In the state’s power grid, electricity and natural gas are co-dependent. Here’s how the winter storm last year broke the system.
Winter Storm 2021
As Texas faced record-low temperatures in February 2021 and snow and ice made roads impassable, the state’s electric grid operator lost control of the power supply, leaving millions without access to electricity. As the blackouts extended from hours to days, top state lawmakers called for investigations into the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, and Texans demanded accountability for the disaster. The Texas Tribune covered the impact of the storm in real time and continues to bring accountability coverage as officials address the issues exposed by the storm.
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Winter Storm 2021
One of the hundreds of Texans who died in the 2021 winter storm was a Lubbock ex-hippie with a “brilliant, magical mind”
A year ago next week, a winter storm devastated Texas. The family members of one storm victim say her adventurous life shouldn’t have ended by freezing to death in an assisted living facility.
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“I’m still trying to recover”: Some Texans are still bearing the brunt of the 2021 winter storm
Last February’s winter storm left millions of Texans without power for days in subfreezing temperatures. Watch how one family whose home suffered extensive damage is preparing for the next round of cold weather.
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Guides
The 2021 winter storm caught Texans by surprise. Here’s how to prepare this year.
With the height of the winter season approaching, here are some tips to prepare an emergency kit, protect your home and stay informed.
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Winter Storm 2021
Texas natural gas production dropped during recent cold front, reviving concerns about electric grid
Energy experts said the production drop during a relatively ordinary cold front could be a bad sign for the grid if the state is struck by extreme winter weather again.
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Winter Storm 2021
Texas puts final estimate of winter storm death toll at 246
Officials added 36 to the estimate of lives lost in the disaster, which knocked out power in much of the state. Some experts place the toll even higher.
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Winter Storm 2021
Gov. Greg Abbott intervened to put a positive spin on Texas’ power grid
He’s been heavily involved in positive public messaging about the grid’s winter readiness, but the data aren’t rosy — and experts fear the grid could fail if there’s another winter storm.
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Winter Storm 2021
Texas electricity regulators say most power generation facilities are ready for winter. That alone won’t stop a blackout.
In the first status report of how electricity companies are preparing for winter, electric regulators expressed confidence in improvements made since February’s deadly storm. But the changes address only part of the power grid supply chain.
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Winter Storm 2021
Analysis: Texas’ electric grid is half-ready for another winter freeze
Chances are, winter weather won’t be as bad as it was last February. Chances are, Texas won’t have the electric blackouts that caused so much misery then. And chances are, whatever happens will have some influence on the 2022 elections.
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Winter Storm 2021
Texas energy regulators, gas industry try to reassure the public that the state’s power grid is ready for winter
As state regulators and the companies that power the grid take steps to avoid another catastrophe like February’s winter storm, climate experts say this winter will likely be milder.