As we reflect on a year of unprecedented weather events, we must move into the new year embracing a diverse mix of power options to protect Americans from blackouts and climate extremes.

While Massachusetts escaped the worst of the U.S. heat waves this summer, we did experience the hottest July ever recorded in the commonwealth. In the Valley, we suffered terrible flooding of local farms, hazardous smoke from Canadian wildfires, and extensive fruit crop losses due to a May freeze.

With 2023 the hottest on record globally, according to the World Meteorological Organization, it’s clear that America’s electric grid is under more pressure than ever. How can our energy systems withstand the strain?

Right now, our energy system is dominated by fossil fuels. But fossil fuels don’t always keep the lights on. Even oil- and gas-rich Texas suffered major power outages a few years ago when the demands for energy were high, but their grid wasn’t up to the task.

Fortunately, a more diverse energy mix with growing amounts of carbon-free wind, solar, and hydroelectric power is coming online. Indeed, for the first time, renewables generated 25% of U.S. power in the first half of 2023. This trend is already allowing Americans to hold the line as we face the growing challenge of dangerous heat.

Let’s look again to Texas, where residents experienced weeks and weeks of stifling heat that hit triple digits. Consequently, the state reached a new all-time peak power demand record on Aug. 10. With potential outages putting the young, old, infirm, and vulnerable at risk, the state’s power grid remained mostly stable this time, thanks to renewable energy sources and battery storage.

Texas now has more wind-generated electricity than any other state. It’s also a leader in solar energy.

Likewise, in August, when record temperatures hit California, the state’s renewable energy mix and battery storage capacity powered the state through the worst of the heat. A growing amount of solar power in Europe also helped avert energy shortages during the summer heat waves.

As climate change accelerates faster than scientists predicted, it’s vital that we act to change our energy systems as quickly and efficiently as possible. Transitioning our power sources to clean, domestic energy will protect us from blackouts and shield hard-working Americans from international price shocks and energy inflation.

The numbers already look good, with renewables cutting global power costs by $520 billion in 2022 and many U.S. states — especially rural ones — seeing record investment and jobs thanks to lucrative clean energy projects.

Now we must finish the job, making sure that we not only have clean energy options but also that clean energy can be transmitted where it’s needed.

Thankfully, the BIG WIRES Act, a bill introduced this Congress by Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., in the Senate and Rep. Scott Peters of Califotnia in the House would go a long way toward making America’s electric grid more reliable and resilient. It would require utilities to allow more power to flow between regions of the country, helping protect against major, long-term outages during extreme weather events.

This additional transmission would lower energy costs for Americans overall — areas producing cheap energy can sell it to regions where it’s now more expensive, and regions can connect new, low-cost resources to the grid.

With nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults now saying that climate change is noticeably affecting their local communities, it’s only fair we have access to affordable clean energy produced right here at home without the climate consequences of fossil fuels. U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern and Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey should not delay in supporting the common-sense solutions laid out in the BIG WIRES Act.

At a Sept. 28, 2023, hearing before the Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives, officials from all seven of the country’s grid operators agreed that our nation’s power grids must adapt to rapid electrification.

As we move into a new year, it’s time for the entire Massachusetts congressional delegation to support legislation that allows the integration of abundant, renewable energy and ensures all Americans are protected from life-threatening blackouts.

Mark Reynolds is the executive director of Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Linda Butler is a volunteer with the Pioneer Valley chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby.