TEXAS — Following the February winter storm that left thousands of Texans without power and claimed at least 200 lives, the Public Utility Commission of Texas has announced a statewide search is underway for eight new independent directors of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) governing board.

What You Need To Know

  • The Public Utility Commission of Texas has announced a search for eight people to serve as independent directors of the ERCOT governing board

  • Per a new law, the directors must live in Texas and will be selected by an outside consulting firm

  • Several ERCOT board members resigned following the near-total collapse of the Texas power grid during February’s winter storm

As mandated by Senate Bill 2, the PUC is using an outside consulting firm to conduct the search. The firm is Heidrick & Struggles.

“The 87th Texas Legislature provided clear direction on ERCOT governance reforms in Senate Bill 2,” PUC Chairman Peter Lake wrote in a news release announcing the search. “I am thankful state leadership selected such accomplished business leaders to designate the new ERCOT Board that will chart a new path to providing reliable power to Texans.”

Several ERCOT board members resigned just prior to the start of an investigation into the failure of the state power grid during the winter storm. Some of those board members did not reside in Texas.

A new law requires ERCOT board members live in Texas.

ERCOT operates Texas’ power grid, Texas Interconnection, which handles roughly 90% of the state’s power load.

In addition to the resignation of several ERCOT board members, CEO Bill Magness was fired in March of this year following the power loss incident.

Those interested in applying may send an email to ERCOTBoard@heidrick.com.