by Brinn F.
The fight against climate change can often seem distant and on a scale beyond what the average person has the power to do. While it’s true that saving our planet is a task that can only be accomplished through collective action, we have an opportunity for that action right here in Austin, Texas. Within the past year, the city of Austin has unveiled a plan to construct a gas plant to be operated by Austin Energy. This unsustainable plan would only further add to the pollution in a city already struggling to keep the air safe and breathable.
It was this proposal that galvanized Austin’s environmentalists to form the Public Power Campaign. This broad coalition comprised people from a variety of backgrounds such as environmentalism, labor organizing, and simply being a concerned resident of Austin. The possibility of the city investing its limited resources towards a non-renewable, polluting source of energy was enough to pull together a diverse base of support.
The most immediate goal of the public power campaign is to prevent the construction of the planned gas power plant. However, the campaign extends beyond that to fight for climate justice well into the future. Beyond stopping the expansion of non-renewable energy, the campaign advocates for the construction of renewable sources of energy here in Austin. Not only would this create a safer environment to live in, it would also give the city access to federal funds under the Inflation Reduction Act. With this plan, Austin has the opportunity to be a national leader by simultaneously creating clean and sustainable energy infrastructure and growing the city budget.
Another priority of the Public Power Campaign is ensuring that the transition to green energy is done in a way that protects Austin’s workers in the long term. An invaluable part of the campaign has been its cooperation with organized labor. A common concern about the push for renewables is that it risks putting workers in the energy sector out of a job. By working so closely with, and being spearheaded by, workers in the field, the campaign’s goals have been tailored to protect labor during this transition. The campaign is fighting to prevent Austin’s energy infrastructure being sold off to private interests who are more likely to lay off workers for profit. At the same time, the campaign is pushing for protections to guarantee workers can continue to work in the field once unsustainable sources of energy are replaced by sustainable ones.
There are a number of ways to get involved with this effort. Those in the Public Power Campaign have emphasized that this work can only be accomplished with the continued efforts and support of Austin’s communities. One of the best ways to get involved at time of writing is to participate in the upcoming climate town hall hosted by the Austin Democratic Socialists of America. The town hall will take place on September 29th at 2:00 PM located at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection Parish Hall. Beyond attending Public Power Campaign events, representatives from the campaign encouraged people to support candidates who advance climate justice such as Mike Siegel, the DSA’s endorsed candidate for the District 7 council seat. As well as pushing for supportive candidates, a great way to help out is to talk to others about the campaign and its importance for the future health of our community.
In the fight for climate justice, the challenges ahead are significant. The construction of the planned gas plant would have negative effects for both Austin’s health and economy for decades to come. However, the combined efforts of so many sectors of this community have created a real chance to not only prevent this current catastrophe, but to go further and fight for future victories. Only through solidarity and collective effort can the Public Power Campaign help bring about a cleaner, just, and more prosperous future for the people of Austin.
This article was written based on information generously provided in interviews with Austin DSA Members Jay P. and Ramsey B.