The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“Texas (Executive Session)” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Senate section on pages S801-S802 on Feb. 23.
The Department oversees energy policies and is involved in how the US handles nuclear programs. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department's misguided energy regulations have caused large losses to consumers for decades.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
Texas
Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, my State is no stranger to severe weather. In the past few years, we have experienced the devastation of major hurricanes, tropical storms, and tornadoes. But last week brought something entirely new in the form of extreme weather--winter storms, prolonged subfreezing temperatures, and treacherous roadways across the entire State. And unlike, for example, the State of Massachusetts, where that may not be entirely uncommon, we are not used to that subzero freezing weather.
Our State was not prepared, I think it is clear to say, correct to say, for these low temperatures or the devastating impact they would have on our critical infrastructure.
Frozen natural gas wells and wind turbines, among other issues, led to widespread power outages, and millions of Texans were left without a way to keep their family warm throughout the historic low temperatures.
Compounding matters even further, some 12 million Texans faced water disruptions due to the lasting power outages and frozen or broken water lines. Cities across the State issued boil notices, and folks whose taps are still dry resorted to boiling snow as their only option for drinking water or perhaps even to flush the toilets.
The weather created incredibly dangerous conditions for many across the State, especially our most vulnerable citizens. We know of nearly 80 Texans who have died due to this extreme weather, and that number is likely to climb in the days ahead.
These widespread outages will prompt a necessary investigation into the high level of generation failures, as well as the overall security and reliability of our energy grid. We have a lot of work to do to ensure that these deadly mass outages never occur again--no matter what Mother Nature sends our way. There is no reason for millions of people in one of the most energy-rich places in the world to be left without reliable power.
Senator Cruz and I sent a letter to President Biden urging him to grant Governor Abbott's request for an emergency disaster declaration, and I appreciate the President's quick action to ensure our State could receive the full range of Federal resources to respond to this crisis.
I also worked with the Governor and the Department of Energy to secure an emergency order allowing Texas power generators to increase production, and I appreciate the fact that that, too, was quickly approved.
In times of crisis there is no red team and no blue team, and I want to thank every person who has supported the response to this crisis so far, whether they are Texans or not. I know more will be needed in the days and weeks ahead, and I want to assure the folks back home that I am listening, I am working, and I am here to help any way that I can. And I know that I speak for the entire Texas delegation.
I know there are still many without water and electricity, and I want to assure them that you are the Nation's priority. But in the face of hardship--and, as I started my remarks, we have been through a lot over the last few years--I am always in awe of the way Texans show up and help one another--neighbors helping neighbors. We have seen countless inspiring stories in the past, and this disaster is no exception.
There are stories like that of Ken Everly, an 82-year-old Air Force veteran from Grande Prairie. Mr. Everly is on hospice care. He relies on a breathing machine to keep him alive and a special air mattress that prevents bedsores to keep him comfortable. When his home lost power, Mr. Everly was in serious danger of losing his life. The breathing machine cut off, and the air mattress deflated, leaving him struggling to breathe on an iron bed frame.
His son-in-law Nate pleaded for help on Facebook, and within hours help arrived. Nate said: ``I don't know where it came from, but a generator showed up.'' Thanks to the generosity of a stranger, Mr. Everly once again had his breathing machine operating, a comfortable mattress, and heat in his home.
The best part of that story, though, is that it is not unique. In ways big and small, we have seen other examples of neighbors going out of their way to help one another.
Jeep drivers in North Texas teamed up to offer free rides to and from work for healthcare workers and first responders. Restaurants across the State offered free food to folks without power. And countless Texans shared offers on social media to deliver warm meals, bottles of water, and a range of other supplies to those in need.
One of the big issues that folks back home have faced is a lack of safe drinking water, a need Houston-area breweries stepped up to fill. The breweries already had a supply of clean water on hand for their brewing process, and they spread the word to their communities: Come by with a container, and we will give you some clean water. These breweries collectively donated thousands of gallons of clean drinking water completely free of charge.
Across Texas, churches, schools, nonprofits, community centers, and local organizations opened their doors as warming centers. One of those warming centers is operated by Houston's most beloved furniture store owner, known as ``Mattress Mack.'' Dating back to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Mack has opened the doors of his stores to provide food and shelter to those impacted by extreme weather. Over the last several days, Gallery Furniture, his furniture business, has been open around the clock for Texans to stay as long as they need, whether it is an hour for a hot meal or for several nights.
These stories warm my heart, and they are a reminder of the strength and generosity of Texans and an encouraging reminder of the endless amount of goodwill that still exists in the world. The outpouring of love exemplifies a quote that I heard some time ago from a Texas county commissioner after one particularly terrible accident in West Texas. He said: ``Being a Texan doesn't describe where you're from; it describes who your family is.''
Well, I am grateful to those countless Texans who supported our communities across our State during this crisis. First responders and 9/11 dispatchers have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Healthcare workers, fighting a pandemic already, have now had to deal with power outages, staffing shortages, and water disruptions because of the storm. Utility workers and energy providers have worked, of course, around the clock in dangerous conditions to restore power and safe drinking water to Texans. And millions of unsung heroes have helped their fellow Texans get through these dark days: checking on an elderly neighbor, helping drivers whose vehicles were stuck in the snow, welcoming people into their homes, donating supplies to those in need, and so much more.
I would like to offer a special thank-you to members of my staff in Texas who continued working throughout this crisis while battling power and water outages themselves. Because of their diligence, my office has connected Texans in need with local resources to provide shelter, food, and water. We have stayed in contact with State and local emergency officials about the ongoing crisis, and we have assisted local critical care facilities in need, including a large COVID testing lab in Austin. We helped connect it with local resources to receive additional fuel for its generators so millions of dollars of COVID testing materials and pathology tests would not go to waste.
The past year has dealt us a tough hand. I would say that is true for America. But I have faith that we will come through this crisis just as we always have before--together. I continue to say a prayer for those impacted by the storm and assure my constituents, my friends and neighbors in Texas, that I will continue to do everything in my power to help our State recover and rebuild
