It’s a Texas issue

Re: “Climate draws new line for state — Boundary shift to push hot, dry air — and its risks for severe weather — into D-FW,” April 27 news story.

In this story by Philip Jankowski, it was disheartening as a Texan to read about the devastating effects of climate change coming to a city near me.

I can’t figure out why so many Texas Republican legislators continue to deny the existence of climate change or downplay the urgent need for action. This refusal to accept scientific reality is irresponsible and dangerous.

Our state’s economy and future depend on leaders who prioritize the well-being of their constituents over political ideology or fossil fuel interests. Ignoring climate change will not make it disappear. In fact, it will only increase the needless suffering of Texas families and strain our emergency services, agricultural output and energy grid even further.

Other states are investing in renewable energy, modern infrastructure and climate resilience. Texas, with its abundant sun and wind, has the potential to lead the nation into a cleaner, safer and more prosperous future.

We deserve leaders who will listen to scientists, acknowledge reality and act boldly to protect our communities and economy. Climate change is not a partisan issue — it’s a Texas issue.

Andrea Christgau, Keller

We will pay the price

In response to this story, if anyone needs proof of the catastrophic consequences of climate change, look no further than the insurance industry.

Those in the industry are not ideologues engaging in political fantasy and obfuscation like Austin and Washington. They are experts at assessing risk based on measurable factors and making business decisions based on such. They know the reality is that climate change is driving up those risks and associated costs.

As a result, property insurance rates across Texas are skyrocketing and insurers are pulling out of some markets. My insurance alone has gone up 60% in four years and that is after raising my deductible to $15,000.

If Texas continues to sideline climate action, we will all pay the price — literally. It’s time for our leaders to stop playing politics with the planet and start addressing the very real, very costly impacts of climate change.

Daniel Burns, Spring

Keep clean energy tax credits

This was scary but very informative reading. As the story states, reducing greenhouse gas emissions will be critical to limiting the effects of climate change.

The world is decarbonizing for good reason, and we need to continue doing our part here in Texas. Investments in clean energy will reduce carbon emissions and pollution, while providing more energy, improving grid reliability and creating jobs.

The clean energy tax credits are estimated to provide $144 billion in investments and 190,000 jobs here in Texas. It is a win-win for Texas. Therefore, I am urging my senators, Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, as well as my representative, Beth Van Duyne, to keep the clean energy tax credits.

Thomas Wikman, Dallas

Commendable climate news

Re: “Coral reefs drop color as temperatures go up,” and “Climate draws new line for state,” Sunday news stories; “Rate hikes thrash Texas,” Sunday Business story; and “Batteries send spark to sector,” Monday news story.

I have to commend The Dallas Morning News for publishing the three stories that focused on the ongoing threats of climate change. The one on coral bleaching made me sad to learn that so much of the underwater environment is being hit so hard.

The story about the reduction of precipitation and increase in average temperatures, and what are the likely effects on the Texas economy, was worrisome.

Another story about the sharp increases in property insurance as climate change continues to damage homes and businesses in Texas shows how Texans are being hard hit by weather disasters.

The story in Monday’s paper about battery storage was good as well, although I did have a small quibble about the reporter not mentioning that for large on-site battery storage, the industry is moving away from lithium to more inert storage batteries.

Overall, great work in bringing this news to your readers. I hope they spent time checking out these stories because each is important to help understand where Texas is and what we may expect to happen.

John Lingenfelder, Plano

Win one for the grandkids

Re: “Sweating Out Two Energy Bills — Texas Legislature targets wind and solar power with onerous regulations,” Tuesday editorial.

We need to fix the Texas Legislature’s glaring blind spot on energy policy trade-offs.

It is generally understood that society needs energy and that it should be affordable, reliable, clean and secure. But here in Texas, our state legislators seem to have a blind spot when considering the policy trade-offs involved in the “clean” part.

Sure, wind and solar are intermittent resources, but we now have technology that very effectively and reliably integrates these zero-emission resources into the grid. And these resources are now the lowest-cost power generation resources.

So, when considering policy trade-offs between the characteristics of affordable, reliable, clean and secure, shouldn’t our elected state representatives (including mine, Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Allen, and Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney) consider and at least equally prioritize energy sources that “don’t dump for free” air pollution and accumulate heat-trapping climate pollution into the atmosphere with energy sources that do?

The way I see it, every megawatt hour of electricity produced that doesn’t dump climate pollution into the atmosphere for free is a win for my grandkids.

Richard L. Howe Jr., Plano

Why is Texas GOP doubtful?

The scientific consensus is that burning fossil fuels is warming the planet, with higher temperatures being felt across Texas.

It’s hard to understand how Texas Republicans can be so doubtful about climate change when it is costing their constituents in lives and treasure due to the severe weather exacerbated by our actions in burning fossil fuels.

Remember Hurricane Harvey in 2017 with over 100 deaths? Remember the polar vortex in 2021 with almost 250 deaths? Extreme heat and more destructive storms are hitting Texas as well as other states across the country.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that from 1980-2025 (as of April 8), there have been 190 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each to affect Texas.

It’s encouraging to hear that there is a Texas Energy and Climate Caucus, even if it tiptoes around the phrase “climate change.” And with Texas producing more wind power than any other state in the country, the caucus is well on the way to helping, even if it rejects the words.

Oil and gas are finite resources. If the Texas legislators don’t mitigate their emissions, I hope that petroleum companies will expand into renewable energy sources before their pollution and emissions leave our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with an unlivable planet.

Maggie Wineburgh-Freed, Los Angeles