President Biden – Voices of Austin @CCLATX

Re: Feb. 12 letter to the editor, “Liberals’ goal of implementing deal would drive up energy costs.”

Wayne Christian, the chair of the Railroad Commission, promises “access to cheap and reliable energy.” Unfortunately, “cheap” has turned out to be quite expensive.

Examples of what “cheap” has brought us include the 2011 Bastrop fire, Hurricane Harvey in Houston and the February 2021 winter storm. If we don’t change course, “cheap” will continue to get more expensive.

To avoid this escalation of costs, we need to reduce our consumption of fossil fuels, that simple. That’s what Biden’s Green New Deal is about.

Philip Russell

Austin American-Statesman

February 15, 2022

Biden’s ambitious efforts have been welcomed by the climate scientists and environmentalists but criticized by the fossil fuel industry. Trends are changing. An official with the U. S. Chamber of Commerce which represents many major American corporations said it “supports a market-based approach to accelerate greenhouse gas emissions reductions across the U. S. economy.” This is a shift in policy. American Petroleum Institute is willing to review market-based carbon pricing options as reported by Wall Street Journal.

Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend act is a policy endorsed by leaders of both parties. It would create jobs, reduce emissions while helping low income households. There are other which would create job training programs, promote clean energy sources, carbon capture and energy storage technologies.

We want a thoughtful mix of policies that will reduce harmful emissions while addressing fossil fuel industry’s job losses, environmental justice and health issues to meet climate goals.

Kalpana Sutaria

Submitted to the Austin American-Statesman

March 11, 2021