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.
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
Wind power a smaller contributor to Texas electricity crisis than initially estimated, ERCOT analysis shows
An updated analysis of the Texas power crisis shows lost natural gas power generation was the most significant component of the February outages.
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Winter Storm 2021
ERCOT names new, temporary leader two months after deadly winter storm
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.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas House targets power grid flaw that cut electricity to natural gas facilities and worsened February blackouts
The lower chamber gave initial approval Monday to a series of bills responding to this year’s catastrophic power outages during a deadly winter storm.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Despite natural gas failures during winter storm, Texas lawmakers target renewable energy in the aftermath
As lawmakers advance bills targeting renewable energy sources, experts call the efforts “discriminatory” and “politically motivated.”
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas energy companies push back against Berkshire Hathaway’s $8 billion plan for backup power
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.
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Winter Storm 2021
ERCOT to argue it is immune from winter storm lawsuits
Nearly two dozen lawsuits allege that failures by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the operator of the state’s main power grid, led to the wrongful death of a family member.
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Winter Storm 2021
John Cornyn and Eddie Bernice Johnson jointly file legislation to help weatherize Texas’ electrical grid
The two Texans’ new bill would authorize the federal government to offer grants to states in support of weatherizing the state’s electrical grids. It comes in response to February’s deadly winter storm and sweeping power outages.
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Winter Storm 2021
When the power went out, Texas oil and gas regulators rushed to defend the industry’s image
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.
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Winter Storm 2021
Gov. Greg Abbott names former aide to retired House Speaker Dennis Bonnen to post regulating power grid
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.