over the state. For our good.

Bob Hendricks

Member, Citizens’ Climate Lobby Austin Chapter

Submitted to the Waco Tribune-Herald

February 2023