Connecting the Lone Star State's stand-alone grid would spur development of solar and wind in rural areas, sweetening the post for some Republicans, the San Antonio-Austin congressman said.
ERCOT has called on generators to push all available electricity to the grid as rising demand threatens to surpass the state’s power supply. If that fails, rolling blackouts are likely to begin.
Record-high power demand and faltering electricity sources have tested the grid in the past month, forcing the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to dig deep into its toolbox to keep power flowing.
Also among this week's most-read news was Ron Nirenberg's announcement that San Antonio might experience rolling blackouts on Thursday — a warning that fortunately was not borne out.
Gov. Greg Abbott and other leaders say Texans should protect their homes and vehicles as large portions of the state will experience dangerously cold temperatures.
In a Monday committee hearing, lawmakers questioned whether a Public Utility Commission proposal to redesign Texas’ electricity market would lead to the building of more natural-gas-fired power plants. Regulators say it would.