Renewable reluctance pays off — for Big Oil

Offshore drilling

Regarding “Republicans clash with Interior Secretary on offshore leasing,” (July 13): The lead article in your Business section was quite enlightening — yet disappointing. The attitude of our GOP senators is not gas-consumer friendly in the least bit. I found Sen.

Bill Hagerty's statement, “Oil and gas companies are not investing right now because the environment has been terrible for them,” very misleading — at best. This statement is very misleading in light of the huge profits made by the major oil companies in the first quarter of 2022. Shell posted a $9.1 billion profit; ExxonMobil $8.8 billion; Chevron $6.5 billion; BP $6.2 billion; and ConocoPhillips $5.8 billion. The top five oil companies brought in over $35 billion in the first quarter. CEOs for the top 28 oil and gas companies have topped

$394 million in total compensation in 2021. It may very well appear that major oil companies' refusal to invest a major amount of money in renewable energy is paying off handsomely for them, but not for our country or middleand working-class Americans.

Joe Sosa, Katy

Regarding “Editorial: Biden's offshore drilling plan is a lose-lose. We need climate action,” (July 13): This editorial completely misses the mark on the global energy market demands, production and investment needs. If the administration's goal truly is to bring down energy costs, reduce global emissions and provide energy security for our nation and that of our allies, they should be expanding offshore drilling access to boost production to meet demand instead of limiting leases and continuing to disincentivize domestic production.

U.S. oil and gas is produced in a safer, cleaner and more reliable manner than many of our foreign counterparts. To put a halt to the new and emerging technologies that will continue to reduce emissions in domestic production, while enabling expanded production to supply the global market in a cleaner manner, is extremely shortsighted and could leave our energy security much more vulnerable to price swings in the market and geopolitical and production crisis. OPEC and the International Energy Agency both anticipate continued increased global demand for many years to come. The administration needs to face this realization, as well as overall energy demand. To meet the needs of the world, we must adopt an all-of-the above energy strategy that not only encourages investments in renewable sources, but also incentivizes cleaner, safer domestic oil and gas production.

Leslie Beyer, CEO, Energ y Workforce &

Technolog y Council

Energy expenses

Regarding “ERCOT issues second conservation notice this week, calling on Texans to conserve power,” (July 13): Years ago, in an effort to save customers the expense of building another generating plant, Pacific Gas and Electric gave low-income households free, energy-saving, compact fluorescent light bulbs. Today, LED lights are even more efficient. How much energy (and money) could be saved if ERCOT sponsored a program to give free, or highly discounted, LED lightbulbs to all Texas households that don't already have them? Buying hundreds of thousands of bulbs at a time would drive down the cost. Retailers might complain but they also have a stake in ensuring continued energy availability.

Roger Vaught, Houston

Homelessness in Houston

Regarding “Houston's fight to end homelessness received national attention. Why are ‘tent cities' still here?,” (July 14): Dynamite story! Attaboy to your reporters and staff, and to the subjects and good Samaritans for shining a light on what's going on with Houston's homeless persons. All good; no one's out to hurt anyone, yet the problem remains very real. I'm proud that Houston has many resources — monetary and personal — and keeps working to address homelessness. Thanks to you all.

Margaret Hansen, Houston

On us, Texas

Regarding “AG Ken Paxton declines to sue candidates, officials who owe $700K in unpaid campaign violation fines,” (July 14): It is so interesting that Ken Paxton is so willing to spend our taxpayer money on federal suits, but is unwilling to sue Texas politicians and candidates for campaign violations to the tune of over $700,000. I for one, would like to see our money and the $700,000 due, put toward protecting our schools and helping with mental health issues. Why do Texans continue to put up with this kind of leadership? Just asking.

Patricia Hayward, Houston

After 20 years of Republican rule in Texas, it is clear. If you want a change, it's not going to happen unless you do something different. After 20 years our electricity grid is failing even though we claim to be the “energy capital of the world.” Electricity, home insurance, property taxes, home prices and college tuition are through the roof.

Texas has been transformed from the friendly state to the “we hate gays, Muslims, Mexicans, teachers” police state. Our streets have been flooded with guns. Our schools, churches, concerts, military bases and shopping malls are no longer safe.

It's time to stop blaming our elected officials and start blaming ourselves. Do something different come November.

John Cobarruvias, Houston