The state’s electric grid operator has predicted record electricity demand Thursday morning, just over a week after cold weather led to rolling power outages across Texas. But as Matt Largey of KUT News reports, grid operators say this time will be different.
Energy
In-depth reporting on oil, gas, renewable power, and policies shaping the future of energy in Texas from The Texas Tribune.
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Energy
Electricity Price Cap in Question After Blackouts
When blackouts rolled through the state last week, wholesale electricity rates skyrocketed to more than 50 times their normal price, finally hitting a set limit. But as Matt Largey of KUT News reports, the timing of changes to that limit is raising questions.
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Energy
El Paso’s Water Crisis
El Pasoans are not supposed to shower today. Or wash dishes, or do the laundry. The city is in the third day of a severe water shortage, which was partly caused by last week’s rolling blackouts. Restrictions may be lifted tonight.
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Energy
Trip Doggett: Audio Interview
An audio interview with Trip Doggett, president and chief executive of the Texas grid operator, ERCOT
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Energy
Trip Doggett: The TT Interview
The chief executive of the Texas electric grid operator discusses what caused the rolling blackouts across the state on Wednesday — and why he doesn’t know if he lost power in his own home.
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Economy
Texas Won’t Secede — But It Won’t Shut Up Either
Texas leaders aren’t talking about secession, after an outbreak of conversation a couple of years ago. But the germ of the idea remains in the anti-federalist talking points that fueled Gov. Rick Perry’s re-election campaign last year and provided the outline for his book, Fed Up!
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Energy
Head of Texas Grid Discusses Blackouts
The chief executive of ERCOT, the Texas grid operator, said that “extremely cold” temperatures and windy conditions caused valves, pipes and other equipment in some power plants to fail.
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Energy
The Rolling Chain of Events Behind Texas Blackouts
What happened yesterday to cause the rolling power blackouts across Texas? A chain reaction of problems involving the state’s coal and gas appeared to be the cause — and wind plants were having trouble, too.
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Energy
EPA Proposes New Regulations on Rocket Fuel Ingredient
The Environmental Protection Agency is developing new drinking-water regulations for a toxic rocket-fuel ingredient found in 26 states — including Texas.
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Energy
ERCOT Ends Emergency Blackouts
Power out at your house? You’ve got good company — 400,000 other Texans, as of noon today. But as of this afternoon, the lights (and heat) should be coming back on. The demand for power exceeded generation capacity around midnight last night, causing more than 50 generators to shut down statewide