Texas Power Grid

Texas

Texas lawmakers considering power grid fix that ignores last year’s blackout

Posted on · A report commissioned by the Public Utility Commission of Texas estimates that the performance credit mechanism could increase electricity costs on the state's grid by $460 million a year. Proponents of the credits say electric companies may eat some of that cost and not pass it on to consumers.

Energy & Environment

Texas Legislature Approves Bills To Require Power Plants To ‘Weatherize,’ Among Other Measures To Overhaul Electric Grid

Posted on · 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.

Texas Power Grid

Energy & Environment

ERCOT Hires Interim CEO And President As Major Grid Reforms Stall In Legislature

Posted on · ERCOT doesn’t have the power to mandate major changes. That’s the job of the Public Utility Commission (PUC), which oversees ERCOT and regulates the grid, as well as the Railroad Commission, which regulates the natural gas sector. The Texas legislature oversees all of the organizations, and its efforts to mandate weatherization have stalled.

Energy & Environment

While Texas Lawmakers Target Renewables, The State’s ‘Thermal Fleet’ Threatens Grid Stability Yet Again

Posted on · The state’s grid operator warned of a possible energy emergency on the grid Tuesday. It said slightly warmer-than-expected weather was part of the problem, but it was really the fact that coal, gas and nuclear power were offline all at once.

Energy & Environment

Electricity Repricing Bill Hits Wall In Texas House, Marking First Major Schism With Senate This Session

Posted on · Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said the House "stood for big business" after Speaker Dade Phelan signaled skepticism about reversing billions of dollars in charges for wholesale electricity during last month’s winter storm.

Energy & Environment

Texas Senate Scrambles To Advance Bill That Would Force ERCOT To Reprice Energy Charges From Winter Storm

Posted on · Senate Bill 2142, sponsored by state Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, had not even been filed when the day started Monday, but lawmakers suspended their rules to hastily push it through the Senate.

Energy & Environment

Gov. Greg Abbott Taps New Head Of Texas Utility Regulator In Wake Of Power Outages

Posted on · Arthur D'Andrea replaces DeAnn Walker, who resigned earlier this week as chair of the Public Utility Commission. The governor appoints commissioners to lead the PUC, which oversees the state’s grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.