/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Mitchell_Ferman_EG_TT_01.jpg)
Mitchell Ferman is a reporter for The Texas Tribune covering energy and the economy from a base in Houston. Before joining the Tribune he was a reporter for The Monitor in McAllen, where he covered cross-border trade, politics and the city of McAllen. He also regularly freelanced from the Rio Grande Valley and beyond for The New York Times, Texas Monthly and Reuters, writing about topics including the family separation crisis and unexpected consequences of the border wall. He graduated from the University of Missouri.
Many local officials and business leaders along the border say that the rhetoric is misplaced and that the broader needs of their communities can often get lost. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2cab52681b68c42ae0a0c48f21858227/Rio%20Grande%20City%20RGV%20Development%20JG%20TT%2001.jpg)
A number of power plants were inexplicably offline at the same time that Texas was experiencing record June demand for electricity. ERCOT officials are still working to determine why. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/acc3cee734ba2d72014bd6ab2e2012a9/Austin%20Power%20Plant%20EG%20TT%2001.jpg)
The state’s grid operator indicated that conditions are improving and said that power outages to residents are unlikely. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bc33bb50fc45d47bf5da63994754375c/Austin%20Power%20Plant%20EG%20TT%2015.jpg)
While lawmakers took significant steps toward preventing another blackout, hardly any of the proposals passed during this legislative session will aid consumers in recovering from the February storm — but they’ll see higher utility bills. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/22fff647676e619f70ac30624b3d8674/Decker%20Creek%20Power%20Station%20JV%20TT%2001.jpg)
The Texas House and Senate both approved negotiated versions of Senate Bill 2 and Senate Bill 3, the two sweeping bills to change the state’s power grid and the people who oversee it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9ba811910089b1c18dd6756437176c62/San%20Marcos%20Winter%20Storm%20JV%20TT%2013.jpg)
Several billions of dollars in state-approved financing will be necessary to stabilize the state’s distressed energy market after the winter storm. Texas approves more in finance bailouts for its utilities than any other state. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/120f80cda439cd42c625fb6ed66de545/ATX%20Winter%20Storm%20SF%20TT%2020.jpg)
The Texas House for hours on Sunday debated its proposal to better prepare for extreme weather. The chambers have a little more than a week to wrap up remaining work. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8adf60957743ee765f75f74ea3ed3718/ATX%20Winter%20Storm%20EL%20TT%2014)
The extra $300 federal benefit will end June 26 for jobless Texans. Abbott also cut off another federal benefit that extended aid to gig workers, self-employed people and others who aren’t traditionally covered by unemployment insurance. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/149a47bcdd9a12f0376aba30f3b5feda/Abbott%20State%20of%20the%20State%202021%20BD%20Pool%2001.jpg)
Time is running out on a slate of other bills lawmakers are considering that stem from February's deadly winter storm. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/79245d4f5d570303189894376c90277c/Lisa%20Chumley%20-%20High%20Bills%20ST%20TT%2004.jpg)
Twitter sued the attorney general Ken Paxton following his launch of an investigation into the social media platform after it suspended President Donald Trump’s account. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e4bad68d1ddc458ba5a2f015da78fb77/Ken%20Paxton%20Red%20State%202014%20CN%20TT%2002.jpg)
State lawmakers are now trying to change the way ERCOT is governed by requiring members to live in Texas and giving more board seats to political appointees — changes that experts say may do little to improve the power grid. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4b853814e0d36d6e94e1e9f149f62fc8/ATX%20Snowstorm%20Drone%20MG%20TT%2006.jpg)
In the weeks since the winter storm, both the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and the Public Utility Commission, the regulatory body that oversees it, have been lambasted for failures in preparing for and responding to the storm. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4f8db9b2e602c5dfe8255f19aff8b720/ERCOT%20Command%20Center%20REUTERS%20TT%2001.jpg)
As lawmakers advance bills targeting renewable energy sources, experts call the efforts “discriminatory” and “politically motivated.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/26462eafe44174d8a01638a6eade86eb/Wind%20Turbines%20Permian%20Basin%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
Revenue for 10 emergency power plants would come from a monthly charge on Texans’ power bills. The proposal is just one of several bills lawmakers are considering after February's massive power outages. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2ffb3b1f7c48bd6a6e16d0215a5d852d/ATX%20Winter%20Storm%20JV%20Feb%2016%20TT%2036.jpg)
The state's grid operator included extreme weather scenarios in its early summer assessment and found that a combination of a severe drought, heat wave and low winds could lead to more power outages. Experts warn this summer could be hot and dry, enhanced by climate change. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a31d9ccb0d4122417d85ab61e928da41/Drought%20Fires%20Lake%20Travis%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
A higher than expected amount of plant outages for maintenance created tight conditions for Texas' power grid. It returned to normal late Tuesday evening. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/013aaca3f8b4cc2b217bafbed730cda0/ERCOT%20Command%20Center%20REUTERS%20TT%2002.jpg)
Members of the Texas Railroad Commission were quick to blame renewable energy for power outages across the state. All sources of energy struggled to produce power during the storm. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/750ff833178507892c33f392711c6c35/RBJ%20Center%20Storm%20MM%20TT%2024.jpg)
Will McAdams has also worked as an aide to three state senators. He must be confirmed by the Senate before taking the position at the Public Utility Commission. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5eac2ae67fdfd9ee7777b037ec3eb66a/Will%20McAdams%20TT.jpg)
Some say lawmakers should go further to ensure power plants can withstand increased weather due to climate change. And they worry that much of the legislation advancing will be up to the Public Utility Commission to enforce. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b8da421c20c1e7e3243690be188a359f/Winter%20Storm%20Day%20Five%20JV%20TT%2010.jpg)
It is unclear who would be helped or hurt — and by how much — if lawmakers try to revise electricity market prices charged during the winter storm. Full Story