(New York, NY, Friday, February 19, 2021) – Energy experts are working to counter disinformation from Texas political figures and fossil fuel interests about the causes of the recent energy problems in Texas. The facts show that most power outages were the result of coal and natural gas failures and an energy grid inadequately prepared for the kind of extreme weather we are seeing more frequently because of climate change.  Windmills have been delivering low cost, reliable energy in extreme cold environments, like Alaska and Antarctica, for decades.

Colin Leyden, director, regulatory & legislative affairs, discusses the facts surrounding the Texas power outages:

SOUNDBITE #1:

IT’S A PERILOUS SITUATION FOR THOSE STILL WITHOUT POWER IN BELOW-FREEZING TEMPERATURES WHO ARE NOW FACING WATER SHORTAGES. AND HELPING THEM HAS TO BE OUR FIRST PRIORITY. THE PROBLEMS HAPPENING HERE IN TEXAS ARE A LOT DIFFERENT FROM WHAT FOSSIL FUELS LOBBYISTS AND THEIR ALLIES WOULD LIKE YOU TO BELIEVE. WE ALSO KNOW THAT COAL AND NATURAL GAS FAILURES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MOST OF THE PROBLEM. THIRTY-PERCENT OF NATURAL GAS AND COAL PLANTS WENT DOWN DUE TO THE WEATHER.

SOUNDBITE #2:

WIND AND RENEWABLE ENERGY WORK GREAT IN ALASKA, ANTARCTICA, AND PLENTY OF COLD PLACES. THAT’S DEFINITELY NOT THE PROBLEM HERE. BIG PICTURE – WIND AND SOLAR ARE NOW THE CHEAPEST SOURCES OF ELECTRICITY IN TEXAS AND MANY PLACES. THAT MEANS MORE JOBS AND CHEAPER POWER FOR STATES.

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