Texas Tribune: Texas’ last Public Utility Commission member resigns at Gov. Greg Abbott’s request

March 16 — Arthur D’Andrea was the only remaining member of the three-seat commission that regulates the state’s electric, telecommunication, water and sewer utilities.

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ABC 25: Texas energy crisis’ shows similarities to 1970s oil shortage

March 15 — The similarities between our deep freeze problems and the national shortage of gas and oil in the 1970s goes well below the surface.

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Houston Chronicle: This simple paperwork blunder left Texans cold during the deadly freeze

March 17 — When Texas lawmakers met last month to begin sifting through the wreckage of the state’s energy grid, many expected to hear tales of poorly insulated power plants rendered inoperable by the latest winter storm.

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KHOU 11: Family files lawsuit against CenterPoint after man dies during winter storm

March 16  — A Harris County family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against CenterPoint, saying it’s responsible for a man suffocating to death during February’s winter storm.

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Dallas Morning News: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wipes out Griddy customers’ electric bills totaling $29.1 million

March 16 — Customers who have already each paid thousands of dollars may also get some relief.

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FOX KDFW: Outgoing ERCOT CEO defends wholesale price surge

March 13 — Legislative investigations into the February power failure turned to the potential for more economic fallout.

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Wall Street Journal: Deregulation Aimed to Lower Home-Power Bills. For Many, It Didn’t.

March 8 — Retail energy companies compete with local utilities to give consumers more choice. But in nearly every state where they operate, retailers have charged more than regulated incumbents, a Wall Street Journal analysis found.

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Texas Tribune: Electricity repricing bill hits wall in House, marking first major schism with Senate this session

March 16 — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said the House “stood for big business” after Speaker Dade Phelan signaled skepticism about reversing billions of dollars in charges for wholesale electricity during last month’s winter storm.

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REUTERS: Texas House leader signals opposition to retroactive power price cuts

March 16 — The leader of the Texas House of Representatives on Tuesday signaled he would not support requiring the state’s grid operator to cut billions of dollars from electricity pricing during a cold snap that upended the state’s power market.

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FORBES: How The Texas Power Crisis Could Reshape Mexico’s Energy Policy

March 16 — “When Gov. Greg Abbott cut off natural gas that usually flows from Texas to Mexico on Feb. 17, the hoped-for result was meeting Texas’ skyrocketing demand and dwindling ability to supply it during the worst winter storm in decades.

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Bloomberg (Commentary): Texas Won’t Pick Energy Winners, Just Defend Losers

March 7 — New bills in the wake of February’s blackouts target expected reforms such as forcing power generators to weatherize equipment. Tucked in there, however, is House Bill 17. This would prohibit local authorities in Texas from discriminating against any kind of utility service or infrastructure based on the type of energy used. It doesn’t mention any form of energy in particular, but one detects a whiff of natural gas.

 

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