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President Biden’s Major Disaster Declaration Unlocks Support for Texas

Photo: Montinique Monroe / Getty

WASHINGTON DC, Monday, February 22, 2021 ~ Following a southern winter storm that led to over 70 deaths, President Biden declared the situation in Texas a major disaster, bringing federal funding to 77 counties.  Texas Governor Greg Abbot however, said it was only a \”partial\” solution, and requested all 254 counties receive aid.

I thank President Biden for his assistance as we respond to impacts of winter weather across our state,” Governor Abbott said in a statement.  “While this partial approval is an important first step, Texas will continue to work with our federal partners to ensure all eligible Texans have access to the relief they need.” 

\”The infrastructure failures in Texas are quite literally what happens when you *don’t* pursue a Green New Deal,\” Ocasio-Cortez said in a tweet, in reference to her plan to eliminate all fossil-fuels and replace conventional power with wind and solar.

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), who headed to the Lone Star State to help with disaster relief efforts, blamed the Republican-majority Texas government for the statewide blackouts.

\”The infrastructure failures in Texas are quite literally what happens when you *don’t* pursue a Green New Deal,\” Ocasio-Cortez said in a tweet, in reference to her plan to eliminate all fossil-fuels and replace conventional power with wind and solar.

PODCASTS:


February 22, 2021 ~ Director of Environmental Policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy Jason Hayes talks with Frank about why the energy situation in Texas should be a warning for the rest of the country.


February 22, 2021 ~ WBAP Reporter Clayton Neville talks to Paul W. live from Texas, saying while the state is thawing out, many residents are still dealing with big problems.


February 22, 2021 ~ Ford Motor Company Chief Communications Officer Mark Truby talks to Paul W. about how the built-in generator in the new Ford F-150 is helping many struggling Texans.

Texas has been increasing its reliance on wind power over the past decade.  However, the Texas Public Policy Foundation reported \”As temperatures dropped further Sunday night and electricity demand started rising, wind generation also began to drop, eventually bottoming out at 2% of installed capacity.\”  Turbines in Texas are not equipped with cold weather packages as they are in the north, leading turbine components to freeze and power generation to cease in extreme temperatures.  

According to White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, President Biden could be in Texas to show support \”as soon as this week.\”  \”But he’s also very mindful of the fact that it’s not a light footprint for a president to travel to a disaster area.  He does not want to take away resources or attention,\” said Psaki.

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