News
A plan to overhaul the Texas grid has set up a showdown at the state Capitol
Posted on · The plan would raise prices and carbon dioxide emissions, and critics say it may not bring reliability.
Tag: PUC
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.
Energy & Environment
State agency that oversees Texas power grid needs more money to do its job, Sunset Commission finds
Posted on · The Public Utility Commission has about 200 employees but needs more to handle shoring up the state power grid and tackling an expanded list of regulatory duties, according to the state Sunset Advisory Commission.
Energy & Environment
Texas could connect to national power grids without losing autonomy, former grid regulator says
Posted on · Texas has long refused to connect its decentralized grid to two national power networks, but Hunt Energy Network CEO Pat Wood said the state could do so without additional oversight — and without state Legislature approval.
Houston Matters
The First Day Of School Amid COVID’s Fourth Wave And Battles Over Masks (Aug. 23, 2021)
Posted on · On Monday's show: Students and teachers go back to class at HISD today amid a fourth wave of COVID-19, reimbursing companies that made money during the February power failure, a local veterinarian answers your questions, and an update on local sports.
Energy & Environment
Is Your Renewable Energy Electricity Plan Really Supporting Texas Wind And Solar?
Posted on · Unlike most cities across the country, Houstonians have lots of choices when it comes to buying electricity – including plans for people who want to support renewable energy.
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
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.
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
Houston-Area Griddy Customer Seeks Class Action Lawsuit Alleging Unlawful Price Gouging
Posted on · Customers say the retail electricity provider charged them exponentially higher rates during last week’s storm. Griddy says Public Utilities Commission to blame for soaring prices.
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.
News
Regulators Approve Changes to State’s Electricity Shopping Website
Posted on · The Public Utility Commission of Texas has criticized electric companies for offering confusing power plans on the website.
Full Show
Electric Bills and Climate Change: Thursday’s Show (August 4, 2016)
Posted on · Starting next month (Sept. 1, 2016), CenterPoint Energy customers will begin seeing a change on their bill. The energy company recently raised the price it charges for transporting electricity from the provider to customersâ homes by about 65 cents per month. As Houston Public Media reported back in May, CenterPoint wanted to charge more — […]
Energy & Environment
Texas Regulators Tell Utilities To Share The Wealth
Posted on · Texas electricity customers should get a share of millions of dollars in tax savings earned by big utility companies. That’s the tentative agreement in a big case before Texas regulators