Powering Homes and Communities: Clean Energy Solutions For All

by Laura Sánchez Martínez, Texas Environmental Organizer

We all want to save money on electricity bills. But cutting costs isn’t just about lowering monthly payments; it’s also about protecting the health and stability of our families and reducing reliance on costly, polluting sources of power. As utility bills continue to climb, many households are feeling the strain, and we deserve solutions that are practical, affordable, and built to last. While some of these strategies are especially relevant for families in Texas, they can be applied anywhere in the country.

This week, we marked International Clean Energy Day, a reminder that clean energy is not a luxury but a tool to help families breathe easier, spend less, and build a stronger future for their communities. Clean energy isn’t just about power plants or big policy debates. It shows up in everyday choices that reduce consumption, lower bills, and protect the environment.

One simple way to make a difference starts right outside our front doors: planting native species. Plants adapted to local climates require far less water, which means less electricity is needed to pump, treat, and transport water. Trees and shrubs provide natural cooling and shade, lowering temperatures around homes and reducing the need for air conditioning during extreme heat, one of the biggest drivers of high utility costs.  Some communities are already taking action, reaping both environmental and financial benefits. In the Rio Grande Valley, the City of Mission formed a Native Plant Ad Hoc Committee to promote landscaping that supports local ecosystems while reducing household and municipal electricity demand. Cities and towns across the U.S. could follow this example and invest in solutions that protect families, lower costs, and strengthen communities. 

Simple upgrades inside the home also make a big difference, no matter where you live. Sealing air leaks, improving insulation, and switching to LED light bulbs reduce electricity use, lower emissions, and ease the strain on the grid, all while cutting monthly bills year-round.

Promoting clean energy should be more than a day on the calendar. It must be a year-round effort to reduce costs, protect health, and strengthen our communities. Clean energy starts with everyday actions that make homes healthier, more affordable, and more resilient, in Texas and across the country.

But clean energy becomes real when communities organize, vote, and demand policies that lower bills and protect health while also making smarter choices at home. Our civic power matters: when we speak up, contact our leaders, and vote in energy-related elections, we help build a cleaner, more affordable future for our families and our communities, from the Rio Grande Valley to every corner of the country.