Why Texas’ mass power outages continue to happen

Repairing electricity infrastructure after storms usually costs customers. So could strengthening it before the next weather event.

by Emily Foxhall and Alejandra Martinez, The Texas Tribune July 18, 2024June 9, 2025

Repairing electricity infrastructure after storms usually costs customers. So could strengthening it before the next weather event.

News

U.S. Rep. Casar says rural GOP support can help pass his bill to connect Texas’ grid

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.

by Sanford Nowlin February 22, 2024September 24, 2024

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U.S. Rep. Greg Casar files bill to connect Texas power grid to rest of the nation

Casar, who represents San Antonio and Austin, said the move could prevent future catastrophes such as Winter Storm Uri.

by Sanford Nowlin February 14, 2024January 18, 2025

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Texans asked to conserve energy Monday as expected demand likely to put strain on electric grid

Public Utility Commission says conservation will help lower demand during peak times and help avoid emergency conditions.

by Alejandro Serrano and Emily Foxhall, The Texas Tribune January 15, 2024September 13, 2024

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How ERCOT is narrowly getting through an extreme summer — and how experts say it could do better

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.

by Emily Foxhall, The Texas Tribune September 3, 2023December 13, 2023

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The governor’s grid gambit

Texas utility regulators are hawking a convoluted and costly policy for grid reliability — despite strong resistance from energy experts and even big business.

by Justin Miller, The Texas Observer February 19, 2023September 18, 2024

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Texas lawmakers ask state agency to delay power market redesign until after 2023 legislative session

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.

by Erin Douglas, The Texas Tribune December 6, 2022December 29, 2024

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Texas grid still vulnerable to extreme winter weather, ERCOT estimate shows

Changes to Texas’ power grid have improved ERCOT’s ability to keep power flowing during major winter storms, but in an extreme scenario, the grid could still face rolling blackouts, a seasonal assessment shows.

by Erin Douglas, The Texas Tribune November 30, 2022December 29, 2024

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Texas energy officials’ proposal to overhaul the power grid is drawing skepticism

In the wake of the deadly 2021 winter storm, the Texas Legislature ordered an overhaul of the state’s power market to prevent future widespread blackouts. But some senators aren’t fans of the main option on the table.

by Joshua Fechter, The Texas Tribune November 20, 2022January 10, 2025

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Car Wash Thieves, Beto O’Rourke: The top 10 headlines in San Antonio this week

Strangely, our most-read story involved a carwash owner venting on TikTok about a burglary at his business.

by San Antonio Current Staff July 15, 2022August 3, 2023

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Texans asked to conserve energy to protect the power grid for the second time in a week

Texans have been asked to turn up their thermostats and avoid using large appliances from 2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. The power grid operator said it does not expect rolling blackouts.

by Mitchell Ferman, The Texas Tribune July 13, 2022August 21, 2023

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Texas residents told to cut electricity use Monday or face potential for rolling blackouts

Texans are nervous about ERCOT’s ability to meet demand following deadly outages during 2021’s Winter Storm Uri, which left millions without power.

by Sanford Nowlin July 11, 2022September 7, 2023

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Best of San Antonio Nominations are Now Live

Texas electrical grid

Why Texas’ mass power outages continue to happen

U.S. Rep. Casar says rural GOP support can help pass his bill to connect Texas’ grid

U.S. Rep. Greg Casar files bill to connect Texas power grid to rest of the nation

Texans asked to conserve energy Monday as expected demand likely to put strain on electric grid

How ERCOT is narrowly getting through an extreme summer — and how experts say it could do better

The governor’s grid gambit

Texas lawmakers ask state agency to delay power market redesign until after 2023 legislative session

Texas grid still vulnerable to extreme winter weather, ERCOT estimate shows

Texas energy officials’ proposal to overhaul the power grid is drawing skepticism

Texans asked to conserve energy to protect the power grid for the second time in a week

Texas residents told to cut electricity use Monday or face potential for rolling blackouts

A year after February ice storm, new data shows Texas natural gas providers still not ready for freeze

Energy industry showers Gov. Greg Abbott, other Texas politicians with campaign cash after they passed power grid bills

Daily Beast editor torches Ted Cruz with four words after his rant against Anthony Fauci

As Texas raises death toll from February freeze, a study suggests lawmakers didn’t fix root cause

Twitter rips Ted Cruz over awkward video where he recites Pledge of Allegiance, claims its ‘controversial’

Rick Perry saying Texans prefer blackouts to regulations is only his latest dumbass remark