Report Raises Concerns About Texas' Electricity Supply
Some Texans could face blackouts in 10 years as a result of electricity shortages, according to a report released Tuesday by the power grid operator for most of the state.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas’ report on its long-term outlook forecasts that by 2022, Texas will need more electricity during peak hours than it can generate. Peak hours are when the most electricity is used, usually between 3 and 7 p.m. in the hottest days of summer. The report did not specify how often and where blackouts might occur.
“To ensure future electric reliability in the ERCOT region ...
Comments (4)
Carolyn Moon via Texas Tribune on Facebook
They say this every year trying to get us to like coal pollution
Colin Meehan
A few thoughts:
In their May 1 SARA report, ERCOT projected a reserve margin level of 8.5% for 2012 . Their latest report has that increasing next year to 14% and going back to 9.8% the following year. Seems like some very contradictory projections, particularly considering the fact that according to their own statements they expect temperatures and economic growth to continue to rise in Texas.
Additionally, I believe ERCOT still only counts wind energy at 8% of total capacity despite the fact that coastal wind produces most when it's needed, so the 2,000 MW of coastal wind energy they discuss in their press release are only considered 160MW for reliability purposes. Expecting the mothballed capacity to continue in service for another full year seems unlikely as does the prospect that the court stay of the "good neighbor" pollution rule will still be in effect a year from now.
Rudy Gonzales
ERCOT has failed grossly their responsibility to the people of Texas, along with Rick Perry and the Texas Legislature. Higher electricity rates should never have occurred as Texas has known for over ten years that Texas would have to comply with EPA Clean Air Act. And yet Texas allowed Coal burning plants to be built, when gas prices had and have been going down. Rates are based on Gas rates and that has been going down. Rates should be going down. Rick Perry and the Pansy-Wansy Legislature have gone against the federal government as if they don't have any rights to have any say in the "Clean Air Act." Every TEA-Republican politician in Austin is culpable and responsible for this increase. Fire every TEA-Republican in Austin who voted to go against the federal government's "Clean Air Act." The coal plants that have gone up should be converted at the expense of the owners who knew better.
Viola Perry
TXU paid their departing CEO 65 millions and then they are near bankruptcy. Someone please hold them accountable for mismanagement. I want to point out that Germany capped their electricity rate at 3 cents. How can they do it and we,with the highest rate, cannot function? Import qualified people then just as the government/corporations bring in foreign workers, engineers, etc. on HB-1 Visas and puts our own out of jobs.