Why HB 17 makes Texas less secure from blackouts
HB 17 will "make the state less secure from future blackouts...It has nothing to do with electric reliability and everything to do with a monopoly utility attempting to gain more state mandated profits." The bill is also bad for public health and the environment.
Join us for a webinar on Tuesday at 3 PM to examine HB 17, which will be heard in the House State Affairs committee on Thursday. The bill preempts cities from banning gas-hookups in new buildings or even encouraging electrification.
As I wrote in the Dallas Morning News, HB 17 will “make the state less secure from future blackouts…It has nothing to do with electric reliability and everything to do with a monopoly utility attempting to gain more state mandated profits.” The bill is also bad for public health and the environment.
Our webinar will examine gas’ role in the blackouts, how electrification of buildings improves reliability and saves consumers money, and how the language of HB 17 is an overreach that would prevent cities from even educating the public about alternatives to gas. I’ll be joined by:
Amar Shah, Manager, Carbon-Free Buildings, RMI
Adrian Shelley, Texas Director, Public Citizen
Caroline Spears, Executive Director, Climate Cabinet
RSVP here and we’ll send you the Zoom login information soon.
Authors
Luke Metzger
Executive Director, Environment Texas
As the executive director of Environment Texas, Luke is a leading voice in the state for clean air and water, parks and wildlife, and a livable climate. Luke recently led the successful campaign to get the Texas Legislature and voters to invest $1 billion to buy land for new state parks. He also helped win permanent protection for the Christmas Mountains of Big Bend; helped compel Exxon, Shell and Chevron Phillips to cut air pollution at four Texas refineries and chemical plants; and got the Austin and Houston school districts to install filters on water fountains to protect children from lead in drinking water. The San Antonio Current has called Luke "long one of the most energetic and dedicated defenders of environmental issues in the state." He has been named one of the "Top Lobbyists for Causes" by Capitol Inside, received the President's Award from the Texas Recreation and Parks Society for his work to protect Texas parks. He is a board member of the Clean Air Force of Central Texas and an advisory board member of the Texas Tech University Masters of Public Administration program. Luke, his wife, son and daughters are working to visit every state park in Texas.
