By Lisa Gonzalez, Vice President & Executive Director, Audubon Texas
As temperatures soared past 100°F across Texas this week, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) projected a new May record for statewide electricity demand—highlighting the increasing strain on our power grid. In recent years, we have seen the system pushed to the edge again and again, whether from deep freezes, hurricanes, or heatwaves. These events are no longer rare—they are part of our new normal. This early heatwave is a timely reminder that reliability and affordability go hand in hand with a smarter, more balanced energy mix.
Extreme weather is tough on birds—and it is tough on people. To meet the moment, Texas needs to invest in responsibly-sited wind, solar, and battery storage—resources that are already helping keep the lights on and bills down for ratepayers across the state. Texans deserve a reliable grid powered by the energy sources that work best for them. But legislation like Senate Bills 388, 715, and 819 threaten to strip Texans of their choice and delay or restrict the very energy sources that help keep the grid stable and electricity prices in check during times of high demand.
We need your help. Later in the blog, you’ll find easy ways to take action and help Texas move toward a cleaner, more reliable energy future.
We Need Resilience When It Matters Most
Renewables have strengthened the resiliency and dependability of our grid, especially during extreme weather events. Even under normal weather conditions, renewable energy helps our grid thrive. Abundant sunshine helps meet demand during peak hours. Wind generation often kicks in during late afternoon and evening hours, smoothing the demand curve. And, unlike other forms of energy, wind and solar require less seasonal maintenance, making them a reliable backup during planned outages for natural gas and other power sources. Battery storage is also quickly becoming the bridge between both—storing cheap, clean energy and quickly dispatching it to consumers when needed most.
While natural gas has long been a part of Texas’ energy mix, it comes with risks, both to grid reliability and long-term resilience. It has consistently underperformed during extreme weather, with high rates of planned and unplanned outages contributing to multiple grid emergencies in recent years. And while often promoted as a “bridge fuel,” natural gas emits methane and carbon dioxide, exacerbating the extreme events and stressors that put our electric grid under pressure. An “all-of-the-above” approach to energy must still be balanced. We cannot afford to lean too heavily on a resource that has repeatedly failed us in crisis and intensifies the underlying problem. A stronger, more reliable Texas grid will depend on a diverse fuel mix—anchored by responsibly sited wind, solar, and battery storage—that keeps power flowing and costs stable for all Texans.
Responsibly-sited renewable energy plays a vital role in protecting birds and the habitats they rely on by reducing harmful emissions and supporting healthier ecosystems—how and where we build this infrastructure matters. That’s why Audubon works alongside energy developers, landowners, and statewide partners to promote responsible clean energy siting—using advanced mapping tools and best practices to ensure renewable energy projects move forward while safeguarding birds and habitats. As part of our broader response to the long-term impacts of climate change,i Audubon’s Flight Plan outlines how responsibly sited wind and solar, paired with storage, can help bend the bird curve—reversing the alarming decline in bird populations through thoughtful energy development.ii Audubon advocates for renewable energy projects that avoid key migratory pathways, sensitive habitats, and high-risk collision areas.iii With smart policies and science-based siting practices, we can expand clean energy, create local jobs, strengthen Texas’ electric grid and economy, and safeguard the birds and natural landscapes that define our state.
Renewables Lower Prices—and Texans Know It
Wind and solar aren’t just stabilizing the grid—they’re also driving down energy costs. During many high-demand hours, clean energy is among the lowest-cost power sources in the statewide market, helping to reduce electricity bills for all Texans. Between 2010 and 2022, wind and solar saved Texas consumers $28 billion in electricity costs.iv These projects also boost local economies, contributing an estimated $3.5 billion each year through payments to private landowners, in addition to generating state and local tax revenues.v Solar and wind are also creating jobs across Texas communities. As of 2023, over 261,000 Texans work in clean energy jobs across the state.vi Texans recognize the value: polling consistently shows strong, statewide support for renewable energy.vii,viii Audubon’s position is rooted not only in science and economics, but in what every day Texans are asking for—real solutions when extreme temperatures put pressure on our power system and endanger our communities.
Take Action: Tell Your State Representative to Keep Texas a Leader in Clean Energy and Conservation
This week’s extreme heat is a clear reminder: Texas needs well-planned wind, solar, and battery storage. Texas leads the nation in renewable energy because we’ve embraced energy independence, private land stewardship, and economic opportunity. Turning away from that progress now with legislation like Senate Bills 388, 715, and 819 would weaken our electricity grid and abandon the values that define us. Being anti-renewables is being anti-energy—and that’s not the Texas way.
With record-breaking heat and rising demand straining our grid, now is the time to stand up for smart, forward-looking energy solutions that protect both birds and people. Contact your state representative today—especially members of the House Committee on State Affairs—and urge them to oppose Senate Bills 388, 715, 819, and other legislation that stalls responsibly sited clean energy. Tell them you support a resilient, affordable, and bird-friendly future that keeps Texas in the lead.
Your voice matters. Let’s power Texas forward—together.
