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 now passed sweeping reforms that lawmakers say would prevent a repeat of the widespread blackouts that spiraled into one of the worst power outages in U.S. history. But what we experienced was it wasn’t that easy to turn the lights back on.” Managers of the state’s embattled power grid, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, have said the outages were necessary to avert an even more catastrophic blackout that could have lasted weeks. Several ERCOT board members did not live in Texas — fueling outrage during the blackouts — which lawmakers say they will no longer allow under bill that would also give state leaders the power to appoint new members.

Outages Blackout Natural Gas Ercot Energy Grid Texas Power  blackout  natural  energy  grid  reforms  winter  outages  texas  power  bill  blackouts  weather  state  moving  weeks  begin

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 senators grill utility executives about massive power failure after Hurricane Beryl
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Texas senators grill utility executives about massive power failure after Hurricane Beryl

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — The top executive of Houston’s power utility told lawmakers Monday the company would lose momentum on changes after Hurricane Beryl if he resigned over the prolonged and deadly power outages that followed the storm plowing this month onto the Texas coast. “I take personal accountability for not meeting our customer’s expectations during Hurricane Beryl,” Jason Wells, CenterPoint …

Heat-related Texas deaths climb after Beryl left millions without power for days or longer
5 months ago

Heat-related Texas deaths climb after Beryl left millions without power for days or longer

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 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. Almost two weeks after Beryl …

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 …

Dangerous heat threatens millions of Texans without power for days in largest outage in utility’s history
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Dangerous heat threatens millions of Texans without power for days in largest outage in utility’s history

CNN  

CNN — Life-threatening heat is gripping southeast Texas, where more than 1.5 million homes and businesses remain without power and air conditioning for a third day after Beryl caused major power outages, including the largest in one major energy provider’s history. “We have never seen an incident of this magnitude – this is the largest outage in our history,” Brad …

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 …

Widespread power outages from deadly Houston storm raise new risk: hot weather
7 months ago

Widespread power outages from deadly Houston storm raise new risk: hot weather

Hindustan Times  

HOUSTON — As the Houston area works to clean up and restore power to thousands after deadly storms, it will do so Saturday under a smog warning and as all of southern Texas starts to feel the heat. Widespread power outages from deadly Houston storm raise new risk: hot weather The National Weather Service in Houston warned that with temperatures …

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 …

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

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — More than 300,000 customers in the southern U.S. remained without power Monday following damaging weekend storms, leaving residents searching for relief as sweltering temperatures continued to scorch the region. About 165,000 customers around the city still had no power Monday as crews scrambled to repair more than 700 broken poles and downed wires, said Amy Brown, a …

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 …

Texas power woes linger as Arctic air heads for New England
1 year, 10 months ago

Texas power woes linger as Arctic air heads for New England

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 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 {{ …

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 …

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 …

Huge US winter storm leaves more than 330,000 without power
2 years, 10 months ago

Huge US winter storm leaves more than 330,000 without power

Al Jazeera  

The storm brought snow and freezing rain to states that rarely see it, caused road crashes and disrupted air travel. A winter storm that dumped sleet and heavy snow on a wide swath of the central United States this week has left hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses without power. More than 330,000 customers were without power from Texas, …

Texas electricity prices spike with cold front set to test grid
2 years, 10 months ago

Texas electricity prices spike with cold front set to test grid

Al Jazeera  

Demand on the grid operated by Texas’s Electric Reliability Council is forecast to peak at 71,806 megawatts on February 4. Texas electricity prices surged to more than $1,000 a megawatt-hour for Friday when demand is forecast to hit a winter record in the biggest test since extreme cold and blackouts killed hundreds almost a year ago. A massive storm set …

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, …

REVEALED: Gov. Greg Abbott intervened to put a positive spin on Texas' power grid
2 years, 11 months ago

REVEALED: Gov. Greg Abbott intervened to put a positive spin on Texas' power grid

Raw Story  

The two most powerful people overseeing Texas’ electric grid sat next to each other in a quickly arranged Austin news conference in early December to try to assure Texans that the state’s electricity supply was prepared for winter. Two weeks earlier, Abbott had told Austin’s Fox 7 News that he “can guarantee the lights will stay on.” The press conference …

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 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 …

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 …

Texas death toll from February storm, outages surpasses 100
3 years, 8 months ago

Texas death toll from February storm, outages surpasses 100

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas officials on Thursday raised the death toll from February’s winter storm and blackouts to at least 111 people — nearly doubling the state’s initial tally following one of the worst power outages in U.S. history. And the dramatic number of new victims is still a potential undercount, as officials continue investigating deaths that happened around the …

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 …

AG sues Texas utility over customers’ sky-high energy bills
3 years, 9 months ago

AG sues Texas utility over customers’ sky-high energy bills

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas’ attorney general said Monday he’s suing electricity provider Griddy for passing along massive bills to its customers during last month’s winter storm. But when temperatures plummeted well below freezing last month, wholesale prices spiked and Griddy customers were left with sky-high electricity bills. “As Texans struggled to survive this winter storm, Griddy made the suffering even …

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 …

‘Who is at fault?’ Investigation into Texas blackout begins
3 years, 9 months ago

‘Who is at fault?’ Investigation into Texas blackout begins

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — The catastrophic Texas blackout was a wider failure than the state’s power grid, which teetered on the brink of an even bigger collapse during a freeze that knocked out electricity to 4 million customers, energy executives said Thursday. Abbott has zeroed in almost singularly on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, accusing the state’s embattled grid operator …

‘Read the fine print’: Texas lieutenant governor blames Texans for high storm energy bills
3 years, 9 months ago

‘Read the fine print’: Texas lieutenant governor blames Texans for high storm energy bills

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 The lieutenant governor of Texas has blamed the state’s hard-hit …

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 …

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 …

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