INSIDER
ERCOT forecast to reach near historic peak of energy demand. How much can it take?
Read full article: ERCOT forecast to reach near historic peak of energy demand. How much can it take?Naturally, with the growing power demand, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that ERCOT will reach another peak. According to ERCOT’s records, its grid has reached peak demand hours consecutively each year. In August 2023, the record peaked at 85,508 MW, surpassing its peak demand from July 2022, which was at 80,148 MW.
Texas electricity demand could nearly double in six years, grid operator predicts
Read full article: Texas electricity demand could nearly double in six years, grid operator predictsThe prediction by ERCOT reflects a new way of counting future demand and a spike in requests to connect to the grid from large power users.
ERCOT Chairman Paul Foster stepping down from Board of Directors
Read full article: ERCOT Chairman Paul Foster stepping down from Board of DirectorsThe announcement was made Tuesday in a brief social media post describing Foster's work as "integral to ERCOT and to the electric power industry in Texas."
Will solar eclipse impact Texas power grid? Here’s how ERCOT is preparing
Read full article: Will solar eclipse impact Texas power grid? Here’s how ERCOT is preparingAs the solar eclipse approaches, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas is gearing up with strategic planning and tools to maintain Texas’ power grid balance.
Lubbock residents have long dreamed of cheaper electricity. Will Texas’ open market deliver?
Read full article: Lubbock residents have long dreamed of cheaper electricity. Will Texas’ open market deliver?Years in the making, the transition from a municipal electric company to an open market has left some residents unsure.
ERCOT asks Texans to conserve electricity use on Monday morning
Read full article: ERCOT asks Texans to conserve electricity use on Monday morningThe Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) are asking Texans to conserve electricity usage Monday morning.
Here is the latest update on the ERCOT grid conditions expected during the hard freeze
Read full article: Here is the latest update on the ERCOT grid conditions expected during the hard freezeThe Electric Reliability Council of Texas issued a weather watch from Jan. 14- 17 due to the hard freeze that will impact the state.
ERCOT power forecast: What’s predicted for the grid during the winter freeze
Read full article: ERCOT power forecast: What’s predicted for the grid during the winter freezeAs we get closer to the freezing weather in Texas, ERCOT provides a 6-day forecast for its grid capacity. Here's what ERCOT is expecting for supply and demand during the cold snap.
Track the Texas power grid: Here’s how to monitor ERCOT’s current grid conditions in real-time
Read full article: Track the Texas power grid: Here’s how to monitor ERCOT’s current grid conditions in real-timeThe Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which manages the state’s main power grid, has a dashboard that allows residents to track current conditions and usage. The timestamp of each dashboard indicates when the information was last updated, according to ERCOT’s website.
This is when ERCOT predicts we could see rolling blackouts
Read full article: This is when ERCOT predicts we could see rolling blackoutsThe Electric Reliability Council of Texas has released a forecast for January 2024 and it explains when the power grid has the highest chances of requiring conservations, and even rolling blackouts.
ERCOT issues Weather Watch ahead of extreme cold weather in SE Texas
Read full article: ERCOT issues Weather Watch ahead of extreme cold weather in SE TexasThe Electric Reliability Council of Texas has issued a Weather Watch from Jan. 15-17 due to forecasted extreme cold weather across Southeast Texas, higher electrical demand, and the potential for lower reserves.
Below-freezing temps likely as coldest weather of the season expected next week in SE Texas: What to know🧊
Read full article: Below-freezing temps likely as coldest weather of the season expected next week in SE Texas: What to know🧊There is increasing concern for a hard freeze across Southeast Texas that will possibly happen next Monday night into Tuesday morning, the National Weather Service announced. There is also the potential for another hard freeze Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
Texan Bitcoin miners profit by using less electricity; advocates say all Texans should get the same chance
Read full article: Texan Bitcoin miners profit by using less electricity; advocates say all Texans should get the same chanceBitcoin miner Riot Platforms made headlines over the summer for making millions by selling pre-purchased power back to the grid. The news highlighted how the grid can benefit businesses more than consumers.
Texas grid faces winter after failed attempt to get more power online
Read full article: Texas grid faces winter after failed attempt to get more power onlineIndustry experts continue to argue over whether the electricity market in Texas needs to change to make the grid more reliable in winter and summer.
ERCOT cancels request for additional capacity, expects to be prepared for extreme weather this winter
Read full article: ERCOT cancels request for additional capacity, expects to be prepared for extreme weather this winterThe Electric Reliability Council of Texas has canceled a request to increase operating reserves this winter as it expected to be prepared for extreme weather.
ERCOT updates minimum operating reserves for emergency conditions ahead of winter months
Read full article: ERCOT updates minimum operating reserves for emergency conditions ahead of winter monthsThe Electric Reliability Council of Texas announced Tuesday an update to the emergency operations reserve levels ahead of the winter months.
U.S. Reps. Jodey Arrington, Roger Williams decline House speaker bid
Read full article: U.S. Reps. Jodey Arrington, Roger Williams decline House speaker bidOnly one Texan, Rep. Pete Sessions, remains in the race for House Speaker. Republicans will hear from the candidates Monday night as they try to fill the job following U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan’s failure to win a majority.
In trying to close its coal power plant, Austin encounters obstacles to going green
Read full article: In trying to close its coal power plant, Austin encounters obstacles to going greenThe city approved a plan in 2020 to shut the Fayette Power Project plant with the aim of eliminating carbon emissions. But political, economic and technological forces have gotten in the way.
ERCOT seeks to increase operating reserves in preparation for winter
Read full article: ERCOT seeks to increase operating reserves in preparation for winterAs part of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas’ approach to grid operations, a request was issued to stakeholders Monday to increase operating reserves, a news release said.
What prompted Wednesday’s energy emergency? Here’s what ERCOT is saying
Read full article: What prompted Wednesday’s energy emergency? Here’s what ERCOT is sayingThe Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) instituted an Energy Emergency Alert on Wednesday but avoided calling for controlled outages to keep the grid in balance.
Texas heat brings the state’s power grid closest it has been to outages since 2021 winter storm
Read full article: Texas heat brings the state’s power grid closest it has been to outages since 2021 winter stormThe sweltering heat wave in Texas has the power grid manager again asking residents to cut electricity use.
Texas heat brings the state's power grid closest it has been to outages since 2021 winter storm
Read full article: Texas heat brings the state's power grid closest it has been to outages since 2021 winter stormThe sweltering heat wave in Texas has the power grid manager again asking residents to cut electricity use.
ERCOT paid Bitcoin miner Riot $31.7M to limit energy consumption during heat wave in August
Read full article: ERCOT paid Bitcoin miner Riot $31.7M to limit energy consumption during heat wave in AugustRiot Platforms is losing so much money that it’s counting on energy credits from selling power back to the Texas grid to keep its costs under control, reports said.
ERCOT requests conservation from businesses, residents Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Read full article: ERCOT requests conservation from businesses, residents Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.The Electric Reliability Council of Texas is asking Texans to conserve electricity use, if safe to do so, Thursday from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
ERCOT says Wednesday’s entrance into emergency operations caused by drop in operating reserves, frequency
Read full article: ERCOT says Wednesday’s entrance into emergency operations caused by drop in operating reserves, frequencyThe Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has asked Houston residents and businesses to conserve electricity due to continued high temperatures, high demand, low wind and declining solar power generation Wednesday evening.
ERCOT issues call to voluntarily conserve electricity usage to avoid possibility of controlled outages
Read full article: ERCOT issues call to voluntarily conserve electricity usage to avoid possibility of controlled outagesThe Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has issued a Voluntary Conservation Notice to customers.
State grid operator asks Texans to reduce energy use Thursday afternoon as demand spikes
Read full article: State grid operator asks Texans to reduce energy use Thursday afternoon as demand spikesThis is the second voluntary conservation notice issued this summer by ERCOT, which hopes to lower electricity use and avoid tight grid conditions amid an ongoing heat wave.
ERCOT issues weather watch due to extreme temperatures, higher electrical demand
Read full article: ERCOT issues weather watch due to extreme temperatures, higher electrical demandThe Electric Reliability Council of Texas has issued a weather watch due to extreme temperatures Friday and forecasted record demand.
ERCOT can’t be sued over power grid failures during 2021 winter storm, Texas Supreme Court rules
Read full article: ERCOT can’t be sued over power grid failures during 2021 winter storm, Texas Supreme Court rulesThe all-Republican court narrowly found that the nonprofit corporation operating the state’s electrical grid qualifies for sovereign immunity, which protects government entities from lawsuits.
Sweltering heat tests Texas' power grid and patience as thousands in South still without electricity
Read full article: Sweltering heat tests Texas' power grid and patience as thousands in South still without electricityTexas’ power grid operator is asking residents to voluntarily cut back on electricity due to anticipated record demand on the system as a heat wave keeps parts of the state and southern U.S. in triple-digit temperatures.
Texas called for energy conservation Tuesday as extreme heat spiked electricity demand
Read full article: Texas called for energy conservation Tuesday as extreme heat spiked electricity demandTexans were asked to conserve energy from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday as temperatures climb over 100 degrees for much of the state.
ERCOT creates notification system, website to give up-to-date information about Texas power grid: This is how to sign up
Read full article: ERCOT creates notification system, website to give up-to-date information about Texas power grid: This is how to sign upThe Electric Reliability Council of Texas is holding a news conference on Wednesday to announce its new campaign to provide reliable information to Texans about the power grid.
Addressing Texas’ power grid concerns
Read full article: Addressing Texas’ power grid concernsOn Wednesday, officials with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, shared a seasonal assessment that shows extreme temperatures over the summer may put the state in an energy crunch. These worries stem from what officials with the Public Utilities Commission of Texas and ERCOT said is Texas’ failure to keep up with population growth in terms of the grid.
Texas utility commission chair raises threat of summer power outages and pushes for more gas-powered electricity
Read full article: Texas utility commission chair raises threat of summer power outages and pushes for more gas-powered electricityPublic Utility Commission Chair Peter Lake said renewable energy could be critical to preventing power outages this summer. Renewable energy supporters said the grid’s reliability doesn’t hinge on wind and solar.
ERCOT says power grid is prepared for summer but encourages change as Texas population increases
Read full article: ERCOT says power grid is prepared for summer but encourages change as Texas population increasesThe Electric Reliability Council of Texas and the Public Utility Commission of Texas are holding a press conference on Wednesday in Austin to update Texans on the status of the grid ahead of the upcoming summer.
A plan for Texas to build its own power plants could cost $7 billion more than expected
Read full article: A plan for Texas to build its own power plants could cost $7 billion more than expectedThe plants would be activated during emergencies. Lawmakers haven’t decided whether to pay for them through state funds or higher charges to electricity customers.
Appeals court says state agency set electricity prices too high during 2021 winter storm
Read full article: Appeals court says state agency set electricity prices too high during 2021 winter stormThe actions by the Public Utility Commission led to billions of dollars of overcharges, the Austin-based court found. It’s not yet clear if the ruling will affect consumers.
What you need to know about Texas’ complex — but important — electricity market reform plan
Read full article: What you need to know about Texas’ complex — but important — electricity market reform planThe idea, which still lacks some important details and could be changed by state lawmakers, would change how electricity is paid for in tight times. We explain it for everyday Texans.
Lawsuits pile up two years after Texas’ devastating winter storm
Read full article: Lawsuits pile up two years after Texas’ devastating winter stormThousands are accusing power companies, distribution companies, electric grid operators and others of failing to prepare properly for the February 2021 storm, creating a catastrophe.
State agency that oversees Texas power grid needs more money to do its job, Sunset Commission finds
Read full article: State agency that oversees Texas power grid needs more money to do its job, Sunset Commission findsThe Public Utility Commission has about 200 employees but needs more to handle shoring up the state power grid and tackling an expanded list of regulatory duties, according to the state Sunset Advisory Commission.
Texas Supreme Court will decide whether ERCOT should be immune from lawsuits sparked by deadly winter storm
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court will decide whether ERCOT should be immune from lawsuits sparked by deadly winter stormMany people and insurers sued the Electric Reliability Council of Texas after the 2021 freeze. The nonprofit says it shouldn’t be liable. The state Supreme Court has a chance to weigh in.
After underestimating power demand, Texas electric grid operator gets federal permission to exceed air quality limits
Read full article: After underestimating power demand, Texas electric grid operator gets federal permission to exceed air quality limitsThe U.S. Department of Energy granted permission for power plants to release more pollution than is normally allowed — if grid conditions worsen.
Texans should prepare for “life-threatening” wind chills, but officials remain confident in power grid
Read full article: Texans should prepare for “life-threatening” wind chills, but officials remain confident in power gridGov. Greg Abbott and other leaders say Texans should protect their homes and vehicles as large portions of the state will experience dangerously cold temperatures.
Track the Texas power grid: Watch ERCOT’s current grid conditions in real-time
Read full article: Track the Texas power grid: Watch ERCOT’s current grid conditions in real-timeThe Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which manages the state’s main power grid, has a dashboard that allows residents to track current conditions and usage. The timestamp of each dashboard indicates when the information was last updated, according to ERCOT’s website.
Texas lawmakers ask state agency to delay power market redesign until after 2023 legislative session
Read full article: Texas lawmakers ask state agency to delay power market redesign until after 2023 legislative sessionIn a Monday committee hearing, lawmakers questioned whether a Public Utility Commission proposal to redesign Texas’ electricity market would lead to the building of more natural-gas-fired power plants. Regulators say it would.
Texas grid still vulnerable to extreme winter weather, ERCOT estimate shows
Read full article: Texas grid still vulnerable to extreme winter weather, ERCOT estimate showsChanges to Texas’ power grid have improved ERCOT’s ability to keep power flowing during major winter storms, but in an extreme scenario, the grid could still face rolling blackouts, a seasonal assessment shows.
Gov. Greg Abbott touts Texas power grid’s readiness heading into fall, election season
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott touts Texas power grid’s readiness heading into fall, election seasonThe governor shared the favorable forecast — which is normal for the fall months — ahead of a competitive race in which the grid’s performance during last year’s fatal winter storm may factor into Texans’ decisions at the polls.
After ‘exhaustive nationwide search,’ ERCOT selects new CEO to lead Texas power grid company
Read full article: After ‘exhaustive nationwide search,’ ERCOT selects new CEO to lead Texas power grid companyThe Electric Reliability Council of Texas Board of Directors announced Tuesday the selection of Pablo Vegas to serve as the President and CEO for the Texas grid operator. Vegas will join ERCOT on October 1.
Pablo Vegas, a utility executive in Ohio, named ERCOT’s new CEO
Read full article: Pablo Vegas, a utility executive in Ohio, named ERCOT’s new CEOThe state power grid operator has been run by an interim chief since the previous CEO was fired following the deadly 2021 winter storm that crashed much of the grid.
‘He has total veto power’: Greg Abbott takes control over who will lead Texas’ troubled power grid, sources say
Read full article: ‘He has total veto power’: Greg Abbott takes control over who will lead Texas’ troubled power grid, sources sayLocked in a potentially tight reelection race and facing criticism over the grid’s 2021 collapse, the governor is exerting unprecedented influence over what the state grid operator shares with the public — and who will be its next CEO.
Why the High Plains turns off its turbines to limit wind production while the Texas power grid is stressed
Read full article: Why the High Plains turns off its turbines to limit wind production while the Texas power grid is stressedWhile wind farms in the region could help power and lower energy costs for at least 9 million homes, significant infrastructure upgrades would be needed to supply electricity from the region to other parts of the state.
Limiting crypto helped the Texas power grid weather a heat wave
Read full article: Limiting crypto helped the Texas power grid weather a heat waveCryptocurrency mining requires huge amounts of electricity, prompting concerns over the industry’s environmental impact — and whether the state’s grid can keep up.
Still wary of the electric grid’s reliability, some Texans complied with ERCOT’s requests to conserve power this week
Read full article: Still wary of the electric grid’s reliability, some Texans complied with ERCOT’s requests to conserve power this weekAs extreme weather becomes increasingly frequent, Texans said the power grid operator’s calls to conserve energy were a reminder the state still struggles to keep up with the growing power demand.
Texans asked to conserve energy to protect the power grid for the second time in a week
Read full article: Texans asked to conserve energy to protect the power grid for the second time in a weekTexans have been asked to turn up their thermostats and avoid using large appliances from 2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. The power grid operator said it does not expect rolling blackouts.
ERCOT asks residents to conserve electricity Wednesday amid extreme hot weather
Read full article: ERCOT asks residents to conserve electricity Wednesday amid extreme hot weatherERCOT is once again asking Texans to conserve electricity this week as hot weather continues driving record power demands across the state.
Tracking the Texas power grid - Watch ERCOT’s current grid conditions in real-time
Read full article: Tracking the Texas power grid - Watch ERCOT’s current grid conditions in real-timeThe Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which manages the state’s main power grid, has a dashboard that allows residents to track current conditions and usage.
Texas power grid hits new demand record amid extreme hot weather
Read full article: Texas power grid hits new demand record amid extreme hot weatherA new unofficial all-time peak demand record for the Texas power grid was hit Monday after officials with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas issued a Conservation Appeal.
Texans face skyrocketing home energy bills as the state exports more natural gas than ever
Read full article: Texans face skyrocketing home energy bills as the state exports more natural gas than everThe cost of electricity in Texas is tightly tied to the price of natural gas, which has more than doubled since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February.
KPRC 2 Investigates: Can the power grid handle the summer heat?
Read full article: KPRC 2 Investigates: Can the power grid handle the summer heat?Can the state's electricity grid handle all of the electricity usage during these hot summer months? Find out the scenarios that could bring rolling blackouts to your neighborhood - Plus, the role solar energy plays in all of this.
Power demand spikes during June heat wave; ERCOT says electricity supply will meet demand
Read full article: Power demand spikes during June heat wave; ERCOT says electricity supply will meet demandEROCT said the power demand surpassed 74. 9 GW on Sunday, breaking the previous record of 74. 8 GW in August 2019.
Judge Hidalgo provides update on county’s preparation for hurricane season, extreme summer weather
Read full article: Judge Hidalgo provides update on county’s preparation for hurricane season, extreme summer weatherHarris County Judge Lina Hidalgo discussed the county’s extreme heat preparedness following a meeting with officials from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the Public Utilities Commission of Texas and Harris County Emergency Management.
Texas power grid leaders say they’re confident the lights will stay on this summer
Read full article: Texas power grid leaders say they’re confident the lights will stay on this summerTexas Public Utility Commission Chair Peter Lake and ERCOT President Brad Jones said the power grid is prepared for record-breaking summer electricity demand.
‘Lights will stay on’: ERCOT, PUC confident in Texas power grid during 2022 summer season
Read full article: ‘Lights will stay on’: ERCOT, PUC confident in Texas power grid during 2022 summer seasonOfficials with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and the Public Utility Commission will hold a press conference to discuss the readiness of the Texas power grid for the 2022 summer season, according to a release.
Texas’ grid operator told a power plant to delay repairs ahead of a May heat wave. It was among six that crashed.
Read full article: Texas’ grid operator told a power plant to delay repairs ahead of a May heat wave. It was among six that crashed.Climate change and other factors are shortening the window when aging Texas power plants can make repairs to run at full strength in hot summer months.
ERCOT asks power plants to possibly cancel planned maintenance to meet demand of extreme heat anticipated this weekend
Read full article: ERCOT asks power plants to possibly cancel planned maintenance to meet demand of extreme heat anticipated this weekendERCOT has issued an Advanced Action Notice Tuesday for Texas power plants to prepare for higher than usual customer demand due to the high temperatures forecasted for Mother’s Day weekend.
Analysis: A power test for Texas voters
Read full article: Analysis: A power test for Texas votersAfter last winter’s near-statewide electric blackouts, Texas lawmakers went after regulators they deemed responsible but tiptoed around the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates oil and gas. Now voters have a chance, if they want it, to send the state a message.
How Texas’ power grid failed in 2021 — and who’s responsible for preventing a repeat
Read full article: How Texas’ power grid failed in 2021 — and who’s responsible for preventing a repeatIn the state’s power grid, electricity and natural gas are co-dependent. Here’s how the winter storm last year broke the system.
Texas’ power grid held up during last week’s winter weather. Experts say it wasn’t seriously tested.
Read full article: Texas’ power grid held up during last week’s winter weather. Experts say it wasn’t seriously tested.Experts say it’s unclear whether changes mandated by Texas lawmakers to prevent widespread power outages like those last February made a significant difference during a weaker winter storm.
Tracking the Texas power grid: Watch ERCOT’s current grid conditions in real-time
Read full article: Tracking the Texas power grid: Watch ERCOT’s current grid conditions in real-timeThe Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which manages the state’s main power grid, has a dashboard which allows residents to track current conditions and usage.
Texans’ trauma from 2021 power grid failure provoked by another winter storm
Read full article: Texans’ trauma from 2021 power grid failure provoked by another winter stormThis week’s freezing weather isn’t expected to be as severe as last year’s storm. But Texans remain anxious about the electricity grid.
A winter storm is heading to Texas. Here’s what that means for the power grid.
Read full article: A winter storm is heading to Texas. Here’s what that means for the power grid.The weather is not expected to be as severe or last as long as last year’s freeze. Texas leaders do not expect systemwide blackouts, but they have warned that local power outages are possible throughout the state.
Analysis: In Texas, cold weather brings a political chill
Read full article: Analysis: In Texas, cold weather brings a political chillThis week’s cold weather forecast triggers memories of the electricity blackouts that left millions in the dark during a polar vortex and killed hundreds of Texans last year. It’s triggering politicians’ memories, too, during the primary election.
Texas leaders warn of “treacherous” driving conditions and possible local power outages as freezing weather approaches
Read full article: Texas leaders warn of “treacherous” driving conditions and possible local power outages as freezing weather approachesGov. Greg Abbott said he could not guarantee power would stay on throughout Texas this week, just two months after he promised the lights would stay on this winter.
ERCOT issues watch for extreme cold weather, possible icing conditions for Texas area
Read full article: ERCOT issues watch for extreme cold weather, possible icing conditions for Texas areaA watch has been issued for the Texas area for an extreme cold weather event with possible icing conditions as an arctic cold front blasts through Wednesday night, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.
The 2021 winter storm caught Texans by surprise. Here’s how to prepare this year.
Read full article: The 2021 winter storm caught Texans by surprise. Here’s how to prepare this year.With the height of the winter season approaching, here are some tips to prepare an emergency kit, protect your home and stay informed.
ERCOT says they’re ready for winter as inspections reach completion amid winterization efforts
Read full article: ERCOT says they’re ready for winter as inspections reach completion amid winterization effortsTexans may not need to worry about another freeze as ERCOT, or the Electric Reliability Council of Texas said they have completed on-site inspections of mandatory winterization efforts.
Gov. Greg Abbott intervened to put a positive spin on Texas’ power grid
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott intervened to put a positive spin on Texas’ power gridHe's been heavily involved in positive public messaging about the grid’s winter readiness, but the data aren't rosy — and experts fear the grid could fail if there's another winter storm.
Analysis: Texas’ electric grid is half-ready for another winter freeze
Read full article: Analysis: Texas’ electric grid is half-ready for another winter freezeChances are, winter weather won’t be as bad as it was last February. Chances are, Texas won’t have the electric blackouts that caused so much misery then. And chances are, whatever happens will have some influence on the 2022 elections.
Texas energy regulators, gas industry try to reassure the public that the state’s power grid is ready for winter
Read full article: Texas energy regulators, gas industry try to reassure the public that the state’s power grid is ready for winterAs state regulators and the companies that power the grid take steps to avoid another catastrophe like February’s winter storm, climate experts say this winter will likely be milder.
Texas Democrats see focusing on power grid failure as a winning campaign strategy heading into 2022
Read full article: Texas Democrats see focusing on power grid failure as a winning campaign strategy heading into 2022Republican leaders defend their record on the power grid, pointing to more than a dozen laws passed during this year’s legislative session to address the grid’s reliability. Gov. Greg Abbott has staked his reputation on a promise that the lights won't go out this winter.
‘People should probably be worried’: Texas hasn’t done enough to prevent another winter blackout, experts say
Read full article: ‘People should probably be worried’: Texas hasn’t done enough to prevent another winter blackout, experts sayNatural gas powers the majority of electricity in Texas, especially during winter. Some power companies say the state’s gas system is not ready for another deep freeze.
Analysis: 2022 primary elections in Texas merit a severe weather alert
Read full article: Analysis: 2022 primary elections in Texas merit a severe weather alertNext year’s primary elections start a year after a winter storm knocked out power across Texas — and the government response to that disaster could be on voters’ minds.
More Texas voters unhappy than satisfied over power grid, abortion and property taxes, UT/TT Poll finds
Read full article: More Texas voters unhappy than satisfied over power grid, abortion and property taxes, UT/TT Poll findsMost voters approve of using state money to add border barriers between Texas and Mexico. But 57% disapprove of a new abortion law’s provision allowing lawsuits against people who help someone get the procedure.
Power companies required to better prepare plants for winter in first phase of rule approved by Texas regulators
Read full article: Power companies required to better prepare plants for winter in first phase of rule approved by Texas regulatorsThe state Public Utility Commission adopted a rule — which experts first recommended a decade ago following a winter storm — requiring power companies to use “best efforts” to ensure plants can operate in the winter.
Oil industry helped handpick members of Texas advisory group for electric grid reliability, emails show
Read full article: Oil industry helped handpick members of Texas advisory group for electric grid reliability, emails showOil and gas industry groups provided a list of names to the Railroad Commission for appointment to a council formed in response to the February power crisis. All four of the industry's top choices were selected.
Climate change is making Texas hotter, threatening public health, water supply and the state’s infrastructure
Read full article: Climate change is making Texas hotter, threatening public health, water supply and the state’s infrastructureA report from the state climatologist finds that the state is experiencing hotter days with less relief from high temperatures at night.
Texans, how do we feel? Tesla files to become state’s electricity provider
Read full article: Texans, how do we feel? Tesla files to become state’s electricity providerTexans, do you think this is a good idea? Apparently, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has filed a new subsidiary, called Tesla Energy Ventures, with the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
Texas regulators want to prepare the state’s electricity grid for extreme weather. But that’s a moving target in a warming world.
Read full article: Texas regulators want to prepare the state’s electricity grid for extreme weather. But that’s a moving target in a warming world.The state plans to use past weather data to craft rules for power plant upgrades. Scientists warn that the accelerating effects of climate change make relying on old data alone insufficient.
Texans not expected to lose power through the rest of the summer, regulators say
Read full article: Texans not expected to lose power through the rest of the summer, regulators sayThe state’s electricity regulators said they’re taking steps to assure a skeptical public that the power won’t go out again if Texas experiences extreme weather this summer.