Protect Our Electric Grid!

September 18, 2023 | Austin, TX

by Tom Glass, Protect the Texas Grid

Now that the Paxton impeachment trial is over, Governor Abbott is expected to announce soon what topics he will add to an October special session.

PLEASE CONTACT THE GOVERNOR TODAY to urge him to take action to secure the Texas grid.

There is a broad consensus among knowledgeable Texans that there is great urgency in hardening and securing our grid against threats which are becoming more dire every day.

PLEASE CONTACT GOVERNOR ABBOTT TODAY

Use the form on the Governor’s website

Call Governor Abbott: 512-463-2000

Sample Message

Dear Governor Abbott,

I am writing to express my deep concern about the rising security threats to our Texas Power Grid. Vandalism and sabotage have increased by 1900% since 2017, with 19 reported events in the first six months of 2023 alone.

Utility companies have blocked efforts to establish minimum security standards, and there is a shortage of transformers worldwide. Coordinated attacks on large substations have occurred, and individuals from foreign adversaries are entering through the unsecured border.

I urge you to address this emergency promptly in two ways:

1) Add legislation in a special session to direct and fund the hardening of electrical transmission and generation facilities and other critical infrastructures against the threat of solar disturbances, nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attacks, foreign and domestic terrorists, and to provide measurable resiliency to critical infrastructure against all-hazards in Texas.

2) Use the recently passed HB 2555 to prioritize physical security and fast-track protection of critical assets.

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The bottom line is to ask for a special session topic to secure the grid and to take expedited efforts using existing law.