Texas gas companies face fines up to $1 million for failing to prepare for extreme weather
Critics are skeptical about whether the new rules by the Railroad Commission will prevent another catastrophe like the power grid disaster in February 2021.
Critics are skeptical about whether the new rules by the Railroad Commission will prevent another catastrophe like the power grid disaster in February 2021.
Standards for insulating wells and pipelines against winter weather don’t have consumers in mind, some groups say.
Texas’ electric grid operator has powered through record demand this summer by paying more to keep higher reserves and rewarding industrial consumers to cut usage, a combination that has added more than $1 billion to power fees.
Operators are forced to defer maintenance as aging fleet is ‘run harder than it’s ever been run.’
Climate change and other factors are shortening the window when aging Texas power plants can make repairs to run at full strength in hot summer months.
Power generators, providers are making summer preps, but are hamstrung by ERCOT’s caution. As power generators and providers complete the last of their preparations before the summer’s high demand arrives, one trade organization said ERCOT’s caution stemming from the deadly 2021 winter storm.