In the wake of the horrific winter storm in February 2021 that exposed the frightening fragility of Texas’s power grid, much has been written about the failures of ERCOT and Republican leadership to weatherize and strengthen the state’s electrical system for cold...
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back to archivePower grid jitters brings public infighting among top Republicans
Two of Texas’ top Republicans are airing out their dirty laundry in print. In a Texas Tribune report breaking down how the power grid failure will play an important role for candidates in 2022, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan take pot...
ERCOT report shows failing power grid isn’t just a talking point
More and more Democratic candidates are kicking off their campaigns with Winter Storm Uri and Texas’ rickety power grid as the focus of their messaging. Just in time to back up those arguments, a new analysis by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas...
Op-Ed: Mother Nature won’t wait for us to improve our power grid
Hurricane Ida’s wrath is a disaster no one wanted to witness or experience, bringing widespread flooding and wind damage, destruction of homes and businesses, and loss of life. Compounding these problems are power grid failures like those in New Orleans. These...
Federal regulators urge tougher rules for Texas power grid
Federal officials released more than two dozen recommendations on Wednesday aimed at preventing the Texas electrical grid from failing again as it did in February. The blackouts, which were the result of freezing temperatures wrought by Winter Storm Uri, left millions...
“The Disconnect” explores the Texas grid’s February failure in stunning fashion
On the evening of February 14, Mose Buchele stepped outside of his Austin home to take in the first wave of heavy snowfall that night. An energy and environment reporter for KUT (Austin’s NPR station), Buchele instinctively began recording a video of the...
Gov. Greg Abbot reveals special session agenda — with no power grid fixes
On Wednesday, Gov. Greg Abbott revealed his priority items and agenda for the special legislative session set to begin Thursday. It includes much of the controversial legislation that did not come to pass the last session, including changes to election law, more...
Texas Legislature kicks off hearings over grid failure
Lawmakers in the Texas Legislature held joint hearings in the state Senate and House on Thursday to get to the bottom of what happened during last week’s snowstorm and subsequent blackout. Among the first to testify to members of the House were NRG Energy CEO...
The Texas Blackouts are a reminder that America needs to modernize the grid
Last week’s disaster is a stark reminder that modern civilization is very dependent on electricity. Many issues were unique to the Lone Star State such as the lack of winterization or the isolated, deregulated nature of Texas’ grid. But grid problems are not unique to...
Congress demands answers from Abbott over grid failure
Democrats on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, including Reps. Marc Veasey of Dallas and Lizzie Fletcher of Houston, are conducting a probe into Gov. Greg Abbott and why Texas’ electrical grid was unprepared to handle last week’s snowstorm. In a recent...