I’ll Be Through With This Topic Someday

Weak on sweeping next-gen public infrastructure investments, little focus on equity so communities are left behind, climate deniers in leadership so they don’t long prep for disaster.

We need to help people *now.* Long-term we must realize these are the consequences of inaction.

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 17, 2021

But not today.

And let me just add:  I’d rather have AOC than Dan Crenshaw as my Congressional representative 6 days a week, and twice on Sunday.

BTW, Gov. Absent had a press conference yesterday and crawfished on his Hannity claims because he was called on his bullshit. That might play on Hannity, but it doesn’t IRL. Not even in Texas. People are out of power in this state and, because of that, out of water. The Legislative Session is going to be about this and the state budget (required by the state Constitution), and nothing else.

And here is the thread explaining what happened and why Abbott had to crawfish:

Wind power is currently producing about 4,000 MW, or 2/3 of the ~6,000 MW that ERCOT was counting on wind to contribute during winter peaking events. Solar is coming online now and helping during daytime, exceeding the <300 MW it is counted on for in system planning. pic.twitter.com/51VkbEHDZF

— JesseJenkins (@JesseJenkins) February 16, 2021

The South Texas Nuclear Project came back on-line yesterday. It was down when Abbott went on Hannity. Solar and wind were still providing power at that time.

As millions of Texans continue struggling without electricity or potable water, Gov. Greg Abbott says he doesn't know which parts of the state should expect power to return. And more boil-water notices are expected. https://t.co/PbTtybNI4o

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) February 18, 2021

But he’s quite sure AOC is to blame. When he’s on Hannity, anyway.

More than 8 million people in Texas are facing disruptions in water services. https://t.co/2CUVlNH7XL

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) February 17, 2021

That number has already increased by 50%:

Nearly 12 million Texans faced water disruptions as of late Wednesday afternoon.

Many cities are telling residents to boil tap water for drinking, cooking, brushing their teeth and making ice. https://t.co/aThCzalm6z

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) February 18, 2021

As of this morning, some 2.7 million homes throughout the state still lack power. A roundup of resources compiled by Texas outlets:

— Texas Monthly (@TexasMonthly) February 17, 2021

More than 100 low-income older and disabled residents of an Austin high-rise apartment building were stranded without power and with dwindling food supplies for more than two days after the electricity went out. https://t.co/RCDrIN2qSO

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) February 17, 2021

Welcome to the shitshow.