TEXAS — As residents continue to criticize Texas’ power grid and Gov. Greg Abbott’s efforts to affect change, the heat has finally reached the governor as he releases a list of demands expected of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).

What You Need To Know

  • Gov. Abbot releases list of demands for PUC and ERCOT to follow immediately

  • Two bills were signed during the 2021 legislative sessions to prevent future power grid failures

  • Texas residents were concerned with the effectiveness of those bills and still faced issues with ERCOT's demands to conserve energy

In 2021’s legislative session, Gov. Abbott signed two bills aimed at the prevention of any further power grid failures, in turn, increasing PUC and ERCOT’s reliability. The bills’ key focus was “weatherization,” requiring an upgrade to power generators and transmission lines to prepare for any “extreme weather” as well as a change in ERCOT’s governance. Failure to adhere to the “weatherization” regulation, could result in a fine up to $1 million, according to Abbott.

However, concern still grew amongst residents as ERCOT issued demands for a conservancy of energy, although temperatures were and are still rising. Some residents even stated their thermometers were being remotely adjusted.

In the governor’s letter of demands, he says in part, “While these laws significantly reform Texas’ energy and electric power market, more can be done to increase power generation capacity and to ensure the reliability of the Texas power grid.”

Abbott goes on to say the following items are to be adopted immediately. Below is a list of his demands:

  • Streamline incentives within the ERCOT market to foster the development and maintenance of adequate and reliable sources of power, like natural gas, coal, and nuclear power.
  • Allocate reliability costs to generation resources that cannot guarantee their own availability, such as wind or solar power.
  • Instruct ERCOT to establish a maintenance schedule for natural gas, coal, nuclear, and other non-renewable electricity generators to ensure that there is always an adequate supply of power on the grid to maintain reliable electric service for all Texans.
  • Order ERCOT to accelerate the development of transmission projects that increase connectivity between existing or new dispatchable generation plants and arcas of need.

“The objective of these directives is to ensure that all Texans have access to reliable, safe, and affordable power, and that this task is achieved in the quickest possible way. Taking the actions outlined above will help achieve that goal as well as ensure that there is sufficient electric generation to meet the needs of the state's growing population and booming economy.” Abbott says. “These immediate actions are in addition to any proposed changes resulting from the 87th regular legislative session, your workgroups, and the forthcoming Texas Energy Reliability Council.”

With these immediate changes, Abbott is working to assist PUC and ERCOT in regaining the trust of Texans.

Click here for the full letter.

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