
Energy & Environment
State regulators approve controversial Texas electricity market reform
Posted on · The substantial change in the way the state’s market works will first be reviewed by the Legislature.
Posted on · The substantial change in the way the state’s market works will first be reviewed by the Legislature.
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.
Posted on · The state power grid operator has been run by an interim chief since the previous CEO was fired following the deadly 2021 winter storm that crashed much of the grid.
Posted on · Texans with typical individual cellphone plans will have to pay a few dollars more each month. The increase will be higher for those with family plans and those who pay per-minute rates.
Posted on · The deadly winter freeze gave many Texans a glimpse into how complicated – and in many ways, vulnerable – the state’s electricity system is. Half a year later many Houstonians are still figuring out what parts of that system actually failed.
Posted on · The market redesign is ongoing, and the grid operator has already made some changes to improve reliability. Nonetheless, officials warn Texans to expect more energy conservation requests in the coming weeks as temperatures rise.
Posted on · Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the Public Utility Commission of Texas to overhaul the state’s electric grid via a letter sent Tuesday.
Posted on · The decision is expected to disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous and Latinx people, as well as seniors living on fixed incomes.
Posted on · The moratorium will be lifted on June 18, two days before a forecasted hotter-than-normal summer arrives.
Posted on · Bill Magness, CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, said widespread blackouts during last week’s winter storm were necessary to prevent grid failure.
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.
Posted on · The Public Utility Commission of Texas has implemented a ban on utility cutoffs for consumers who don’t pay their bills. The move does not apply to cooperatives or to municipality-owned utilities like CPS in San Antonio or Austin Energy.
Posted on · The PUC decision could allow two companies that already hold more than 70% of the market share to scoop up even more consumers, which experts worry will stifle competition and raise prices for everyone in the unregulated market in the long term.
Posted on · A state fund that subsidizes rural network service is bleeding money. Now the state is drastically cutting the amount of money that it typically pays out to these service providers.
Posted on · A consumer advocacy group recommends regulators do more to help consumers choose the right electricity plan.