Brent Bennett, PhD, is the policy director for Life:Powered, an initiative of the Texas Public Policy Foundation that reframes the national discussion on energy and the environment.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify today in favor of SB 1261. I am the policy director of Life:Powered, a project of the Texas Public Policy Foundation to raise America’s energy IQ. We support this bill because cities’ misguided climate action plans will place a financial strain on Texans and drive business out of the state while providing no tangible environmental benefits.
SB 1261 addresses the growing number of municipalities—including Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio—that are proposing ordinances to restrict or penalize activities that produce greenhouse gas emissions. In the absence of greater fed- eral and state actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, cities have banded together to take action themselves, forming groups like the Climate Mayors and setting goals in line with the Paris Agreement to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
Testimony Before the Texas Senate Natural Resources & Economic Development Committee