During a recent government meeting, Larry Linnenschmidt, Executive Director of the Hill Country Institute, addressed the urgent need for Texas to adapt its infrastructure to the realities of climate change. Speaking on behalf of the Citizens Climate Lobby, he highlighted findings from a report by the Texas State climatologist, which outlines the increasing severity of extreme weather events in the state.

Linnenschmidt emphasized that climate change is a significant factor in the rising frequency of droughts, wildfires, tornadoes, and hurricanes. He pointed out that over 97% of climate scientists agree that human activity is a primary driver of global warming. He urged the committee to consider these scientific insights when planning for the reliability of Texas's power grid.

To address these challenges, Linnenschmidt proposed several measures. He called for a $2 million fund to develop a climate action plan through the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). He also suggested building more transmission lines and ensuring that both new and existing lines are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions specific to their locations.

The meeting concluded with the committee members expressing their commitment to addressing these pressing issues in the upcoming legislative session. They acknowledged the importance of the oversight committee's work in preparing for future challenges related to climate change and infrastructure reliability.