ELECTRIC RELIABILITY COUNCIL OF TEXAS

The actions by the Public Utility Commission led to billions of dollars of overcharges, the Austin-based court found. It’s not yet clear if the ruling will affect consumers.

The idea, which still lacks some important details and could be changed by state lawmakers, would change how electricity is paid for in tight times. We explain it for everyday Texans.

The transmission system in the U.S. is a major problem because it is old and because it is not set up for energy systems of the future.

Thousands are accusing power companies, distribution companies, electric grid operators and others of failing to prepare properly for the February 2021 storm, creating a catastrophe.

Similar to a weather forecast, the new dashboard provides Texans with an idea of what supply and demand for energy will look like in the future.

The Public Utility Commission has about 200 employees but needs more to handle shoring up the state power grid and tackling an expanded list of regulatory duties, according to the state Sunset Advisory Commission.

Many people and insurers sued the Electric Reliability Council of Texas after the 2021 freeze. The nonprofit says it shouldn’t be liable. The state Supreme Court has a chance to weigh in.

An arctic storm that swept through the state bringing low temperatures and high winds also affected roughly two-thirds of the country’s population, according to the National Weather Service, bringing [San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

(Bloomberg) -- The US Energy Department declared a power emergency in Texas, citing a shortage of electricity as an Arctic winter blast causes power plants to fail. Most Read from BloombergChina Estimates Covid Surge Is Infecting 37 Million People a DayEastern US Power Grid Orders Cuts Amid System-Wide EmergencyAlameda’s Former CEO Ellison Said She, Bankman-Fried Misled FTX LendersPower Outages, Flight Delays as US Storm Leaves Trail of ChaosChina Is Likely Seeing 1 Million Covid Cases, 5,000 De

The U.S. Department of Energy granted permission for power plants to release more pollution than is normally allowed — if grid conditions worsen.

The U.S. Department of Energy granted permission for power plants to release more pollution than is normally allowed — if grid conditions worsen.

At least one person died in the freezing weather. High demand for electricity is forecast to continue into Saturday.

At least one person died in the freezing weather. High demand for electricity is forecast to continue into Saturday.

State officials warned residents Wednesday to prepare their homes and vehicles for the coming freeze while trying to reassure on-edge Texans that the electric grid will stay online.Temperatures are ex[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

State officials warned residents Wednesday to prepare their homes and vehicles for the coming freeze while trying to reassure on-edge Texans that the electric grid will stay online.Temperatures are ex[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

Gov. Greg Abbott and others say Texans should protect their homes and vehicles as the state will experience dangerously cold temperatures.

Gov. Greg Abbott and other leaders say Texans should protect their homes and vehicles as large portions of the state will experience dangerously cold temperatures.

Gov. Greg Abbott and other leaders say Texans should protect their homes and vehicles as large portions of the state will experience dangerously cold temperatures.

Gov. Greg Abbott and other leaders say Texans should protect their homes and vehicles as large portions of the state will experience dangerously cold temperatures.

Texas’ main power grid should have enough electricity later this week to keep customers warm amid bitter cold weather expected across large portions of the state.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas expects sufficient electricity generation as much of the state will plunge into frigid temperatures.

Texas is preparing for a deep winter freeze to settle in this week as the state's power grid operator assures the public that it will be able to meet demand.

An extended period of low temperatures below freezing, including Christmas, is forecast for the San Antonio area.

In a Monday committee hearing, lawmakers questioned whether a Public Utility Commission proposal to redesign Texas’ electricity market would lead to the building of more natural-gas-fired power plants. Regulators say it would.

In a Monday committee hearing, lawmakers questioned whether a Public Utility Commission proposal to redesign Texas’ electricity market would lead to the building of more natural-gas-fired power plants. Regulators say it would.

The state has enough generating capacity to handle anticipated system-wide peak demand this winter assuming “typical winter grid conditions,” according to a Seasonal Assessment of Resource Adequacy report released by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas on Nov. 29. The SARA report’s forecasted peak demand for this winter is 67,398 megawatts (MW), based on average of weather conditions during winter peaks for the years 2007 through 2021, with 2021 boosting the base forecast because of the extreme weather conditions that year. Vegas said this winter’s SARA outlook is much like last winter’s except that the peak demand forecast has increased about 5,000 MW, the result of growth in the state. Lake said that ahead of last winter new rules were implemented requiring generators across ERCOT’s grid to winterize and for those generators to be inspected regularly. ERCOT has developed and implemented a new firm-fuel product that guarantees access to enough fuel to generate nearly 3,000 MW as a way to bolster grid reliability going into winter, he said.

It's been almost two years since Winter Storm Uri left millions across Texas without power for days and resulted in the death of hundreds.

Changes to Texas’ power grid have improved ERCOT’s ability to keep power flowing during major winter storms, but in an extreme scenario, the grid could still face rolling blackouts, a seasonal assessment shows.

ERCOT officials said in a report released Tuesday that they believe they will have more than enough power generation to meet demand this winter.

The leaders of Texas’ top utilities say the grid is stable enough to handle the state’s demand for the winter season.

In the wake of the deadly 2021 winter storm, the Texas Legislature ordered an overhaul of the state’s power market to prevent future widespread blackouts. But some senators aren’t fans of the main option on the table.

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.

Customers of New Braunfels Utilities have seen high charges on their electricity bills this summer, causing widespread concern of how they will be able to keep up with increasing monthly payments.

A day after an historic storm dumped up to 15 inches of rain in Dallas, triggering flash floods that submerged vehicles and left at least one person dead, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the state is prepared to handle “extreme weather.”

As Texas gets at least a temporary reprieve this week from the heat, with a nice round of rain blanketing much of the state, the Old Farmer’s Almanac is predicting January will bring significant snowf[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas has named a non-Texan as its new CEO.

The state power grid operator has been run by an interim chief since the previous CEO was fired following the deadly 2021 winter storm that crashed much of the grid.

Locked in a potentially tight reelection race and facing criticism over the grid’s 2021 collapse, the governor is exerting unprecedented influence over what the state grid operator shares with the public — and who will be its next CEO.

While wind farms in the region could help power and lower energy costs for at least 9 million homes, significant infrastructure upgrades would be needed to supply electricity from the region to other parts of the state.

Texas grid operator remains confident it can handle record-breaking demand.

In the sweltering heat, Everett Grey on Wednesday wearily turned up their thermostat to help lessen the stress on the state’s electricity system.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

Cryptocurrency mining requires huge amounts of electricity, prompting concerns over the industry’s environmental impact — and whether the state’s grid can keep up.

The state’s energy provider has resorted to asking people to cut back on air conditioning, but bigger measures are needed to take pressure off the grid.

As extreme weather becomes increasingly frequent, Texans said the power grid operator’s calls to conserve energy were a reminder the state still struggles to keep up with the growing power demand.

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.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas listed a few tips to help Texans conserve energy and protect this summer.

Rolling blackouts aren't expected, but residents are asked to turn up thermostats and avoid using large appliances from 2-9 p.m. Wednesday.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas is urging Texans to conserve energy on Wednesday as triple-digit temperatures are once again in the forecast.

ERCOT is again calling for Texans to conserve energy Wednesday afternoon because of an ongoing heatwave. Currently, no system-wide outages are expected, Electric Reliability Council of Texas officials said in a statement. At noontime, Brownsville’s “feels like” temperature was 106 degrees, Harlingen’s was 105 degrees and McAllen’s was 106 degrees, according to the National Weather Service in Brownsville. Conservation is a strategy ERCOT has deployed more than four dozen times since 2008 to manage grid operations. ERCOT encouraged electric customers to visit the Public Utility Commission’s Power to Save or their electric provider’s websites to get important conservation tips.

Texans have been asked to turn up their thermostats and avoid using large appliances from 2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. The power grid operator said it does not expect rolling blackouts.

Texans have been asked to turn up their thermostats and avoid using large appliances from 2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. The power grid operator said it does not expect rolling blackouts.

Enjoying that A/C? Thank the mighty power of the sun and the renewable energy source keeping the grid afloat.

CPS Energy is making sure San Antonio conserves energy.

Experts and an eleventh-generation Texan give advice on how to ensure safety and comfort in extreme heat.

As San Antonio experiences the hottest temperatures ever seen, CPS Energy and city officials urge power conservation to prevent blackouts.

The Texas regulator projected a shortage in energy reserves on Monday "with no market solution available," but said it does not expect systemwide outages.

Record power demand with the extreme high temperatures across the state has led the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to issue an appeal to reduce power use between 2 and 8 p.m. today.

Texans are nervous about ERCOT's ability to meet demand following deadly outages during 2021's Winter Storm Uri, which left millions without power.

The state’s grid operator asked that Texans voluntarily reduce their power use on Monday, adding that no “system-wide outages” are expected.

ERCOT is urging Texas to conserve energy on Monday, as we are expected to see extreme temperatures again.

With an Excessive Heat Warning in effect for San Antonio Sunday and Monday, CPS Energy is encouraging customers to voluntarily reduce their electricity use, especially during the peak hours of 2 - 7 p.m.

The cost of electricity in Texas is tightly tied to the price of natural gas, which has more than doubled since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February.

The notice comes as ERCOT expects demand to break records.

Actor and Uvalde, Texas, native Matthew McConaughey, spoke at the White House press briefing on Tuesday and pushed for gun legislation, including minimum age for purchases of AR-15s and background checks. He called them “a step forward for a civil society and ... the Second Amendment.”

Texas Public Utility Commission Chair Peter Lake and ERCOT President Brad Jones said the power grid is prepared for record-breaking summer electricity demand.

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.

Climate change and other factors are shortening the window when aging Texas power plants can make necessary repairs to run at full strength in hot summer months.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas is asking Texans to conserve energy this weekend after six power generation facilities tripped offline Friday.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

With unseasonably hot weather conditions expected this weekend across Texas and demands for electricity to increase, ERCOT is asking residents to conserve energy this weekend. On Friday afternoon, six power generation facilities tripped offline resulting in the loss of approximately 2,900 MW of electricity. The highest temperatures in the Rio Grande Valley this weekend will be between 93 to 103 degrees. This will produce hot temperatures and no rain for the region. ERCOT, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, manages the flow of electric power to more than 26 million Texas customers, representing about 90 percent of the state’s electric load.

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.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas is asking Texans to conserve energy this weekend after six power generation facilities tripped offline.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] Breaking News, News, News - Mobile, News Alert San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas is asking electricity consumers to keep their thermostats at 78 degrees or above and avoid using large appliances between 3 and 8 p.m. from Friday through Sunday.

The first heat wave of the year is coming to Corpus Christi this Mother's Day Weekend. Here's what to know.

Temperatures across much of Texas could reach 100 or more, which will likely boost the demand for power through the weekend.

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.

The notice is set for Thursday morning into Friday.

Republicans for decades have overseen the energy sector in Texas, which still ranks 10th in the country for fossil fuel consumption.

In the state’s power grid, electricity and natural gas are co-dependent. Here’s how the winter storm last year broke the system.

Experts say it’s unclear whether changes mandated by Texas lawmakers to prevent widespread power outages like those last February made a significant difference during a weaker winter storm.

With the winter storm in play, here's how school districts in South Texas are preparing for the winter storm.

This week’s freezing weather isn’t expected to be as severe as last year’s storm. But Texans remain anxious about the electricity grid.

The weather is not expected to be as severe or last as long as last year’s freeze. Texas leaders do not expect systemwide blackouts, but they have warned that local power outages are possible throughout the state.

This week’s cold weather forecast triggers memories of the electricity blackouts that left millions in the dark during a polar vortex and killed hundreds of Texans last year. It’s triggering politicians’ memories, too, during the primary election.

Gov. Greg Abbott said he could not guarantee power would stay on throughout Texas this week, just two months after he promised the lights would stay on this winter.

With the height of the winter season approaching, here are some tips to prepare an emergency kit, protect your home and stay informed.

He's been heavily involved in positive public messaging about the grid’s winter readiness, but the data aren't rosy — and experts fear the grid could fail if there's another winter storm.

Chances are, winter weather won’t be as bad as it was last February. Chances are, Texas won’t have the electric blackouts that caused so much misery then. And chances are, whatever happens will have some influence on the 2022 elections.

As state regulators and the companies that power the grid take steps to avoid another catastrophe like February’s winter storm, climate experts say this winter will likely be milder.

Republican leaders defend their record on the power grid, pointing to more than a dozen laws passed during this year’s legislative session to address the grid’s reliability. Gov. Greg Abbott has staked his reputation on a promise that the lights won't go out this winter.

Natural gas powers the majority of electricity in Texas, especially during winter. Some power companies say the state’s gas system is not ready for another deep freeze.

Next year’s primary elections start a year after a winter storm knocked out power across Texas — and the government response to that disaster could be on voters’ minds.

Most voters approve of using state money to add border barriers between Texas and Mexico. But 57% disapprove of a new abortion law’s provision allowing lawsuits against people who help someone get the procedure.

The state Public Utility Commission adopted a rule — which experts first recommended a decade ago following a winter storm — requiring power companies to use “best efforts” to ensure plants can operate in the winter.

Oil and gas industry groups provided a list of names to the Railroad Commission for appointment to a council formed in response to the February power crisis. All four of the industry's top choices were selected.

A report from the state climatologist finds that the state is experiencing hotter days with less relief from high temperatures at night.

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.

The state plans to use past weather data to craft rules for power plant upgrades. Scientists warn that the accelerating effects of climate change make relying on old data alone insufficient.

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 state’s electricity regulators said they’re taking steps to assure a skeptical public that the power won’t go out again if Texas experiences extreme weather this summer.