Texas

This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls - including new polling on recent hurricanes and the government’s disaster response, new polling on renewable energy and grid expansion, and new state polls about energy issues in Pennsylvania, California, and Texas.

Voters in California and Texas both overwhelmingly agree that their states should be doing more to encourage solar power; voters see clear benefits of solar power for grid reliability, the economy, and costs. In California: Solar power – 85% agree that their utility should be using more; Wind power – 78%; Offshore wind power – 72%; Natural gas power – 57%; Nuclear power – 52%. In Texas: Solar power – 73% agree that their utility should be using more; Wind power – 69%; Natural gas power – 67%; Nuclear power – 50%; Coal power – 40%. Accordingly, large majorities in both California (85%) and Texas (71%) agree that their state’s policymakers should be doing more to encourage the use of solar power. In both states, there is a potent argument that solar can help to make an outdated electric grid more resilient and reliable.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) can positively impact Houston. This resource is a collection of pro-IRA messaging videos (on Instagram and TikTok). Titles include: “The Future of Houston and the IRA,” “The IRA Helps Safeguard Our Communities,” “IRA Funding Impacts Your Local Community,” and more. These videos explore: a possibility of a cleaner, greener Houston; a useful tool towards making Houston a leader in the effort towards a sustainable future; and alternative clean energy projects like solar panels, wind farms and technology hubs supporting marginalized communities in Houston.