ERCOT

ERCOT, 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.

After 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.

Texas 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.

After 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.

Keep your coats nearby. We're not out of winter weather just yet.

The 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.

In 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.

Gov. Greg Abbott will hold a news conference following his briefing with statewide officials about the response to the second day of the winter storm.

Watch live here.

In 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.

Texas faces a new winter storm a year after a deadly freeze left millions without power. Here’s the latest.

Although this week’s strong cold front won’t be as extreme as last year's freeze, families should still prepare.

From the winter storm and the Astroworld tragedy to new Texas laws and trash diving in the River Walk, these are the stories y’all read most this year.

While 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.

In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Mitchell, James and Karen about the status of the power grid and the pandemic heading into winter.

Gov. 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.

We want to hear from Texans about how this catastrophic event is still affecting their lives.

The 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.

CPS Energy has completed about a third of all the winterization recommendations made to it by the CEP, a CPS Energy official said Monday.

A huge swath of

You don’t want to miss the next Dynamic Learning Institute session, 2-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, at Dietert Center.

Congressman Chip Roy was the guest speaker at this month’s meeting of the Hill Country Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars, which took place Sept. 14 the

The cities of Kerrville and Ingram, and Kerr County, received more sales tax revenue this month than in any previous September.

The man accused of killing Terry Ingram and Patricia Kutzer near Comfort in 2003 is set for a jury trial this week at the Kerr County Courthouse.

I will do my part to conserve household energy usage, even if I'm uncomfortable in my home. It is too hot to conserve household energy usage. I already conserve, even before ERCOT requested it. Maybe, depending on the reason ERCOT provides and whether or not I am home during that time. VoteView Results

I will do my part to conserve household energy usage, even if I'm uncomfortable in my home. It is too hot to conserve household energy usage. I already conserve, even before ERCOT requested it. Maybe, depending on the reason ERCOT provides and whether or not I am home during that time. VoteView Results

The Kerr County Stockshow Association will present its 38th annual fundraiser today (Saturday, Sept. 25) at the Hill Country Youth Event Center, 3785 Texas 27 in Kerrville.

At 9 a.m. sharp Friday morning outside the front doors of the Y.O. Ranch Hotel and Restaurant, Kerrville resident Roger “Cowboy” Mead addressed the thirty-some-odd U.S. military veterans gathered for

The Kerr Economic Development Corporation, a private nonprofit that works to ensure diversified economic growth for new and existing businesses in Kerr County, announced it received four top communication awards

Schreiner University announced at a press conference on Friday that they will receive a $5 million grant for a five-year science, technology, engineering and mathematics grant from the Texas Department

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha has formed a new team at his agency: the Special Operations Division, headed by Lt. Jason Waldrip, a former state trooper.

Schreiner University announced they will receive a $5 million grant for a five-year science, technology, engineering and mathematics grant from the Texas Department of Education.

It was hard to miss Jimmy Ray Wong’s setup in the Walmart parking lot.

The Kerrville Daily Times has partnered with SouthStar Bank to launch a campaign to honor U.S. military veterans in Kerr County. The campaign is expected to draw a lot of

The Healing Hearts Fiesta Style Show Luncheon and Auction fundraiser brought in more than $30,000, plus proceeds from tickets and the silent and live auctions for the Hill Country Youth

Cub Scout packs serving families in Kerrville will hold their annual Fall Signup at two elementary schools in Kerrville Independent School District, Nimitz and Starkey Elementary school cafeterias.

Eugene “Gene” Dowdy has accepted the position of Director of Music for Schreiner University.

I will do my part to conserve household energy usage, even if I'm uncomfortable in my home. It is too hot to conserve household energy usage. I already conserve, even before ERCOT requested it. Maybe, depending on the reason ERCOT provides and whether or not I am home during that time. VoteView Results

I will do my part to conserve household energy usage, even if I'm uncomfortable in my home. It is too hot to conserve household energy usage. I already conserve, even before ERCOT requested it. Maybe, depending on the reason ERCOT provides and whether or not I am home during that time. VoteView Results

Criticism for Gov. Greg Abbott’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the influx of migrants at the southern U.S. border abounded at an event held over the weekend at the

A court on Monday ordered the city of Ingram’s secretary, Stephanie Breckenridge, to testify under oath in ongoing litigation involving a wastewater system project.

I will do my part to conserve household energy usage, even if I'm uncomfortable in my home. It is too hot to conserve household energy usage. I already conserve, even before ERCOT requested it. Maybe, depending on the reason ERCOT provides and whether or not I am home during that time. VoteView Results

Kerr County has initiated a campaign to convince voters of the need to borrow money for various capital projects, such as a renovated indoor arena at the Hill Country Youth

A 29-year-old Kerrville woman was in the county jail Friday on suspicion of striking a police officer with a baton and biting another officer.

For those families whose loved ones are still missing in action, there’s still hope for closure, according to a guest speaker at a Friday ceremony to honor POW/MIA Recognition Day.

I will do my part to conserve household energy usage, even if I'm uncomfortable in my home. It is too hot to conserve household energy usage. I already conserve, even before ERCOT requested it. Maybe, depending on the reason ERCOT provides and whether or not I am home during that time. VoteView Results

I will do my part to conserve household energy usage, even if I'm uncomfortable in my home. It is too hot to conserve household energy usage. I already conserve, even before ERCOT requested it. Maybe, depending on the reason ERCOT provides and whether or not I am home during that time. VoteView Results

I will do my part to conserve household energy usage, even if I'm uncomfortable in my home. It is too hot to conserve household energy usage. I already conserve, even before ERCOT requested it. Maybe, depending on the reason ERCOT provides and whether or not I am home during that time. VoteView Results

I will do my part to conserve household energy usage, even if I'm uncomfortable in my home. It is too hot to conserve household energy usage. I already conserve, even before ERCOT requested it. Maybe, depending on the reason ERCOT provides and whether or not I am home during that time. VoteView Results

I will do my part to conserve household energy usage, even if I'm uncomfortable in my home. It is too hot to conserve household energy usage. I already conserve, even before ERCOT requested it. Maybe, depending on the reason ERCOT provides and whether or not I am home during that time. VoteView Results

Both locations of Rita’s Famous Tacos closed briefly due to a lawsuit between two sisters struggling over ownership of the long-running local business.

Kerr County Sheriff’s Office, acting with numerous other state and local agencies, completed a multi-day operation to interdict online child predators in Kerr County on Wednesday. Five suspects were arrested

The Kerrville Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting applications for a Kerrville holiday tradition — the 20th Annual Holiday Lighted Parade.

Kerrville company Morris Strategic Communications won a bid to create a new website for Kerr County.

American Legion auxiliary members made cookies for first responders in commemoration of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

A 42-year-old Kerrville felon was jailed in Kerrville for the 11th time, this time on suspicion of trying to stab someone with a knife.

Three military-related service organizations donated a total of $600 to Tivy High School’s Air Force Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program over the weekend, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of

A 20-year-old Kerrville ex-con, who was convicted of drunk driving last month while not authorized to drive, was accused of felony DWI and causing a crash that sent his passenger

Although two people pleaded guilty to hiding data on a cell phone examined during a homicide investigation, an analysis of the deleted information did not indicate they were involved in

Not two months into his new role as Kerr County’s new sheriff, Larry Leitha was faced with the largest public safety challenge in recent — perhaps living — memory for

Of the 210 deaths in Texas attributed to Winter Storm Uri earlier this year, one of them occurred in Kerr County, according to a list of deaths kept by the

An establishment that will feature recreational hatchet-throwing lanes is set to open Oct. 1, at River Hills Mall.

A skateboarder climbed the roof of a pavilion at a rest area Tuesday morning, skated off the roof, landed on his back and couldn’t get up, according to EMS radio

I will do my part to conserve household energy usage, even if I'm uncomfortable in my home. It is too hot to conserve household energy usage. I already conserve, even before ERCOT requested it. Maybe, depending on the reason ERCOT provides and whether or not I am home during that time. VoteView Results

I will do my part to conserve household energy usage, even if I'm uncomfortable in my home. It is too hot to conserve household energy usage. I already conserve, even before ERCOT requested it. Maybe, depending on the reason ERCOT provides and whether or not I am home during that time. VoteView Results

I will do my part to conserve household energy usage, even if I'm uncomfortable in my home. It is too hot to conserve household energy usage. I already conserve, even before ERCOT requested it. Maybe, depending on the reason ERCOT provides and whether or not I am home during that time. VoteView Results

It’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.

Airing at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17: A special collaboration between KSAT Explains and the Defenders

Senate bills 2 and 3 were heralded by Texas Gov. Abbott as the antidote to February’s deadly power outages. Here’s what they do.

The 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.

The 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.

The 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.

On 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.

“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.”

A 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.

This Texas heat has been barbecuing us all, especially with the recent ERCOT news. The heat has been so bad that it’s got everyone in a heated mood.

The 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.

As ERCOT asks Texans to conserve energy and take it easy on the AC, you can help keep cool by using that ceiling fan.

A 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.

The 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.

The City of San Antonio has opened cooling centers across town for residents needing shelter from the heat.

A Conservation Alert was issued Monday advising that the demand for energy was getting close to the state’s energy supply level.

Gov.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.

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, named former executive Brad Jones on Tuesday to be interim president and CEO.

For 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.

The 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.

The 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.

As 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.

In 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.

As the updated death toll from February’s winter storm reached 111 deaths last week, the severity of its full force has continued to come into focus. AdThe Electric Reliability Council of Texas manages the state’s main power grid, which represents 90% of Texas’ electric load and serves more than 26 million customers, according to the agency. Black Texans were “modestly more likely” to have lost power than white Texans, according to the study. The company wants lawmakers to create a revenue stream to Berkshire through an additional charge on Texans’ power bills. Ad“In 2011, when we were asking questions about that winter storm, we were receiving promises and commitments that winterization would occur so that sort of thing wouldn't happen again,” he said.

Congress is looking into the cause of the power blackouts across Texas last month. A House panel planned to hear Wednesday, March 24, 2021, from officials who oversee the state's energy industry and electric grid. (AP Photo/LM Otero File)DALLAS – Congress is looking into last month’s massive and deadly power outages across Texas and questioning officials who oversee the state’s energy industry and electric grid. After outages in February 2011, Robb’s group recommended that Texas power plants needed better protection against winter storms. AdHouston Mayor Sylvester Turner said the Texas grid was designed for peak summer heat, and policymakers wrongly believed that the 2011 severe winter storm was an anomaly.

A PUC spokesperson said Walker was “ceaselessly” on the phone, calling Nye about dozens of natural gas facilities that weren't on Oncor’s “critical” list. “There were phone calls every day.”By Wednesday, Feb. 17, natural gas supply in the state hit its lowest point during the storm, experts said. The Texas Energy Reliability Council — a voluntary body with no regulatory authority — usually meets twice a year. AdReliance on electricity, however, made the state’s electric power system a loop rather than a chain: Electricity relied on natural gas production, and natural gas production relied on electricity. So when demand for natural gas spiked during the frigid weather, homes got natural gas and some power plants didn’t, he said.

As temperatures plunged and snow and ice whipped the state, much of Texas' power grid collapsed, followed by its water systems. Currently, the Texas power market operates as “energy-only,” which encourages scarcity because generators are paid only when they provide power. “I absolutely think that the decision to deregulate Texas’ power grid was a mistake. At the state level, Texas should have created some type of emergency fund or plan to prepare for a winter storm. “By deregulating Texas’ power grid from others in the U.S. state leaders left us vulnerable and literally in the dark.

Bexar County Judge Nelson WolffWhat could have been done differently at the local level to better prepare for and respond to the deadly storm? “ERCOT, the manager of the state energy grid, forced CPS Energy to shed load during the long freeze event, which was the root cause of the outages in our community. We must also examine backup generators for water pumping stations.”AdDo you believe state leaders’ decision to deregulate Texas’ power grid was a mistake? “The deregulation of the state power grid answers the call of a market-based economy. We need: better communication; better coordination; and better preparation.

The company that drew attention after sending huge electricity bills to customers after last month’s blackout-causing winter storm in Texas has filed for bankruptcy protection. Its rates skyrocketed during the February deep freeze, when state grid operators raised wholesale prices. The company blamed its situation on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which operates the power grid in most of the state. Griddy’s bankruptcy plan proposes to waive claims against customers for charges they incurred from Feb. 15 through Feb. 19, while the $9,000 per megawatt hour price for wholesale power was in effect. Griddy is the third company to seek bankruptcy protection due to the storm, after Brazos Electric Power Cooperative Inc. and Canadian natural gas provider Just Energy Group.

SAN ANTONIO – CPS Energy on Friday sued the Electric Reliability Council of Texas after an independent monitor for the Public Utility Commission reported the grid managers overcharged power companies during the winter storm. In the lawsuit, CPS Energy accused ERCOT of not paying what it owes to the San Antonio utility. “ERCOT has short paid approximately $2.5 billion to the market participants, and at least $18 million is owed to CPS Energy for the Winter Storm Event,” according to the court filing. “CPS Energy is taking this action to defend its customers. Price charts for the natural gas spot market show natural gas increased nearly two-fold Feb. 11, before spiking Feb. 17.

Lubbock officials initially planned to join ERCOT once its 15-year-long contract with Xcel Energy, a member of the Southwestern Public Service Company, expires. Spencer lives in Lubbock, one of the few areas of the state not connected to Texas’ independent power grid. AdThe failures of Texas’ independent power grid have led to some counties mulling a way out. Lubbock officials initially planned to join ERCOT once its 15-year-long contract with Xcel Energy, a member of the Southwestern Public Service Company, expires. Lubbock City Councilperson Jeff Griffith he still feels confident Lubbock will move forward with the plans to join ERCOT.

Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune​The state’s energy grid operator overcharged power companies by roughly $3 billion after the winter storm, the chairman of Texas’ utility regulator said Thursday, pushing back on a previous report from an agency watchdog that said the companies were overcharged by $16 billion. But a letter submitted Thursday by Potomac Economics repeated that ERCOT overcharged companies by $16 billion. AdIt is still unclear whether and how this overcharge directly affects Texas electricity customers, however many power companies have taken a significant financial hit. In Texas, wholesale power prices are determined by supply and demand: When demand is high, ERCOT allows prices to go up. During the storm, the PUC directed the grid operator to set wholesale power prices at $9,000 per megawatt-hour — the maximum price.