Thousands are accusing power companies, distribution companies, electric grid operators and others of failing to prepare properly for the February 2021 storm, creating a catastrophe.
Energy
In-depth reporting on oil, gas, renewable power, and policies shaping the future of energy in Texas from The Texas Tribune.
Rural Central Texasโ plentiful trees make power outages a frustrating fact of life after storms
Leon Countyโs judge wants the state to help clear trees around power lines after residents again go without electricity following another storm.
How freezing rain, tree-lined neighborhoods and above-ground power lines prolonged Austin power outages
Tens of thousands of Austin households and businesses went days without electricity after a winter storm wreaked havoc across Texas.
Texasโ teacher pension fund divested from investment firms accused of โboycottingโ oil and gas industry
The Teacher Retirement System of Texas was following a new state law targeting investment firms that seek to invest in companies that donโt worsen climate change.
In South Texas, opponents say planned natural gas export facilityโs carbon capture promises are โgreenwashingโ
A company planning to build a massive liquefied natural gas export facility near Brownsville says carbon capture technology will reduce its pollution, but some locals say itโs a โBand-Aid on a bullet hole.โ
Some Austin homes may not get electricity back for another week, city says
Nearly 95% of the city has electricity after last weekโs winter storm. But Austin Energy says the remaining outages are the most complex and time-consuming.
Austin makes progress restoring power, but tens of thousands still without
The city originally said it would restore all power by 6 p.m. Friday. But more than 57,000 customers are still without electricity Saturday night.
โHunting for warm places to goโ: Austinites cope as outages linger
While families search for warmth, light and distractions, line workers race to restore normal life.
Gov. Greg Abbott issues disaster declaration for Texas ice storm
Abbott declared disaster in seven Texas counties hard hit by this weekโs winter storm. Austin has been the epicenter of a power crisis as tens of thousands wait for electricity to be restored.
TribCast: Is Texas uniquely bad at disaster preparedness?
In this weekโs episode, Matthew speaks with University of Texas at Austin professor Michael Webber and environment reporter Erin Douglas about the stateโs widespread power outages.


