Tag: electric grid

LTE Under Consideration: We need resilient infrastructure and global climate plan now

On By CCLATXIn Texas LegislatureLeave a comment

Re: November 10, Op-Ed “We need resilient infrastructure and global climate plan now”

Thanks to representative Zwiener for co-founding the Texas House Caucus on Climate, Environment and Energy Industry and getting 30 members to join. We need such lawmakers to honestly look at the facts on climate change crisis and take action for health and well- being of their constituents.

The response of the Texas Legislature to the problems of the electric grid during and after the winter storm Uri, has been nothing but disheartening.  Loss of 210 lives, $80 billion plus dollars in damages and unbelievable suffering of Texans was not enough for the Legislature to take strong action. The state climatologist John Neilsen-Gammon has reported that Texas is vulnerable to a wide range of natural hazards, most of which are weather and climate events.

Yes, we need resilient infrastructure, that will figure climate change as part of planning, and that will reduce harmful emissions by transitioning to cleaner sources of energy.

Kalpana Sutaria

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

Submitted to the Austin American-Statesman

May 2023

We need more Texas lawmakers to confront the reality of climate change

On By CCLATXIn Texas House CaucusLeave a comment

Re: Nov. 10 commentary, “We need resilient infrastructure and global climate plan now.”

Thanks to Rep. Zwiener for co-founding the Texas House Caucus on Climate, Environment and the Energy Industry and getting 30 members to join. We need such lawmakers to honestly look at the facts on climate change crisis and take action for health and well-being of their constituents.

The response of the Texas Legislature to the problems of the electric grid during and after the February winter storm has been nothing but disheartening. The loss of at least 210 lives and $80 billion in damages, and unbelievable suffering of Texans was not enough for the legislature to take strong action. The state climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon has reported that Texas is vulnerable to a wide range of natural hazards, most of which are weather and climate events.

Yes, we need resilient infrastructure that will figure climate change as part of planning and that will reduce harmful emissions by transitioning to cleaner sources of energy.

Kalpana Sutaria

Austin American-Statesman

November 16, 2021

Listen to the scientists when reforming the grid

On 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