Spectrum News: Is Texas missing an opportunity by skipping the Glasgow climate change summit?
Oct. 27 — In Texas, Abbott seemed to see things differently, although many argue that the Lone Star State, like Louisiana, is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the economic development opportunities that could come with the transition to cleaner energy.
–See The Report
Spectrum News: Texas energy expert: “I do not have confidence we are ready for this winter”
Oct. 26 — The Public Utility Commission approved a new rule requiring power companies to better prepare for winter weather. They’re based on recommendations from 2011 that were never acted upon. The rule also requires power plants to fix “acute” issues from the February 2021 winter storm that left millions without power.
— See The Report
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (Commentary): PUC’s rule one step in long, complicated process
Oct. 27 — As Texas braces for the approaching winter, utility regulators moved last week to approve a rule requiring power companies to better prepare for the conditions, according to a story from the Texas Tribune. That this action follows recommendations made but never implemented a decade ago is indeed unfortunate.
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News4 San Antonio: New legislation proposed to protect you from price gouging by natural gas providers
Oct. 27 — The Gas Consumer Emergency Market Protection Act was authored by Congressman Joaquin Castro and Congressman Lloyd Doggett. According to Castro‘s office, this bill would identify those who unfairly profited from the Texas winter storm and put safeguards to prevent any future entity from price gouging during an emergency.
— See The Report
Utility Dive: Sophisticated hackers could crash the US power grid, but money, not sabotage, is their focus
Oct. 28 — For now, the capability remains in the hands of nation-state actors. But “sophistication can ultimately be bought,” EEI Vice President for Security and Preparedness Scott Aaronson said.
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Amarillo Globe News (Commentary): Improvements to natural gas supply chain underway
Oct. 23 — Vast improvements, particularly in communications, have been made since Winter Storm Uri to better prepare the natural gas supply chain for the winter season in Texas. The oil and natural gas industry has been working with a sense of urgency to improve the readiness of the system.
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Texas Standard: What to expect from next week’s United Nations Climate Change Conference
Oct. 25 — The 26th-annual meeting convenes Sunday in Glasgow, and a primary goal is to get all countries to agree to “net zero” emissions by 2050.
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KXAN: US regulators endorse efforts to address climate risks
Oct. 21 — The Financial Stability Oversight Council, which is headed by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and includes Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, acknowledged in a report that climate change is a serious economic threat.
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Texas Standard: Texas public utility commission approves new weatherization rules for power generators
Oct. 22 — Many of the rules stem from the 2011 freeze that caused widespread power outages. The 2021 freeze and subsequent outages killed hundreds.
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Reform Texas: Winter is Coming, You May be Ready, but ERCOT May Not Be
Oct. 22 — According to the Energy Information Administration, over half of U.S. homeowners that heat their homes primarily with natural gas may expect to pay 30% more on their bills this year over last. The organization also stated that if the winter is 10% colder than usual, rates will be 50% higher, and bills will be 22% higher if the winter is 10% warmer than average.
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Texas Tribune: Power companies required to better prepare plants for winter in first phase of rule approved by Texas regulators
Oct. 21 — 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.
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Utility Dive: FERC’s Glick urges power plant owners to line up fuel supplies as gas prices soar
Oct. 22 — Increasing liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports are contributing to rising U.S. natural gas prices by decreasing domestic supply, which could have a major effect on New England’s energy markets this winter, according to FERC staff.