[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 30 (Thursday, February 15, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IF TEXAS WAS INTERCONNECTED

  (Mr. CASAR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CASAR. Mr. Speaker, I am  Greg Casar, and I represent the heart 
of Texas. I represent hundreds of thousands of Texans who faced mass 
blackouts, medical emergencies, and even death 3 years ago during the 
Texas grid's failure under Winter Storm Uri. Over 10 million people 
needlessly lost power, and hundreds died, cold, alone, and in the dark.
  Texas officials like Greg Abbott have not just failed to fix the grid 
and to respond to constituents' needs, but they have repeatedly 
abandoned us in favor of large corporations and the donations that they 
provide, those corporations that profit off of the misery of Texans.
  That is why, yesterday, I announced new legislation, the Connect the 
Grid Act, to connect Texas to the national electric grids and make a 
real difference and bring forward real solutions.
  If our State were interconnected, we could prevent mass blackouts, 
save tens of billions of dollars, and help our country meet its climate 
goals. It is not radical to say that, in the middle of a heat wave or a 
winter storm, Texans should be able to keep the lights on.
  Too many people have already died because of our inaction. With the 
Connect the Grid Act, we can keep the lights on, and Congress can give 
power back to the people.

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