Most recent 40 articles: Texastribune
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In Texas, ex-oil and gas workers champion geothermal energy as a replacement for fossil-fueled power plants - Texastribune  (Mar 26) |
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Mar 26 · Texas has become an early hot spot for geothermal energy exploration as scores of former oil industry workers and executives are taking their knowledge to a new energy source. Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. This is the second of a three-part series on emerging energy sources and Texas' role in developing them. You can read part one, on hydrogen energy, here, and part three, on nuclear energy, here. STARR COUNTY - In 2009, on a plot of shrub-covered cattle land about 45 miles northwest of McAllen, Shell buried and abandoned a well it drilled to look for gas. The well turned ... Read more ... |
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“Nobody really knows what you're supposed to do”: Leaking, exploding abandoned wells wreak havoc in West Texas - Texastribune  (Feb 29, 2024) |
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Feb 29, 2024 · The Texas Railroad Commission is tasked with plugging wells. But the state regulators say their scope is limited. Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. IMPERIAL - Mounds of dirt towered over Bill Wight, who stared helplessly at the piles that had once been pasture for his cattle. After a few moments, he turned his head and surveyed a vast pool of water that had spilled over his land after an abandoned well exploded in early December. The water that sprang from the forgotten hole drilled searching for oil or water contained so much salt that it scrubbed the life off the land. It ... Read more ... |
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Texas Could Expand Highways With Federal Climate Money - Texastribune  (Nov 06, 2023) |
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Nov 06, 2023 · The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act required Texas’ transportation agency to create a carbon reduction strategy to get $641 million federal dollars. Critics say the plan is unlikely to meaningfully cut greenhouse gasses from the state’s massive transportation sector. Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. The Texas Department of Transportation plans to spend about half a billion federal dollars on projects that the agency says will lessen the amount of climate-warming carbon dioxide emitted into the air. But environmental and public transportation advocates say the agency’s ... Read more ... |
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How ERCOT is narrowly getting through an extreme summer — and how experts say it could do better - Texastribune  (Sep 01, 2023) |
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Sep 01, 2023 · Record-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. Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. After months of unrelenting heat during a particularly sweltering summer, the Texas power grid’s ability to meet high electricity demand hit shaky ground Aug. 17. With power production from wind turbines forecast to be low and solar production expected to drop after sunset, grid operators asked residents to conserve electricity. It was a ... Read more ... |
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Texans asked to reduce energy use again as ongoing heat wave strains power grid - Texastribune  (Aug 24, 2023) |
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Aug 24, 2023 · The latest conservation request from ERCOT - the third in the past week - sought to reduce power demand from 3 to 10 p.m. Thursday. Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. The state’s grid operator asked Texans to conserve energy on Thursday afternoon and evening, when forecasters expected grid conditions to be tight because of high demand for power as excessive heat continued to grip the state. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, warned of “high potential” to go into emergency operations. The first step would involve bringing all available power generation online, ... Read more ... |
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State power grid operator calls on Texans to conserve energy late Sunday - Texastribune  (Aug 20, 2023) |
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Aug 20, 2023 · ERCOT asked energy customers to reduce their electricity use from 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday, the third conservation request this year and the second in three days as punishing summer heat continues. Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. The state’s electric grid operator is asking Texans to limit their power use on Sunday between 7 and 10 p.m., the second such request in three days as extreme heat continues to grip the state. Residents can reduce electricity use by turning up their thermostat a degree or two, turning off lights and holding off on running large appliances like washing ... Read more ... |
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At a shuttered Texas coal mine, a 1-acre garden is helping feed 2,000 people per month - Texastribune  (Jul 14, 2023) |
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Jul 14, 2023 · The garden in the middle of a 35,000-acre former mine is supplying thousands of pounds of fresh produce to families in three counties that have few grocery stores. by Alejandra Martinez July 14, 20235 AM Central Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. DONIE - Five homeschoolers pick fist-size garlic cloves, green jalapeños, strawberries, squash and kale on a breezy Thursday morning in late June. They’re volunteering at a local food garden where bright orange marigolds attract bees from a local keeper’s hive. The 1-acre garden has yielded about 10,000 pounds of produce for six ... Read more ... |
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[ ... ] Solar power proves its worth as heat wave grips the state - Texastribune  (Jun 28, 2023) |
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Jun 28, 2023 · Texas has seen a boom in solar power in recent years, and experts say that’s helped the state grid weather an intense June heat wave. by Emily Foxhall June 28, 20235 AM Central Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. While Texans drag through another punishing heat wave, people have nervously watched the state’s power grid, hoping it will hold up as the triple-digit days wear on. Under the blazing sun, the state has produced significant amounts of electricity from solar panels to help avoid shortfalls. The heat pushed demand to a new record - topping 81,000 megawatts on ... Read more ... |
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Senator's bill would fine Texans for multiple environmental complaints that don't lead to enforcement - Texastribune  (Apr 17, 2023) |
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Apr 17, 2023 · The bill would impose fines when residents make more than three complaints to the state environmental agency in a year if they don’t result in enforcement action. Critics warn the bill would discourage people from reporting pollution. by Alejandra Martinez, The Texas Tribune, and Martha Pskowski, Inside Climate News April 17, 20235 AM Central Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. GUNTER - From the big glass windows in her dining room, Linda Hunter has seen her view transformed from grand, green pastures to a row of side-by-side concrete batch plants. The 59-year-old, who ... Read more ... |
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Texas heat-related deaths reached a two-decade high in 2022 amid extreme temperatures - Texastribune  (Jan 26, 2023) |
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Jan 26, 2023 · A Texas Tribune analysis of state data found that at least 268 people in Texas were killed by heat last year, and a large portion of those deaths were likely migrants who died after crossing the border. Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Heat-related deaths in Texas last year reached a new high for this century amid a sharp rise in migrant deaths and soaring temperatures enhanced by climate change, according to a Texas Tribune analysis of state data going back to 1999. In 2022, Texas saw its second-hottest summer on record during the state’s worst drought in more than a ... Read more ... |
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Winter Storm Is Freezing Pipes and Hammering Natural Gas Output - Texastribune  (Dec 23, 2022) |
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Dec 23, 2022 · At least one person died in the freezing weather. High demand for electricity is forecast to continue into Saturday. Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. HOUSTON - As freezing temperatures enveloped Texas, demand for electricity Friday morning shattered the grid operator’s peak expectations for the maximum amount of power people would use to stay warm this winter. Luckily, the state’s grid held, but the resiliency test isn’t over: High demand is forecast to continue into Saturday while power supplied from wind, which has been offering a significant boost during the blustery Arctic blast, will ... Read more ... |
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Texas shelters prepare for twin emergencies: Arctic cold and an increase in migrants - Texastribune  (Dec 22, 2022) |
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Dec 22, 2022 · Cities and nonprofits are using a variety of strategies to keep unhoused people warm. But some organizations warn they’re already at capacity as El Paso sends migrants across the state. by Lucy Tompkins, The Texas Tribune and The New York Times, and Pooja Salhotra, The Texas Tribune Dec. 22, 20225 AM Central Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. HOUSTON - With freezing temperatures expected across much of the state Thursday and Friday, Texas cities are turning their attention to their unhoused communities - the people most at risk from the single-digit temperatures. The impending freeze is ... Read more ... |
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Watch: Panhandle cotton farmers, rural economies struggle under “exceptional” drought conditions - Texastribune  (Dec 21, 2022) |
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Dec 21, 2022 · “A year like this, where everything is disaster, is just, I’d say, devastating,” cotton farmer Steven Walker said. by Jillian Taylor Dec. 21, 20225 AM Central Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. CROSBYTON - Cotton farmer Steven Walker stands on a patch of dry soil on his 2,500-acre farm, surveying the fields of bare dirt around him and reflecting on what he saw before the “exceptional” drought conditions of 2022. “Every field around here would have cotton on it,” Walker said. “A year like this, where everything is disaster, is just, I’d say, devastating.” The majority of Walker’s ... Read more ... |
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EPA will center climate change response in Texas on sea level rise, floods, drought and severe storms - Texastribune  (Oct 06, 2022) |
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Oct 06, 2022 · The federal agency plans to increase efforts to help states adapt to the effects of climate change most damaging to each region. by Erin Douglas Oct. 6, 20221 PM Central Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. The Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday it will roll out a suite of new actions and communication strategies to help Texans adapt to the impacts of climate change - particularly flooding, severe storms and drought. The plan for EPA’s Region 6 - which includes Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Louisiana - found that Texas’ largest vulnerabilities to climate change are ... Read more ... |
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EPA reverses course, rejects permit for massive oil exporting project offshore from Corpus Christi - Texastribune  (Sep 02, 2022) |
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Sep 02, 2022 · During the Trump administration, the Environmental Protection Agency exempted a proposed oil export terminal off the Texas coast from air pollution requirements. This week it rejected the permit because of pollution concerns. by Erin Douglas and Mitchell Ferman Sept. 2, 20224 PM Central Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. The Environmental Protection Agency denied a permit this week for an offshore oil export terminal project near Corpus Christi because it would have allowed massive amounts of pollution - reversing course after the agency under the Trump administration had moved the project ... Read more ... |
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A power test for Texas voters - Texastribune  (Mar 16, 2022) |
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Mar 16, 2022 · After last winter’s near-statewide electric blackouts, Texas lawmakers went after regulators they deemed responsible but tiptoed around the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates oil and gas. Now voters have a chance, if they want it, to send the state a message. by Ross Ramsey March 16, 20225 AM Central Editor's note: If you'd like an email notice whenever we publish Ross Ramsey's column, click here. If you would like to listen to the column, click on the play button below. You remember how, after a nasty winter storm shut off the power in Texas and killed at least 246 people last year, the state’s top officials fired a bunch of regulators and others who ... Read more ... |
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Democrat running for Texas agency that regulates the energy industry focusing his campaign on furor over power grid failure - Texastribune  (Nov 10, 2021) |
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Nov 10, 2021 · Luke Warford, a 32-year-old former Texas Democratic Party staffer, is challenging Republican incumbent Wayne Christian for a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission. by Patrick Svitek Nov. 10, 202110 AM Central Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. A 32-year-old former top staffer for the Texas Democratic Party is running for a spot on the three-person commission regulating the state’s oil and gas industry, hoping to unseat Republican incumbent Wayne Christian with a chief focus on the power grid failure earlier this year. Luke Warford, the party’s former chief strategy officer, said in an ... Read more ... |
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Climate change is making Texas hotter, threatening public health, water supply and the state's infrastructure - Texastribune  (Oct 07, 2021) |
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Oct 07, 2021 · A report from the state climatologist finds that the state is experiencing hotter days with less relief from high temperatures at night. by Erin Douglas Oct. 7, 202110 AM Central Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Climate change has made the Texas heat worse, with less relief as nighttime temperatures warm, a report from the state’s climatologist published Thursday found. Climate data also show that the state is experiencing extreme rainfall - especially in eastern Texas - bigger storm surges as seas rise along the Gulf Coast and more flooding from hurricanes strengthened by a warming ... Read more ... |
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Texas [state] senators blast regulator for power grid winterization loophole lawmakers wrote into law - Texastribune  (Sep 28, 2021) |
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Sep 28, 2021 · The law says the state's natural gas system won't be required to prepare for extreme weather until 2022 at the earliest and allows companies to opt out of weatherization requirements. by Mitchell Ferman Sept. 28, 20216 PM Central Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. In a committee hearing Tuesday, Texas senators were furious that natural gas companies won’t have to better prepare their facilities for extreme weather before this winter and rebuked the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the state’s massive oil and gas industry, for not fixing the problem sooner. “Wait a minute,” ... Read more ... |
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Texas Senate outlasts 15-hour filibuster by Sen - Texastribune  (Aug 11, 2021) |
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Aug 11, 2021 · The Houston Democrat was on her feet speaking, not allowed to sit or lean against her desk, and unable to take bathroom breaks or drink water, since Wednesday evening. But ultimately the bill she opposed passed Thursday on an 18-11 vote. Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Since before sunset Wednesday, state Sen. Carol Alvarado had been on her feet speaking, not allowed to sit or lean against her desk, on the Senate floor. Unable to take bathroom breaks or drink water, she had worn a back brace, eyeglasses and running shoes and talked slowly behind a desk stacked with papers and with a ... Read more ... |
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Energy industry showers Gov. Greg Abbott, other Texas politicians with campaign cash after they passed power grid bills - Texastribune  (Aug 04, 2021) |
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Aug 04, 2021 · For some energy experts, the increase in donations for the officials at the close of the session looks like a reward for not passing more stringent regulations and raises questions about whether lawmakers let the oil, gas and the broader energy industry off easy for its massive failures. by Mitchell Ferman and Carla Astudillo Aug. 4, 20215 AM Central Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Fixing Texas’ power grid was about the only thing Republicans and Democrats in the legislative session seemed to agree on earlier this year. Power companies were in the hot seat, as millions of Texans who ... Read more ... |
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San Antonio built a pipeline to rural Central Texas to increase its water supply - Texastribune  (Aug 02, 2021) |
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Aug 02, 2021 · A pipeline helped secure water for San Antonio for decades to come - at a potentially high cost to some rural residents who are losing groundwater to the big city. Is it a preview for the rest of the state as climate change brings more water scarcity and cities keep sprawling? by Erin Douglas Aug. 2, 20215 AM Central Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. LEXINGTON - When the water finally arrived, San Antonio’s leadership could relax. The roughly 150-mile long water pipeline to the northeast guaranteed the city’s economic future and freed residents from the stress of droughts. “We have ... Read more ... |
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How the Texas Legislature could change the state's power grid this session - Texastribune  (May 26, 2021) |
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May 26, 2021 · Lawmakers are considering legislation that would require power plants to weatherize and that would add charges to most Texans’ power bills to cover companies’ financial losses during the February winter storm. State lawmakers are close to passing sweeping legislation to overhaul the state’s power grid following the disastrous and deadly winter storm in February that left more than 4.8 million homes and businesses without electricity for days. More than 100 people died. As time runs out in the legislative session, the Texas House and Senate will need to hammer out differences between the two chambers’ power grid proposals and quickly move the legislation in the coming ... Read more ... |
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Almost 70% of ERCOT customers lost power during winter storm, study finds - Texastribune  (Mar 29, 2021) |
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Mar 29, 2021 · Texans in ERCOT's service area who lost electricity were without power for an average of 42 hours, according to the study. They had been told to prepare for short-term, rolling outages. by Neelam Bohra March 29, 20215 AM Central Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Last month’s disastrous and deadly winter storm impacted most Texans served by the state’s main power grid, with almost 70% of those people losing power in subfreezing temperatures and almost half experiencing a water outage, according to a new report from the University of Houston. And although Texans were told to prepare for ... Read more ... |
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick focuses scorn on Public Utility Commission after winter storm, testing Gov. Greg Abbott - Texastribune  (Mar 13, 2021) |
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Mar 13, 2021 · Abbott has previously directed much of the blame for the storm’s power outages on the state’s electrical grid operator. Abbott has previously directed much of the blame for the storm’s power outages on the state’s electrical grid operator. by Patrick Svitek March 12, 20216 PM Central by Patrick Svitek March 12, 20216 PM Central Ever since last month’s winter weather disaster, Gov. Greg Abbott has worked to lay blame squarely on the state’s electrical grid operator - despite the fact that it is overseen by the Abbott-appointed Public Utility Commission. Ever since last month’s winter weather disaster, Gov. Greg Abbott has worked to lay blame squarely on ... Read more ... |
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Oil and gas interests left to “self-regulate” in aftermath of winter storm as Texas politicians pile on to ERCOT - Texastribune  (Mar 05, 2021) |
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Mar 05, 2021 · Politically powerful natural gas production and transportation companies, along with their regulators, appear to have so far escaped the wrath of the governor and the Legislature in the aftermath of the Texas power outages. After being battered by withering criticism of its management of the power grid during last month’s winter storm, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas saw several of its board members resign and fired its CEO. The chair of the Public Utility Commission, which oversees the grid operator, was forced to resign. The political fallout from the long-lasting Texas power outages have hit both entities hard after Gov. Greg Abbott blamed ERCOT’s leadership ... Read more ... |
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Oil and gas interests left to “self-regulate” in aftermath of winter storm as Texas politicians pile on to ERCOT - Texastribune  (Mar 05, 2021) |
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Mar 05, 2021 · Politically powerful natural gas production and transportation companies, along with their regulators, appear to have so far escaped the wrath of the governor and the Legislature in the aftermath of the Texas power outages. After being battered by withering criticism of its management of the power grid during last month’s winter storm, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas saw several of its board members resign and fired its CEO. The chair of the Public Utility Commission, which oversees the grid operator, was forced to resign. The political fallout from the long-lasting Texas power outages have hit both entities hard after Gov. Greg Abbott blamed ERCOT’s leadership ... Read more ... |
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ERCOT, the nonprofit that operates and manages the Texas electrical grid fired CEO Bill Magness Wednesday night - Texastribune  (Mar 04, 2021) |
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Mar 04, 2021 · Bill Magness is the latest official to depart following the winter storm catastrophe. by Erin Douglas and Mitchell Ferman March 3, 202112 hours ago Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. The board overseeing the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the independent nonprofit entity that operates and manages the electricity grid that covers much of Texas, fired ERCOT CEO Bill Magness Wednesday night. The move by the board to vote in favor of a "60-day termination notice" came after they convened in a private executive session for more than three hours. The board barely discussed its ... Read more ... |
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U.S. House Oversight Committee investigating operator of Texas' power grid - Texastribune  (Mar 03, 2021) |
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Mar 03, 2021 · A subcommittee chair wrote in a letter to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas that the grid’s failures were “costly” and disproportionately affected low-income communities and communities of color. A U.S. House subcommittee is investigating the operator of Texas’ power grid for its role in leaving millions without electricity during the destructive winter storm that hammered the state two weeks ago. The storm, which killed dozens around the state, is expected to be the costliest natural disaster in Texas' history, even costlier than Hurricane Harvey, which inflicted $125 billion in damage. It is still too early to tally the total cost of the destruction. U.S. ... Read more ... |
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U.S. House Oversight Committee investigating operator of Texas' power grid - Texastribune  (Mar 03, 2021) |
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Mar 03, 2021 · A subcommittee chair wrote in a letter to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas that the grid’s failures were “costly” and disproportionately affected low-income communities and communities of color. A U.S. House subcommittee is investigating the operator of Texas’ power grid for its role in leaving millions without electricity during the destructive winter storm that hammered the state two weeks ago. The storm, which killed dozens around the state, is expected to be the costliest natural disaster in Texas' history, even costlier than Hurricane Harvey, which inflicted $125 billion in damage. It is still too early to tally the total cost of the destruction. U.S. ... Read more ... |
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick calls for resignations at Public Utility Commission, power grid operator over winter storm - Texastribune  (Mar 01, 2021) |
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Mar 01, 2021 · Patrick's statements come after the officials testified for hours late last week in committee hearings as state lawmakers grilled them over the power grid failures. Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Monday called for the resignations of Public Utility Commission Chair DeAnn Walker and Electric Reliability Council of Texas CEO Bill Magness, criticizing them for a lack of preparation ahead of the deadly winter storm that led to massive power outages across the state for multiple days. “Both the PUC Chair and the ERCOT CEO said they were prepared the day before the storm ... Read more ... |
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Griddy customers moved to other electricity providers after ERCOT boots it from Texas market - Texastribune  (Feb 27, 2021) |
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Feb 27, 2021 · Griddy made headlines for sending massive bills to customers after a winter storm sent wholesale electricity skyrocketing. by Neelam Bohra Feb. 26, 202110 PM Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Texans who receive their electricity from Griddy Energy are being shifted to other providers after the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which operates the power grid for most of Texas, revoked the company’s rights to operate because it missed required payments to ERCOT, according to a market notice. In all, Texas electricity providers failed to make more than $2.1 billion in payments that ... Read more ... |
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Rural Texas communities face long recoveries and stretched budgets without federal aid - Texastribune  (Feb 27, 2021) |
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Feb 27, 2021 · Debbie Gosnell, city manager of Cross Plains, said it could take months for her community to recover from the winter storm. Without approval for federal aid, Gosnell worries the town's budget will not cover the numerous broken pipes and damaged buildings. by Jackson Barton, Justin Dehn and Todd Wiseman Feb. 27, 20216 AM Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. For 33 years, Debbie Gosnell has served as the city manager of Cross Plains, which is 44 miles southeast of Abilene. She’s helped the Callahan County town of around 1,000 residents through tornados and a fire that she said nearly destroyed ... Read more ... |
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Texas workers struggle to pay for groceries and rent after losing wages during winter storm - Texastribune  (Feb 27, 2021) |
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Feb 27, 2021 · Many hourly wage employees across the state lost working hours last week during the storm and power outage disaster. Now, they’re left with a choice between paying for rent or groceries. by Duncan Agnew Feb. 27, 20215 AM Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Nearly a year ago, at the beginning of the pandemic, Hockley resident Roxanne Espinosa didn’t know how she and her husband would pay rent or feed their family. They decided to buy groceries and make a late payment to their landlord. Espinosa, who cares for their children full time, tried to file for rental assistance, but the process ... Read more ... |
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Another ERCOT board member resigns as lawmakers criticize power grid operator for massive electricity outages - Texastribune  (Feb 26, 2021) |
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Feb 26, 2021 · Texas lawmakers have questioned and criticized the Electric Reliability Council of Texas for days about the near-collapse of the state’s power grid last week. by Mitchell Ferman Feb. 26, 20211 PM Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Another Electric Reliability Council of Texas board member has resigned after a winter storm caused the near-collapse of the state’s power grid. Clifton Karnei, executive vice president of Brazos Electric Power Cooperative, is the seventh board member of the state’s power grid operator to quit this week. “We received word last night,” ERCOT spokeswoman ... Read more ... |
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Another ERCOT board member resigns as lawmakers criticize power grid operator for massive electricity outages - Texastribune  (Feb 26, 2021) |
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Feb 26, 2021 · Texas lawmakers have questioned and criticized the Electric Reliability Council of Texas for days about the near-collapse of the state’s power grid last week. Texas lawmakers have questioned and criticized the Electric Reliability Council of Texas for days about the near-collapse of the state’s power grid last week. by Mitchell Ferman Feb. 26, 20211 PM Central by Mitchell Ferman Feb. 26, 20211 PM Central Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Another Electric Reliability ... Read more ... |
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Over a million Texans are still without drinking water - Texastribune  (Feb 25, 2021) |
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Feb 25, 2021 · Plumbers and supplies to fix broken pipes are in high demand, but apartment complexes also present more difficulties than single-family homes when it comes to repairs. by Reese Oxner and Juan Pablo Garnham Feb. 24, 20216 PM Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. Over 1.4 million Texans still faced water disruptions on Wednesday afternoon, more than a week after Texas’ winter storms wreaked havoc on the state’s power grid and water services. More than 20,000 people were completely without running water Wednesday afternoon because of water main breaks, mechanical failures, frozen or broken ... Read more ... |
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Texas utility regulator to investigate indexed retail electric providers following massive electric bills - Texastribune  (Feb 25, 2021) |
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Feb 25, 2021 · While these plans are allowed under state law, the Texas Public Utility Commission said that “an influx of complaints into our Customer Protection Division has caused concerns that questionable business practices might be exacerbating the situation.” by Shawn Mulcahy Feb. 24, 20216 PM After hearing reports of some Texans receiving massive electrical bills, the state's utility regulator said it's investigating companies that offer their customers rates that fluctuate based on the spot price of wholesale electricity. The Public Utility Commission of Texas on Wednesday announced the probe into what are known as indexed retail electric providers. While these plans are ... Read more ... |
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Winter storm could cost Texas more money than any disaster in state history - Texastribune  (Feb 25, 2021) |
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Feb 25, 2021 · Lawmakers and analysts say it is too soon for an exact estimate, but the financial damage from the storm has left state lawmakers scrambling to account for the storm in the middle of the 2021 legislative session. by Mitchell Ferman Feb. 25, 20214 AM Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. The winter storm that left dozens of Texans dead, millions without power and nearly 15 million with water issues could be the costliest disaster in state history, potentially exceeding the $125 billion in damage from Hurricane Harvey. The deadly 2017 hurricane devastated the Gulf Coast region. Last week’s ... Read more ... |
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