Austin American-Statesman: Dips in natural gas production could be a concern for Texas power grid, ERCOT chief says
Jan. 28 — The top executive of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas said he’s concerned that declines in natural gas production when temperatures dipped below freezing earlier this month might point to a continuing vulnerability of the state’s power grid, because many power plants rely on natural gas as fuel.
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San Antonio Report: CPS Energy appeals dismissal of lawsuit against ERCOT
Jan. 27 — In late December, a three-justice panel of the 4th Court of Appeals dismissed the suit CPS Energy filed against the Electric Reliability Council of Texas in the wake of February’s winter storm. The panel found that the municipally owned utility should have first exhausted its claims with the Public Utilities Commission, which oversees ERCOT, prior to filing suit. The panel also agreed with ERCOT’s claims that the grid operator is a “governmental unit,” which prevents it from being sued.
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Texas Standard: Railroad Commission is failing to regulate deadly H2S ‘sour’ gas, according to Report
Jan. 31 — In West Texas oil fields, a rotten egg smelling gas is commonly released from the oil wells. It’s hydrogen sulfide and it’s as lethal as it is smelly. The Texas Railroad’s Commission is supposed to license these “sour wells” but a new report says Texas is failing to adequately regulate these sites and the toxic emissions that can have deadly consequences.
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KCEN: A cause for concern? Texas natural gas providers aren’t facing weatherization requirements
Jan. 31 — Gas production companies, which provide generators the natural gas they need to operate still aren’t facing any state requirements. The Texas Railroad Commission has yet to provide those requirements.
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Bloomberg: Texas Grid ‘Well Prepared’ for Demand From Storm, Governor Says
Feb. 1 — The Texas grid operator is ready to handle any increased energy demand due to the winter storm that’s set to strike the U.S. state this week, Governor Greg Abbott said.
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Utility Dive: A year after widespread blackouts, Texas grid prepares for looming winter freeze
Feb. 1 — A cold front will move across parts of the U.S. South and Texas on Wednesday, according to Weather.com, potentially spiking electricity demand and worrying some utility customers that they could see a repeat of widespread blackouts that left more than 100 dead in a winter storm a year ago this month.
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WFAA: Don’t panic, but be prepared: Energy experts and ERCOT expect power to stay on during this week’s freeze
Jan. 30 — A weekend in Dallas-Fort Worth that saw two 70-degree days is going to transition to temperatures in the teens by week’s end — and that will give Texas’ energy grid its first major test.
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My SA: This ERCOT dashboard allows you to track energy supply forecasts throughout Texas
Jan. 21 — The Electric Reliability Council of Texas has built a digital array for customers looking for information on electricity availability and demand around the Lone Star State.