Texas Catholic Bishops: 'Electrical Grid Failure in Texas Was No Accident'
[Excerpt below]
While we desperately need immediate relief, we must also seek long-term systemic change.
As faith leaders, we have a responsibility to cry out for the vulnerable and seek the common good, and this means the reform of a utility system that has served as a means for profit, putting profit before people.
Last week, The Network of Texas Industrial Areas Foundation Organizations with interfaith leaders from across the state held a press conference, urging the governor and legislature to take responsibility and put people before profits. It is time to direct recovery resources and restructure utility oversight to protect all, especially the poorer residents already on the edge because of the pandemic.
Bishops in Texas: Electrical Grid Failure was Preventable. Without Accountability, It Will Happen Again, America Magazine [pdf]
'They Were Not Prepared': After Winter Crisis, Texas Will Have to Confront its Energy, Politics and Culture, Dallas Morning News [pdf]
Central Texas Interfaith & Texas IAF Declare State Power Failure an 'Act of Sheer Negligence' and Demand Accountability from Elected Officials
While state officials announced later in the day that power had stabilized and forced shutoffs were no longer needed, more than 300,000 households remained without power....Texas was especially hard hit because most of its power grid is isolated from the interconnected networks serving the eastern and western parts of the U.S. That made it difficult to import energy from other states when frozen pipes shut down generating station.
The failure of Texas' electric grid led faith leaders across the state on Thursday to call out Gov. Greg Abbott for a lack of leadership and preparation. They urged him to request assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Administration and dip into the state's $10 billion "rainy-day" fund to help Texans cover expensive home repairs and energy bills.
They also called on state leaders to act on a 2012 plan to modernize and weatherize the electric grid....
"We are calling for Gov. Abbott to first take responsibility for this gross negligence and stop finger-pointing. This is a gross act of negligence that has caused harm to the whole state of Texas, and it's time to put people over profits," the Rev. John Ogletree of the First Metropolitan Church of Houston said at a virtual press conference Thursday. The event was organized by the Network of Texas IAF Organizations, a nonpartisan coalition of 10 mostly faith-based organizations statewide that represents more than 1 million people....
"The storm may have been an act of nature, but the devastation of the electrical grid shutdown is an act of sheer negligence," Auxiliary Bishop Greg Kelly of the Dallas Diocese added in a statement.
Kelly and other faith leaders who spoke during the press conference and with EarthBeat described the struggles facing their state's people because of the freeze: Temperatures in homes hovering at 30 degrees. Elderly people unable to use dialysis machines. A 76-year-old woman sleeping in her car for warmth. Churches that would typically offer shelter could not because they too lacked power and water...
Texas Faith Leaders Call Out 'Sheer Negligence' Behind Power Outages, National Catholic Reporter
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Says Lawmakers Must Require Weatherization of Power Plants - And Pay For It, Dallas Morning News
Press Conference Footage, Facebook Live
Emergency Info on Shelter & Disaster Relief
[en español abajo]
Travis County Emergency authorities have now opened up three more shelters for anyone in need. They are looking to open up more if they can find more volunteers (see info on volunteering below). Below are the three shelters that are now open for all individuals or families needing shelter. Shelters will remain open 24/7 and will continue to operate for as long as there is a need. Please be careful on the roads - and drive slowly.
If you choose to go to a warming center/shelter, bring blankets and food with you if possible:
- Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road (Central Austin)
- Mendez Middle School, 5106 Village Square Drive (Southeast Austin)
- Northeast (formerly Reagan) High School, 7104 Berkman Drive (Northeast Austin)
If you need a ride to one of these shelters you can contact Austin Disaster Relief Network at 512-825-8211 or 211.
Also here are emergency numbers to share widely:
- Shelter Information: 512-305-4233
- Emergency Food: 211
- Medical Emergency: 911
The Austin Disaster Relief Network is in need of volunteers so they can open more shelters. Volunteers will assist in greeting/checking in people who arrive. AISD is willing to open more facilities but they don’t have the people-power. The volunteers do not need to be previously trained. Please call ADRN at 512-825-8211 to volunteer.
Please call one of the CTI Organizers if you have any questions:
- Doug Greco - 512-484-0590 (Travis and Williamson Co)
- Monique Vasquez - 520-248-8853 (Travis and Bastrop Co)
- Catherine Wicker - 512-771-9691 (Hays Co)
- Liz Ligawa - 254-292-8484 Waco and College Station
Las autoridades de emergencia del condado de Travis han abierto tres refugios más para cualquier persona que lo necesite. Quieren abrirse más pero necesitan encontrar más voluntarios (consulte la información sobre voluntariado a continuación). Hay tres refugios que ahora están abiertos para todas las personas o familias que necesitan refugio. Los refugios permanecerán abiertos las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana y seguirán funcionando durante el tiempo que sea necesario. Tenga cuidado en las caminas - y maneje lentamente.
Comparta esta información por favor.
- Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road (el centro de Austin)
- Mendez Middle School, 5106 Village Square Drive (sureste de Austin)
- Escuela secundaria Northeast (Reagan), 7104 Berkman Drive (noreste de Austin)
Si elige ir a un centro de calentamiento/refugio, lleve con usted cobijas y comida si es posible.
Si necesita que lo lleven a uno de estos refugios, puede comunicarse con Austin Disaster Relief Network al 512-825-8211 o 211.
También aquí hay números de emergencia para compartir ampliamente.
- Información de refugios: 512-305-4233
- Comida de emergencia: 211
- Emergencia médica: 911
Austin Disaster Relief Network necesita voluntarios para abrir más refugios. Los voluntarios ayudarán a saludar / registrar a las personas que lleguen. AISD quisiera abrir más ubicaciones, pero no tienen suficiente gente para hacerlo ahorita. Los voluntarios no necesitan formación previa. Por favor llame a ADRN al 512-825-8211 para ser voluntario.
Y llame a uno de los organizadores de CTI si tiene alguna pregunta:
- Doug Greco - 512-484-0590 (Travis and condado de Williamson)
- Monique Vasquez - 520-248-8853 (Travis and condado de Bastrop)
- Catherine Wicker - 512-771-9691 (condado de Hays)
- Liz Ligawa - 254-292-8484 Waco y College Station