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.
Tag: Public Utility Commission of Texas
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
Pablo Vegas, a utility executive in Ohio, named ERCOT’s new CEO
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.
Economy
Phone bills are about to go up for some in Texas. Here’s why.
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.
Energy
How Power Flows To Your Houston Home — And Why It Failed To Do So During The Winter Freeze
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.
Energy & Environment
ERCOT Announces Electricity Market Redesign, Warns Of More Energy Conservation Requests
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.
Energy & Environment
Weeks After Declaring Mission Accomplished, Abbott Orders Further Changes To Texas Grid
Posted on · Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the Public Utility Commission of Texas to overhaul the state’s electric grid via a letter sent Tuesday.
Energy & Environment
‘That’s Violence’ — Corporations Can Turn Off Electricity For Past-Due Bills Starting Tuesday In Texas
Posted on · The decision is expected to disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous and Latinx people, as well as seniors living on fixed incomes.
Energy & Environment
Electricity Disconnections To Resume In Texas As Summer Heat Arrives
Posted on · The moratorium will be lifted on June 18, two days before a forecasted hotter-than-normal summer arrives.
Energy & Environment
ERCOT CEO Defends Power Outages As Texas Lawmakers Probe Winter Storm Response
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.
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.
Energy & Environment
Texas Agency Bans Utility Cutoffs For Failure To Pay
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.
Energy & Environment
Public Utility Commission Decision May Enable Largest Electricity Providers In Texas To Become More Powerful
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.
Politics
Internet And Phone Services In Rural Texas Threatened As State Slashes Subsidies For Providers
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.
Business
Report: Texas Electricity Consumers Face Too Many Hidden Fees
Posted on · A consumer advocacy group recommends regulators do more to help consumers choose the right electricity plan.