INSIDER
CPS Energy wants to close 3 gas-powered plants in San Antonio by 2025. ERCOT says they’re vital to the Texas grid.
Read full article: CPS Energy wants to close 3 gas-powered plants in San Antonio by 2025. ERCOT says they’re vital to the Texas grid.CPS Energy wants to close three gas plants they say cost too much money and are old. ERCOT fights back saying they are needed to help sustain the Texas power grid.
ERCOT issues Weather Watch for Wednesday
Read full article: ERCOT issues Weather Watch for WednesdayThe Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has issued a Weather Watch for Wednesday due to anticipated high temperatures, high levels of expected maintenance outage and the potential for low reserves.
Lubbock residents have long dreamed of cheaper electricity. Will Texas’ open market deliver?
Read full article: Lubbock residents have long dreamed of cheaper electricity. Will Texas’ open market deliver?Years in the making, the transition from a municipal electric company to an open market has left some residents unsure.
ERCOT president, CEO: Conservation, preparation reasons why grid held firm during freezing temps this week
Read full article: ERCOT president, CEO: Conservation, preparation reasons why grid held firm during freezing temps this weekPablo Vegas, president and CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, said preparation and planning were among the reasons the grid held firm.
ERCOT asks Texans to conserve electricity, expects ‘tight grid conditions’ due to freezing temperatures
Read full article: ERCOT asks Texans to conserve electricity, expects ‘tight grid conditions’ due to freezing temperaturesERCOT is requesting safe conservation efforts on Tuesday morning from 6-9 a.m.
Gov. Greg Abbott says power grid prepared for arctic front, asks Texans to plan now for freezing temperatures
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott says power grid prepared for arctic front, asks Texans to plan now for freezing temperaturesGov. Greg Abbott stressed the reliability of the Texas power grid as an arctic front takes aim at Texas, and asked people to take precautions now as some parts of the state will be below freezing for more than 72 hours.
ERCOT’s Weather Watch for Texas lasts until Wednesday due to arctic cold front
Read full article: ERCOT’s Weather Watch for Texas lasts until Wednesday due to arctic cold frontThe Electrical Reliability Council of Texas adjusted its Weather Watch to begin on Sunday, Jan. 14, through Wednesday, Jan. 17.
ERCOT asks customers to reduce electric use, but can’t force action
Read full article: ERCOT asks customers to reduce electric use, but can’t force actionERCOT and local energy companies have been alerting Texans to reduce their energy use during peak hours, but other than asking politely, there’s not much they can do to force people to comply.
ERCOT ends Energy Emergency Alert Level 2, asks residents to reduce electric use
Read full article: ERCOT ends Energy Emergency Alert Level 2, asks residents to reduce electric useCPS Energy said it would return to its Yellow Alert after ERCOT’s Energy Emergency Alert Level 2 has been discontinued. ERCOT said Wednesday night that it would move to Energy Emergency Alert Level 1.
ERCOT issues Weather Watch for Wednesday-Friday as scorching summer heat continues
Read full article: ERCOT issues Weather Watch for Wednesday-Friday as scorching summer heat continuesThe Electrical Reliability Council of Texas issued a Weather Watch for Wednesday thru Friday due to forecasted higher temperatures, higher electrical demand, and the potential for lower reserves.
How ERCOT is narrowly getting through an extreme summer — and how experts say it could do better
Read full article: How ERCOT is narrowly getting through an extreme summer — and how experts say it could do betterRecord-high power demand and faltering electricity sources have tested the grid in the past month, forcing the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to dig deep into its toolbox to keep power flowing.
ERCOT issues conservation appeal for Wednesday due to low wind generation, thermal generation outages
Read full article: ERCOT issues conservation appeal for Wednesday due to low wind generation, thermal generation outagesTexans are being asked to conserve energy Wednesday evening as tight grid conditions are expected to continue, according to ERCOT.
ERCOT issues conservation appeal for Tuesday due to low wind generation, thermal generation outages
Read full article: ERCOT issues conservation appeal for Tuesday due to low wind generation, thermal generation outagesERCOT is requesting Texans to conserve energy on Tuesday evening as tight grid conditions are expected.
ERCOT issues conservation appeal for Sunday due to low solar generation, high demand
Read full article: ERCOT issues conservation appeal for Sunday due to low solar generation, high demandERCOT and CPS Energy are urging Texans to conserve their energy use on Saturday evening due to the expectation for tight grid conditions.
ERCOT issues conservation appeal for Saturday amid expectation for tight grid conditions
Read full article: ERCOT issues conservation appeal for Saturday amid expectation for tight grid conditionsERCOT is urging Texans to conserve their energy use Saturday afternoon and evening due to the expectation for tight grid conditions.
ERCOT issues conservation appeal for Friday amid expectation for tight grid conditions
Read full article: ERCOT issues conservation appeal for Friday amid expectation for tight grid conditionsERCOT is urging Texans to conserve their energy use on Friday evening due to the expectation for tight grid conditions.
ERCOT issues conservation appeal for Thursday amid expectation for tight grid conditions
Read full article: ERCOT issues conservation appeal for Thursday amid expectation for tight grid conditionsDue to low wind-power generation and high demand, operating reserves for ERCOT are expected to be low for several hours Thursday, prompting an appeal for Texans to conserve electricity use, from 3-10 p.m.
Texans asked to reduce energy use again as ongoing heat wave strains power grid
Read full article: Texans asked to reduce energy use again as ongoing heat wave strains power gridThe latest conservation request from ERCOT — the third in the past week — sought to reduce power demand from 3 to 10 p.m. Thursday.
ERCOT Weather Watch to remain in effect for Texas as 100-plus-degree heat won’t let up
Read full article: ERCOT Weather Watch to remain in effect for Texas as 100-plus-degree heat won’t let upThe Electrical Reliability Council of Texas has extended a Weather Watch for a second consecutive week due to 100-plus-degree high temperatures, higher electrical demand and the potential for lower reserves.
ERCOT issues Weather Watch for Texas amid record heat in forecast
Read full article: ERCOT issues Weather Watch for Texas amid record heat in forecastThe Electrical Reliability Council of Texas has issued a Weather Watch due to high temperatures, higher electrical demand and the potential for lower reserves
ERCOT can’t be sued over power grid failures during 2021 winter storm, Texas Supreme Court rules
Read full article: ERCOT can’t be sued over power grid failures during 2021 winter storm, Texas Supreme Court rulesThe all-Republican court narrowly found that the nonprofit corporation operating the state’s electrical grid qualifies for sovereign immunity, which protects government entities from lawsuits.
ERCOT asks people to reduce electricity Tuesday saying Texas could see record demand
Read full article: ERCOT asks people to reduce electricity Tuesday saying Texas could see record demandERCOT is asking Texans to voluntarily reduce electricity use from 4– 8 p.m. Tuesday due to extreme temperatures and forecasted record demand.
Texas called for energy conservation Tuesday as extreme heat spiked electricity demand
Read full article: Texas called for energy conservation Tuesday as extreme heat spiked electricity demandTexans were asked to conserve energy from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday as temperatures climb over 100 degrees for much of the state.
ERCOT issues Weather Watch as high temperatures lead to rise in electrical demand
Read full article: ERCOT issues Weather Watch as high temperatures lead to rise in electrical demandThe Electrical Reliability Council of Texas issued a weather watch Tuesday that will be effective late this week to early next, from June 15 to June 21.
Abbott appointee resigns as chair of power grid regulator
Read full article: Abbott appointee resigns as chair of power grid regulatorPublic Utility Commission chair Peter Lake had spearheaded a plan to help the state’s power grid withstand weather disasters, but the plan lacked support in the Texas Legislature.
ERCOT president presents plan to keep Texans up to date on power grid conditions
Read full article: ERCOT president presents plan to keep Texans up to date on power grid conditionsElectric Reliability Council of Texas officials are set to give an update to Texans regarding the reliability of the state’s power grid.
What’s changed since February 2021 to prevent another power grid failure? KSAT Explains
Read full article: What’s changed since February 2021 to prevent another power grid failure? KSAT ExplainsAfter the snow and ice of February 2021 had melted and power and water service finally returned, catastrophe turned to criticism. Lawmakers and power providers have since gone to work in hopes that it doesn't happen again.
LOOK BACK: It’s been 2 years since Texas’ devastating winter storm of February 2021
Read full article: LOOK BACK: It’s been 2 years since Texas’ devastating winter storm of February 2021It’s an event that those of us around Texas will likely remember for the rest of our lives: The Big Freeze of February 2021.
How freezing rain, tree-lined neighborhoods and above-ground power lines prolonged Austin power outages
Read full article: How freezing rain, tree-lined neighborhoods and above-ground power lines prolonged Austin power outagesTens of thousands of Austin households and businesses went days without electricity after a winter storm wreaked havoc across Texas.
Chainsaws and dry socks: Austinites step up for neighbors during ice storm
Read full article: Chainsaws and dry socks: Austinites step up for neighbors during ice stormFriends in North Austin removed downed trees from neighbors’ roofs, while closer to the city core, volunteers rushed to meet the immediate needs of people without homes — those most severely impacted by the freezing temperatures.
WATCH: Gov. Greg Abbott, state utility leaders say power grid ‘ready and reliable’ for hard freeze
Read full article: WATCH: Gov. Greg Abbott, state utility leaders say power grid ‘ready and reliable’ for hard freezeGov. Greg Abbott is holding a news conference on Wednesday morning ahead of the hard freeze that’s expected to hit Texas on Thursday afternoon.
State agency proposes changes to power market aimed at averting mass blackouts
Read full article: State agency proposes changes to power market aimed at averting mass blackoutsThe proposal is aimed at making sure power providers and electricity generators have enough power on hand in case of increased demand. But it’s not clear how it would hold up in unexpected weather, an expert said.
BCSO: No charges to be filed after criminal probe into 2021 winter storm outages
Read full article: BCSO: No charges to be filed after criminal probe into 2021 winter storm outagesThe Bexar County Sheriff’s Office has closed its criminal inquiry into power outages related last year’s deadly winter storm without filing any charges, BCSO officials confirmed Monday.
Gov. Greg Abbott touts Texas power grid’s readiness heading into fall, election season
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott touts Texas power grid’s readiness heading into fall, election seasonThe governor shared the favorable forecast — which is normal for the fall months — ahead of a competitive race in which the grid’s performance during last year’s fatal winter storm may factor into Texans’ decisions at the polls.
There’s an explanation for your skyrocketing energy bill
Read full article: There’s an explanation for your skyrocketing energy billWith energy consumption high this summer and the cost of fuel used to create electricity also up, Texans are seeing higher utility bills. An energy fellow at the University of Houston explains why those bills are going up.
How to know the difference between a local power outage and rolling blackouts
Read full article: How to know the difference between a local power outage and rolling blackoutsPower outages are a possibility during any severe weather event. But a local power outage is different from a larger power grid problem.
TribCast: Are there signs of life for Beto O’Rourke’s campaign?
Read full article: TribCast: Are there signs of life for Beto O’Rourke’s campaign?In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Mitchell and Patrick about the power grid, the race for governor and the extra money the Texas Legislature will have on hand to spend next year.
ERCOT CEO concerned about older machines’ reliability in Texas summer heat, report says
Read full article: ERCOT CEO concerned about older machines’ reliability in Texas summer heat, report saysIn an interview with the Houston Chronicle, ERCOT Interim president and CEO Brad Jones said forecasters for the organization did not anticipate the extreme heat and projected on the hottest day of summer that the grid demand would reach 77,300 megawatts.
ERCOT urges Texans, businesses to conserve energy Wednesday amid sizzling heat
Read full article: ERCOT urges Texans, businesses to conserve energy Wednesday amid sizzling heatThe Electric Reliability Council of Texas is urging Texans to conserve energy on Wednesday as triple-digit temperatures are once again in the forecast.
Fire at CPS Energy substation leads to power outages for thousands on South Side
Read full article: Fire at CPS Energy substation leads to power outages for thousands on South SideFlames at a CPS Energy substation intensified Monday’s weather conditions in San Antonio, cutting off power to thousands on the South Side for hours.
CPS Energy customers frustrated with record-breaking bills during summer months
Read full article: CPS Energy customers frustrated with record-breaking bills during summer monthsCPS Energy customers are frustrated with their recent energy bills, saying this is the last thing they need on top of high gas prices and inflation.
‘More than enough energy’: CPS Energy prepares for potential record-breaking demand
Read full article: ‘More than enough energy’: CPS Energy prepares for potential record-breaking demandERCOT predicts the statewide energy demand will be record-breaking this Friday, with demand expected to hit 77 Gigawatts. CPS Energy officials say they’re ready to meet growing demand.
Can Texas power grid withstand the heat? Energy expert weighs in as scorching summer approaches
Read full article: Can Texas power grid withstand the heat? Energy expert weighs in as scorching summer approachesThe recent heatwave has many people concerned about whether the Texas power grid can keep up with the demand and usage as we head into the summer.
WATCH LIVE: ERCOT holds briefing on summer power assessment
Read full article: WATCH LIVE: ERCOT holds briefing on summer power assessmentERCOT, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas who operates the power grid for the state, is expected to talk to the media this afternoon about its summer assessment on power usage.
ERCOT asks Texans to conserve power after 6 power facilities go offline Friday
Read full article: ERCOT asks Texans to conserve power after 6 power facilities go offline FridayAfter six power facilities went offline Friday, the state’s main power grid operator is asking residents across the state to conserve power this weekend amid sweltering temperatures.
ERCOT asks power plants to postpone planned outages to meet demand of extreme heat anticipated this weekend
Read full article: ERCOT asks power plants to postpone planned outages to meet demand of extreme heat anticipated this weekendTexas is about to get very hot with the weather forecasted to hit triple digits this weekend in many areas across the state, including San Antonio.
Analysis: Whatever the campaigns say, the Texas electric grid isn’t fixed yet
Read full article: Analysis: Whatever the campaigns say, the Texas electric grid isn’t fixed yetAfter 2021’s winter storm electric blackouts, Texas lawmakers worked to shore up the state’s electric grid. But they’re not finished, despite what you might hear from campaigning politicians.
Ex-ERCOT chief testifies that Gov. Abbott’s order led to energy price hike during storm: report
Read full article: Ex-ERCOT chief testifies that Gov. Abbott’s order led to energy price hike during storm: reportWhile testifying in a bankruptcy trial for a Texas electric co-op, the state’s former grid manager said Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive led them to keep power price points high during last year’s winter storm, according to a Houston Chronicle report.
Analysis: “Nothing to see here” is good news for Texans and for incumbent politicians
Read full article: Analysis: “Nothing to see here” is good news for Texans and for incumbent politiciansThe first really cold weather of the year came and went without straining the state’s electric grid — a welcome relief for voters and for politicians, who didn’t want a repeat of 2021's winter blackouts.
TribCast: The Texas power grid fares better in 2022’s winter storm
Read full article: TribCast: The Texas power grid fares better in 2022’s winter stormIn this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Mitchell and James about how Texas held up during the wintry weather, plus the struggles of the National Guard during their border deployment.
Power grid is stable, governor says, but freezing temperatures will continue affecting roadways
Read full article: Power grid is stable, governor says, but freezing temperatures will continue affecting roadwaysGov. Greg Abbott will hold a news conference following his briefing with statewide officials about the response to the second day of the winter storm.
‘We have done everything in our power’: CPS Energy says it is ready for winter weather
Read full article: ‘We have done everything in our power’: CPS Energy says it is ready for winter weatherIn the wake of last year's freeze, CPS Energy says it has spent $2 million on preparing its power plants -- built to operate in Texas summers -- to hold up and keep operating in the freezing cold, too.
Winter storm issues exposed a cascade of scandals at CPS Energy in 2021
Read full article: Winter storm issues exposed a cascade of scandals at CPS Energy in 2021While February’s deadly winter storm not only left hundreds of thousands of San Antonio residents without power in subfreezing temperatures, some for days on end, it also exposed a large number of organizational issues within CPS Energy, the largest public power company in the nation.
TribCast: Texas braces for the next winter storm and a new COVID-19 variant
Read full article: TribCast: Texas braces for the next winter storm and a new COVID-19 variantIn this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Mitchell, James and Karen about the status of the power grid and the pandemic heading into winter.
Analysis: Betting a Texas election on a weather forecast
Read full article: Analysis: Betting a Texas election on a weather forecastGov. Greg Abbott says he can "guarantee" there won't be blackouts this winter in Texas after one that knocked out power for some people for four days last February. That's the kind of pre-election prediction that can make a weather forecaster more useful than a political poll.
Texas grid vulnerable to blackouts during severe winter weather, even with new preparations, ERCOT estimates show
Read full article: Texas grid vulnerable to blackouts during severe winter weather, even with new preparations, ERCOT estimates showThe most severe scenario considered by ERCOT for this winter — very high demand for power, extensive fossil fuel outages, and low renewable power production — does not capture the amount of power lost during February.
4 things we’ve learned since February’s deadly winter storm
Read full article: 4 things we’ve learned since February’s deadly winter stormIt’s been six months since the deadly February winter storm left millions across the state without power for days, and many questions about what went wrong remain unanswered. The KSAT Explains team and the Defenders have been closely following the fallout of the storm. We take a look at four things we've learned so far.
ERCOT unveils ‘Roadmap to Improving Grid Reliability’ in effort to help Texas Power Grid
Read full article: ERCOT unveils ‘Roadmap to Improving Grid Reliability’ in effort to help Texas Power GridThe Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) released a new plan Tuesday to address improvements and outline reforms to the Texas Power Grid, according to a news release.
Report on February freeze spurs heated council comments
Read full article: Report on February freeze spurs heated council commentsThe Committee on Emergency Preparedness presented its analysis of what went wrong during the extended freezing temperatures and how the city and its utilities could prepare better next time.
ERCOT will have to release information about power plant outages quicker — but it may not detail what causes them
Read full article: ERCOT will have to release information about power plant outages quicker — but it may not detail what causes themThe Public Utility Commission said the state's main power grid operator will have three days — instead of 60 — to release some information about power plant outages. But that may not include why the electricity generators were offline.
Twitter goes nuclear over ERCOT’s request for Texans to hike thermostat in scorching heat
Read full article: Twitter goes nuclear over ERCOT’s request for Texans to hike thermostat in scorching heatOn Monday, ERCOT requested Texans turn their thermostats up to 78 degrees and higher to conserve energy because, once again, the power grid is not working as it should.
Gov. Abbott said reforms fixed ERCOT’s flaws. Why is the Texas power grid struggling?
Read full article: Gov. Abbott said reforms fixed ERCOT’s flaws. Why is the Texas power grid struggling?“This is the sort of weather that a well-functioning Texas power grid should have no trouble meeting,” Cohan said. “These shouldn’t be such close calls.”
Gov. Greg Abbott says power grid better than ever as Texans asked to cut back electricity use
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott says power grid better than ever as Texans asked to cut back electricity useA number of power plants were inexplicably offline at the same time that Texas was experiencing record June demand for electricity. ERCOT officials are still working to determine why.
Bexar County opens cooling centers to residents amid heat, power conservation plea
Read full article: Bexar County opens cooling centers to residents amid heat, power conservation pleaThe Bexar County Office of Emergency Management has opened eight cooling centers to help residents get a reprieve from the heat, as ERCOT and CPS Energy have asked people to reduce electric use.
Map shows that San Antonio’s winter storm power outages were vastly different between neighborhoods
Read full article: Map shows that San Antonio’s winter storm power outages were vastly different between neighborhoodsA map recently produced by CPS Energy showed something many San Antonio residents suspected was true during Winter Storm Uri — outages were vastly unequal between neighborhoods.
San Antonio Emergency Preparedness Committee member gives sneak peak of winter storm response findings
Read full article: San Antonio Emergency Preparedness Committee member gives sneak peak of winter storm response findingsThe city of San Antonio is hoping the final findings of the February winter storm’s response efforts are polished before being released, which is why the date of release is now June 24 instead of June 15.
ERCOT issues Conservation Alert on Monday asking Texans to reduce electric use immediately
Read full article: ERCOT issues Conservation Alert on Monday asking Texans to reduce electric use immediatelyA Conservation Alert was issued Monday advising that the demand for energy was getting close to the state’s energy supply level.
Gov. Greg Abbott to sign ERCOT reforms bill into law
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott to sign ERCOT reforms bill into lawGov.Greg Abbott will hold a press conference Tuesday at the Texas Capitol where he will sign legislation into law to reform the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and weatherize and improve the reliability of the state’s power grid.
Overhaul of ERCOT board could replace experts with political appointees
Read full article: Overhaul of ERCOT board could replace experts with political appointeesERCOT names new, temporary leader two months after deadly winter storm
Read full article: ERCOT names new, temporary leader two months after deadly winter stormThe board overseeing the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the independent nonprofit entity that operates and manages the electricity grid that covers much of Texas, named former executive Brad Jones on Tuesday to be interim president and CEO.
Energy instability at forefront of Texans’ minds after second straight day of ‘tight grid’ conditions
Read full article: Energy instability at forefront of Texans’ minds after second straight day of ‘tight grid’ conditionsFor the second mild spring day in a row, officials with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, said Wednesday that they were dealing with tight energy grid conditions.
ERCOT asks Texans to conserve power, but says outages not expected as it nears emergency conditions
Read full article: ERCOT asks Texans to conserve power, but says outages not expected as it nears emergency conditionsThe state’s main power grid operator asked Texans to conserve power Tuesday afternoon and into the evening as the electricity grid is barely keeping up with the demand for electricity.
Public support of CPS Energy crumbled following power outages, Bexar Facts poll shows
Read full article: Public support of CPS Energy crumbled following power outages, Bexar Facts poll showsThe public’s job approval rating of CPS Energy took a nosedive following February’s deadly winter storm and widespread power outages, according to a new poll of likely Bexar County voters.
‘Caught flat-footed’: Energy experts, lawsuits claim CPS has itself to blame for $700 million in natural gas bills
Read full article: ‘Caught flat-footed’: Energy experts, lawsuits claim CPS has itself to blame for $700 million in natural gas billsAs CPS Energy continues to file lawsuits against entities it claims contributed to massive natural gas bills it racked up during February’s winter storm, energy experts and officials from some the companies targeted by the suits say the utility’s poor risk management is to blame.
What led to the ‘total breakdown’ of the Texas power grid? KSAT Explains
Read full article: What led to the ‘total breakdown’ of the Texas power grid? KSAT ExplainsIn mid-February, Texas was hit with a winter storm unlike any we’ve seen in years. In the wake of that storm, Texans are left with many questions.