Energy & Environment
Grid Operator Says Texans Can Return To Regular Electricity Use
Posted on · The operator had urged electricity conservation earlier this week as several power generators unexpectedly went offline as temperatures rose this week.
Tag: electricity
Houston Matters
Are We Headed For A Summer Version Of February’s Power Failure? (June 16, 2021)
Posted on · On Wednesday's show: ERCOT calls on Texans to conserve power amid high summer demand, the week in politics, and anxieties about going back to work.
Winter Storm Aftermath
It’s Becoming Clearer Who Profited From The Blackouts, And That’s Raising Questions Of Price Gouging
Posted on · Natural gas was in short supply during the blackouts and could be sold at a premium. With no market controls, gas increased hundreds of times its normal value.
Energy & Environment
ERCOT Ends Energy Conservation Alert After Warning Of Emergency Grid Conditions
Posted on · The grid operator issued an alert Tuesday, warning that electricity demand on the grid was close to surpassing supply.
Energy & Environment
Houston Area Fared Worse Than The Rest Of Texas During The Winter Storm, Report Says
Posted on · Sixty-six people also died in Harris County alone, accounting for nearly one-third of the almost 200 deaths attributed to the storm, according to the report.
Engines Podcast
Engines of Our Ingenuity 2008: Figuring Out Science
Posted on · Episode: 2008 Figuring Out Science: Our surprising scientifically-savvy great-grandparents. Today, figuring out science in 1876.
Engines Podcast
Engines of Our Ingenuity 2578: Water Towers
Posted on · Episode: 2578 The Wonders of Water Towers. Today, water flows downhill.
Energy & Environment
Resigning ERCOT Board Members Acknowledge ‘Pain And Suffering’ From Extreme Power Grid Strain That Caused Outages For Millions Of Texans
Posted on · In the power grid operator’s first board meeting since Texas’ power outages, a sixth ERCOT board member confirmed his resignation, and new details show that a shortage of natural gas fuel was a bigger problem last week than in 2011.
Energy & Environment
Gov. Greg Abbott, In Statewide Address, Promises Answers On Winter Weather Disaster
Posted on · "Tragic does not even begin to describe" the suffering Texans endured, Abbott said Wednesday evening.
Energy & Environment
Texas’ Power Grid Was 4 Minutes And 37 Seconds Away From Collapsing. Here’s How It Happened
Posted on · A cascading series of events could have left Texas in the dark for weeks — if not more.
Energy & Environment
Here’s What To Expect From Your Next Electricity Bill In Texas
Posted on · Below freezing temperatures exposed major issues in the Texas power infrastructure last week, and have left many electricity customers asking if they’ll see a big price spike in their next bill.
Weather
Biden To Authorize Broader Disaster Relief For Texas
Posted on · The state has for the last week suffered through a major winter storm that left many of its residents without heat, power or potable water.
Houston Matters
Plumbers Answer Your Questions About Frozen, Broken Pipes (Feb. 19, 2021)
Posted on · On Friday’s show: The latest on water and power outages around the region, and with so many Houstonians dealing with problems caused by frozen pipes, a pair of plumbing experts answer your questions.
Politics
‘What Happened Is Completely Unacceptable’: Gov. Greg Abbott Calls For Winterization Of Texas Energy System
Posted on · Abbott also blasted the Electric Reliability Council of Texas for its handling of the recent winter storm.
Energy & Environment
Grid Managers Say Texans May Get ‘Rotating’ Blackouts Once Their Power Returns
Posted on · Some power plants and infrastructure that were knocked offline due to the freezing weather are up and running again, but the grid's condition remains critical.