What’s changed since February 2021 to prevent another power grid failure? KSAT Explains
After 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.
Chainsaws and dry socks: Austinites step up for neighbors during ice storm
Friends 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.
ERCOT monitoring cold weather forecast to push through Texas
As a series of cold fronts are expected to pass through Texas, ERCOT officials report they are closely monitoring the weather forecast and models. According to ERCOT officials, ERCOT expects there to be sufficient generation to meet forecast demand and will continue to provide updates. As we monitor weather conditions, we want to assure Texans that the grid is resilient and reliable,” said Pablo Vegas, ERCOT president and CEO. Severe weather conditions in February 2021 nearly caused the electrical grid to collapse. The Texas Health and Human Services Department in a statistical report stated the deaths of at least 100 individuals were linked to the winter freeze.
myrgv.comGov. Greg Abbott touts Texas power grid’s readiness heading into fall, election season
The 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.
ERCOT CEO concerned about older machines’ reliability in Texas summer heat, report says
In 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.
For second time this week, ERCOT asks Texans, businesses to conserve energy
The Energy Reliability Council of Texas is once again asking Texans to conserve energy on Wednesday as record heat and high power demand continue across the state.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] Breaking News, News, News - Mobile, News Alert San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]
sanmarcosrecord.comERCOT issues conservation appeal for Monday, warns of projected capacity shortage
The Energy Reliability Council of Texas is asking Texans to conserve energy on Monday amid record heat and high power demand.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] Breaking News, News, News - Mobile, News Alert San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]
sanmarcosrecord.comERCOT says power shortage possible Monday, seeks conservation
The state’s power regulator warned late Sunday night of a “reserve capacity shortage” on Monday afternoon that could lead to some outages, and asked the public for conservation. The critical time for conservation will be from 2 to 8 p.m., ERCOT said in a news release. “Conservation is a reliability tool ERCOT has deployed more than four dozen times since 2008 to successfully manage grid operations. This notification is issued when projected reserves may fall below 2300 MW for 30 minutes or more,” the release states. “ERCOT continues to use all tools available to manage the grid effectively and reliably, including using reserve power and calling upon large electric customers who have volunteered to lower their energy use,” the release added.
myrgv.comEx-ERCOT chief testifies that Gov. Abbott’s order led to energy price hike during storm: report
While 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.
Winter storm issues exposed a cascade of scandals at CPS Energy in 2021
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.
Analysis: Betting a Texas election on a weather forecast
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.
Texas grid vulnerable to blackouts during severe winter weather, even with new preparations, ERCOT estimates show
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.
Commissioners look at replacement for West Kerr Annex building
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
dailytimes.comKerr County Junior Livestock Show hosts fundraiser dinner
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
dailytimes.comCircle of Service fundraiser celebrates 34th annual event
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
dailytimes.com5K run for Riverside Nature Center draws big crowd
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
dailytimes.comCOVID-19 numbers at KISD shows improvement
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
dailytimes.comTexFest with music, food and fun
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
dailytimes.comCommunity rallies around COVID-19 stricken family
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
dailytimes.comPeterson Rehab names Patient of the Year
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
dailytimes.com4 things we’ve learned since February’s deadly winter storm
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.
ERCOT will have to release information about power plant outages quicker — but it may not detail what causes them
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.