Texas power grid manager issues weeklong conservation alert
3 years, 6 months ago

Texas power grid manager issues weeklong conservation alert

Associated Press  

DALLAS — On the cusp of summer, the electric power grid manager for most of Texas on Monday issued its second conservation alert since the deadly February blackout, calling on users to dial back energy consumption through Friday to avert an emergency. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas said many forced generation outages and record June demand has squeezed the power supply. However, as of 2:30 p.m. Monday, 12,178 megawatts of the grid’s 86,862 megawatts of generating capacity was offline, ERCOT said, leaving a razor-thin margin of reserve capacity of about 2,000 megawatts. “This is unusual for this early in the summer season.” ERCOT spokeswoman Leslie Sopko said 9,066 megawatts of the idled capacity were from steam-powered generator units fueled by gas, coal or nuclear fission.

Summer Texas Demand Electric Power Grid Ercot Megawatts Sopko Weeklong Conservation  electric  manager  weeklong  conservation  summer  peak  power  grid  alert  issues  texas  megawatts  units  demand  ercot

History of this topic

Texas launches new investigation into Houston’s power utility following deadly outages after Beryl
4 months, 1 week ago

Texas launches new investigation into Houston’s power utility following deadly outages after Beryl

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas’ attorney general launched an investigation Monday into Houston’s electric utility over allegations of fraud and waste following Hurricane Beryl, adding to the mounting scrutiny after widespread power outages left millions without electricity for days. Greg Abbott have also demanded answers about storm preparations and the response to Beryl, a Category 1 hurricane that knocked out power …

Texas governor criticizes Houston energy as utility says power will be mostly restored by Wednesday
5 months, 1 week ago

Texas governor criticizes Houston energy as utility says power will be mostly restored by Wednesday

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — The majority of Houston outages that followed Hurricane Beryl should be fixed within the next two days, the city’s main utility company said Monday as Texas Gov. The Texas Public Utility Commission, the state’s regulatory agency, announced Monday it had launched an investigation Abbott demanded into CenterPoint’s storm preparation and response as hundreds of thousands of residents …

Texas governor criticizes Houston energy as utility says power will be restored by Wednesday
5 months, 1 week ago

Texas governor criticizes Houston energy as utility says power will be restored by Wednesday

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The majority of Houston outages …

Millions of Texans still lack power as temperatures climb
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Millions of Texans still lack power as temperatures climb

Raw Story  

"Millions of Texans still lack power as temperatures climb" was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. 1 priority, officials emphasized during a Tuesday press briefing in Galveston County, where at least 45% of people still lack power, based …

Millions of Texans still lack power as temperatures climb
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Millions of Texans still lack power as temperatures climb

Raw Story  

"Millions of Texans still lack power as temperatures climb" was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Millions of Texans remain without power Tuesday as temperatures warm into the 90s and the heat index is projected to push past …

Deadly heat wave in the central US strains infrastructure, transportation and the Texas power grid
1 year, 4 months ago

Deadly heat wave in the central US strains infrastructure, transportation and the Texas power grid

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Deadly heat that has gripped Texas for much of the summer has spread into other parts of the central U.S. this week where it is forecast to stay for days, with triple-digit temperatures buckling roads, straining water systems and threatening the power grid of the nation’s energy capitol. The heat is expected to become “dangerous to the …

A blistering heat wave is turning up the pressure on Texas’ power grid
1 year, 5 months ago

A blistering heat wave is turning up the pressure on Texas’ power grid

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — On another 100-degree day in Texas, Sean Whitaker lingered outside a Dallas cafe after polishing off an iced coffee, having switched off the power to everything back home except his refrigerator. As an unrelenting heat wave grips Texas for a second week, public appeals to stay hydrated and limit outdoor activities have come with another ask of …

Sweltering heat tests Texas’ power grid and patience as thousands in South still without electricity
1 year, 6 months ago

Sweltering heat tests Texas’ power grid and patience as thousands in South still without electricity

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas’ power grid operator asked residents Tuesday to voluntarily cut back on electricity due to anticipated record demand on the system as a heat wave kept large swaths of the state and southern U.S. in triple-digit temperatures. “The delay in restoring power has caused significant hardship for their customers and it is unacceptable,” said Brent Bailey, a …

Facing heat wave, Texas’ power grid operator asks customers to cut electricity use
1 year, 6 months ago

Facing heat wave, Texas’ power grid operator asks customers to cut electricity use

LA Times  

A man takes advantage of the shade Tuesday in a playground in the Hungry Hill neighborhood of Austin, Texas. Sweltering heat across the South came amid outages caused by weekend storms and tornadoes, and threatened to overload Texas’ power grid. Texas’ power grid operator asked residents Tuesday to voluntarily cut back on electricity due to anticipated record demand on the …

Power outages continue across southern US; triple-digit heat wave grips Texas
1 year, 6 months ago

Power outages continue across southern US; triple-digit heat wave grips Texas

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy More than 100,000 customers in …

Texas paid Bitcoin company $175k to stop using energy an hour during fatal 2021 winter blackout
1 year, 8 months ago

Texas paid Bitcoin company $175k to stop using energy an hour during fatal 2021 winter blackout

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors …

Austin’s city manager fired over widespread power outages
1 year, 10 months ago

Austin’s city manager fired over widespread power outages

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Austin’s city manager was fired Wednesday in the wake of outrage over a slow and fumbled response to a winter storm power outage that left thousands of people in the Texas capital without electricity for a week or longer. The 10-1 vote by the Austin City Council to remove Spencer Cronk, the city’s top executive, followed growing …

Winter chill brings power outages and travel issues to US south
1 year, 10 months ago

Winter chill brings power outages and travel issues to US south

Al Jazeera  

Winter weather has resulted in at least two deaths in the state of Texas and more than 1,600 flight cancellations. “Please, STAY HOME AND OFF THE ROADS, give space heaters plenty of space, never use your oven to stay warm, and keep generators outside.” Since midnight, we've responded to 90+ accidents, including 3 w/our own units! Please, STAY HOME AND …

Texas power grid at risk again this winter: watchdog
2 years, 1 month ago

Texas power grid at risk again this winter: watchdog

Raw Story  

At least 246 Texans died when the power grid the state depended on failed after being battered by three February 2021 winter storms. That Texas grid and the Texans who count on it for heat and light, are in for another rough, wild winter according to a trusted energy watchdog that warned of those 2021 dangers. "A large portion of …

Texas energy grid expects surging demand as temperatures rise
2 years, 6 months ago

Texas energy grid expects surging demand as temperatures rise

Al Jazeera  

With temperatures rising to nearly 39 C, Texas energy provider states it will have enough supply to match record demand. In the face of economic growth and surging temperatures that cause increased air conditioner use, Texas broke previous power demand records for the month of June earlier this week. In February 2021, freezing temperatures hobbled energy generation and ERCOT struggled …

Texans told to conserve energy as six power plants go offline amid heatwave
2 years, 7 months ago

Texans told to conserve energy as six power plants go offline amid heatwave

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The operator of the main power grid for the state of Texas has asked residents …

Threats to Texas power supply from new deep freeze
2 years, 11 months ago

Threats to Texas power supply from new deep freeze

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Just over a fortnight ago, the first Arctic blast of the year crippled numerous gas wells and processing plants, …

Analysis: Texas’ electric grid is half-ready for another winter freeze
3 years ago

Analysis: Texas’ electric grid is half-ready for another winter freeze

Raw Story  

You never hear politicians promise that hurricanes and tornadoes won’t hurt you, that you won’t get wet when it rains, that protracted heat waves won’t endanger anyone or that urban fires are no threat during droughts. But after the storm that left Texans across the state freezing in the dark last February, the state’s leaders are promising now that the …

New Texas rules after blackout, but not for this winter
3 years ago

New Texas rules after blackout, but not for this winter

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Regulators of Texas’ oil and gas industry that buckled during February’s deadly freeze moved Tuesday toward making some producers more prepared for cold weather, but not in time for this winter as the nation’s power grid monitor warned the state is still at risk of blackouts. “It is not simply a get-out-of-jail-free card,” said Matt Garner, an …

Report: Texas still at risk of winter power blackouts
3 years, 1 month ago

Report: Texas still at risk of winter power blackouts

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas is still at risk of power blackouts this winter in the event of extreme weather like the catastrophic February storm that buckled the state’s electrical grid and left millions of people without heat for days, the nation’s grid monitor said Thursday. “The concern is certainly sufficient,” said John Moura, director of reliability assessment at the North …

Grid operators in California and Texas brace for record heat
3 years, 6 months ago

Grid operators in California and Texas brace for record heat

Al Jazeera  

With temps forecast to reach 42C, grid operators have asked residents to cut back on power use to avoid blackouts. Electric grid operators in California and Texas are struggling to keep up with crushing demand for power this week as a sprawling heat wave smothers the western U.S. Heat watches and warnings stretch for more than 1,500 miles, from Northern …

Texas governor says power grid fixed; experts cite problems
3 years, 6 months ago

Texas governor says power grid fixed; experts cite problems

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Despite experts who say Texas’ power grid remains vulnerable, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott declared Tuesday that new reforms “fix all of the flaws” that caused February’s deadly winter blackout that left more than 4 million people without power in subfreezing weather. He went on to add, “Bottom line is that everything that needed to be done was …

Texas’ fix after blackout doesn’t dwell on climate change
3 years, 6 months ago

Texas’ fix after blackout doesn’t dwell on climate change

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas’ biggest fix to February’s deadly winter blackout that left more than 4 million people without power puts new attention on projections by the state’s climatologist but does not dwell on climate change after a deep freeze buckled the state’s unprepared electric grid. “Obviously, we have to be able to operate during those type of situations,” said …

Texas missing chance to avert deadly blackouts, experts say
3 years, 6 months ago

Texas missing chance to avert deadly blackouts, experts say

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Elzie Ford lost power in his freezing home for nearly a week during February’s catastrophic blackouts in Texas. Three months later, Texas’ first pass at a fix is almost out of time: Only days remain for state lawmakers to make good on promised overhauls following one of the largest power outages in U.S. history, when more than …

Despite normal spring, Texas electric grid seeks power boost
3 years, 8 months ago

Despite normal spring, Texas electric grid seeks power boost

Associated Press  

DALLAS — The electric grid manager for most of Texas issued an electricity conservation watch Tuesday, appealing to customers to conserve electricity despite weather conditions typical for spring. It blames “a combination of high generation outages typical in April and higher-than-forecasted demand from a stalled cold front over Texas,” in a statement Tuesday by Woody Rickerson, vice president of grid …

Reforms to Texas’ energy grid begin moving after blackout
3 years, 8 months ago

Reforms to Texas’ energy grid begin moving after blackout

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas’ power grid that buckled during February’s deadly winter storm would operate under new oversight and require power plants to prepare for more extreme weather under overhauls that moved closer to Republican Gov. Six weeks after more than 100 people died in subfreezing weather in Texas, including many of hypothermia, both the GOP-controlled House and Senate have …

Last Texas power regulator from February blackouts resigns
3 years, 9 months ago

Last Texas power regulator from February blackouts resigns

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — The last Texas regulator on the Public Utility Commission at the time of the deadly February blackouts has resigned, Gov. In a statement issued Tuesday night, Abbott said he had asked for and accepted the resignation of Arthur D’Andrea, the last remaining member of the Public Utility Commission of Texas. Abbott, a Republican, had blamed the power …

Another Texas regulator resigns following February blackouts
3 years, 9 months ago

Another Texas regulator resigns following February blackouts

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Another Texas utility regulator appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott resigned Monday following the deadly February blackouts that left millions of people without electricity or heat for days. She is the second commissioner to leave, joining former Chairwoman DeAnn Walker, who resigned last week. The commission is responsible for regulating the Texas power grid and is under intensifying …

Texas power grid CEO fired after deadly February blackouts
3 years, 9 months ago

Texas power grid CEO fired after deadly February blackouts

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas’ power grid manager was fired Wednesday amid growing calls for his ouster following February’s deadly blackouts that left millions of people without electricity and heat for days in subfreezing temperatures. Bill Magness, CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, becomes the second senior official to depart in the wake of the one of the worst …

Texas power company seeks bankruptcy protection after storm
3 years, 9 months ago

Texas power company seeks bankruptcy protection after storm

Associated Press  

The largest and oldest power cooperative in Texas is filing for bankruptcy protection, citing last month’s winter storm that left millions without power, and it is unlikely to be the last utility to seek shelter in the courts. It said it received excessively high invoices from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, which operates the state power grid, …

Texas top utility regulator quits in fallout over blackouts
3 years, 9 months ago

Texas top utility regulator quits in fallout over blackouts

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas’ top utilities regulator resigned Monday in the widening fallout from blackouts triggered by an unusually heavy and widespread winter storm that left millions in the state without power and water for days. She resigned the same day Texas’ largest and oldest power cooperative announced it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and as the state’s …

It's Not Just Texas. The Entire Energy Grid Needs An Upgrade For Extreme Weather
3 years, 9 months ago

It's Not Just Texas. The Entire Energy Grid Needs An Upgrade For Extreme Weather

NPR  

It's Not Just Texas. The Entire Energy Grid Needs An Upgrade For Extreme Weather Enlarge this image toggle caption John Antczak/AP John Antczak/AP The Texas blackout is another reminder that more frequent, climate-driven extreme weather puts stress on the country's electricity grid. Sponsor Message "We planned this grid for Ozzie and Harriet weather and we are now facing Mad Max," …

The Power Is Back On In Texas. Now Comes The Recovery, And It Won't Be Cheap
3 years, 9 months ago

The Power Is Back On In Texas. Now Comes The Recovery, And It Won't Be Cheap

NPR  

The Power Is Back On In Texas. Now Comes The Recovery, And It Won't Be Cheap Enlarge this image toggle caption Thomas Shea/AFP via Getty Images Thomas Shea/AFP via Getty Images For Texas, it's looking like a daunting power bill. The state could spend years paying down those costs — costs that many experts say were avoidable had Texas taken …

Blackouts bring up ‘a four-letter word’ in Texas: regulation
3 years, 9 months ago

Blackouts bring up ‘a four-letter word’ in Texas: regulation

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — All the groceries spoiled and the water was out for days. That leaves Texas little time to make last week’s plunge into freezing darkness that touched nearly all of the state’s 30 million residents one way or another — including grocery shelves left bare and miles of busted water pipes — produce tougher regulations that the state’s …

Republicans defend energy deregulation as new report says Texas consumers overpay by $28 billion for power
3 years, 10 months ago

Republicans defend energy deregulation as new report says Texas consumers overpay by $28 billion for power

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. And the only way you can get a baseload in this country is natural …

Top Texas power officials to quit after millions endure freezing temperatures when grid failed
3 years, 10 months ago

Top Texas power officials to quit after millions endure freezing temperatures when grid failed

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Top power officials in …

Texas Republicans Prioritized Nonsense Over Winterizing The Energy Grid
3 years, 10 months ago

Texas Republicans Prioritized Nonsense Over Winterizing The Energy Grid

Huff Post  

Texas' incoming Lt. Gov. In perhaps the most emblematic episode of Texas Republicans’ tendency to elevate phantom problems over real ones, legislators finished the 2017 session without taking action on a must-pass sunset bill to keep several state agencies from shutting down. “Texas has been in the hands of people who don’t believe in government in the first place,” former …

Power failure: How a winter storm pushed Texas into crisis
3 years, 10 months ago

Power failure: How a winter storm pushed Texas into crisis

Associated Press  

HOUSTON — Two days before the storm began, Houston’s chief elected official warned her constituents to prepare as they would for a major hurricane. As temperatures plunged and snow and ice whipped the state, much of Texas’ power grid collapsed, followed by its water systems. “What’s not manageable is to lose your power for days with a temperature in the …

Power failure: How a winter storm pushed Texas into crisis
3 years, 10 months ago

Power failure: How a winter storm pushed Texas into crisis

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. But standing in the emergency operations center early Monday, …

The Texas freeze: Why the power grid failed
3 years, 10 months ago

The Texas freeze: Why the power grid failed

Live Mint  

A fundamental flaw in the freewheeling Texas electricity market left millions powerless and freezing in the dark this week during a historic cold snap. A severe storm paralyzed almost every energy source, from power plants to wind turbines, because their owners hadn’t made the investments needed to produce electricity in subfreezing temperatures. Another problem emerged: Some power plants lost their …

Texas governor’s biggest donors: Energy industry that failed
3 years, 10 months ago

Texas governor’s biggest donors: Energy industry that failed

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — As frozen Texas reels under one of the worst electricity outages in U.S. history, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has blamed grid operators and iced-over wind turbines but gone easier on another culprit: an oil and gas industry that is the state’s dominant business and his biggest political contributor. Like most of the state’s 30 million residents, Talarico’s …

Texas power grid was 'seconds and minutes' from months of total collapse
3 years, 10 months ago

Texas power grid was 'seconds and minutes' from months of total collapse

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Officials with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas …

Texas’ electrical grid wasn’t prepared for the storm. Other states’ systems aren’t prepared either
3 years, 10 months ago

Texas’ electrical grid wasn’t prepared for the storm. Other states’ systems aren’t prepared either

CNN  

New York CNN Business — The blackouts that shut down most of Texas for much of this week could be coming to other parts of the country in the future. Climate change is unfortunately already having a dramatic effect on our weather,” Richard Glick, the new chairman of FERC, said at the agency’s monthly meeting Thursday. “The challenges that climate …

Texas crisis has governor facing big backer: energy industry
3 years, 10 months ago

Texas crisis has governor facing big backer: energy industry

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — As frozen Texas reels under one of the worst electricity outages in U.S. history, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has blamed grid operators and iced-over wind turbines but gone easier on another culprit: an oil and gas industry that is the state’s dominant business and his biggest political contributor. Like most of the state’s 30 million residents, Talarico’s …

Calls for Texas Governor Greg Abbott to step down over power chaos
3 years, 10 months ago

Calls for Texas Governor Greg Abbott to step down over power chaos

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Texas’ top Democratic has called on the state’s Republican governor …

The crisis in Texas underscores the deadly risks when the grid goes down
3 years, 10 months ago

The crisis in Texas underscores the deadly risks when the grid goes down

Salon  

On Monday night, every patient that pediatrician Phillip Scott admitted to the Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, was suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. The energy crisis in Texas underscores the deadly risks communities face when the grid goes down, which will happen more often as the occurrence of extreme weather events increases due to climate change. According to …

Why the power grid failed in Texas and beyond
3 years, 10 months ago

Why the power grid failed in Texas and beyond

LA Times  

The power outages tormenting Texas in uncharacteristically arctic temperatures are exposing weaknesses in an electricity system designed when the weather’s seasonal shifts were more consistent and predictable — conditions that most experts believe no longer exist. The gap between the winter and summer supply reflects power plants going offline for maintenance during months when demand typically is less intense and …

EXPLAINER: Why the power grid failed in Texas and beyond
3 years, 10 months ago

EXPLAINER: Why the power grid failed in Texas and beyond

Associated Press  

DALLAS — The power outages tormenting Texas in uncharacteristically Arctic temperatures are exposing weaknesses in an electricity system designed when the weather’s seasonal shifts were more consistent and predictable — conditions that most experts believe no longer exist. The gap between the winter and summer supply reflects power plants going offline for maintenance during months when demand typically is less …

Power Outages Linger For Millions As Another Icy Storm Looms
3 years, 10 months ago

Power Outages Linger For Millions As Another Icy Storm Looms

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING AUSTIN, Texas — Utility crews raced Wednesday to restore power to nearly 3.4 million customers around the U.S. who were still without electricity in the aftermath of a deadly winter storm, and another blast of ice and snow threatened to sow more chaos. Texas’ power grid manager, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, said electricity had been …

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