The Texas Freeze had a lasting effect on the Texas Freeze for 2021. This week marks the second anniversary of its occurrence.
Winter Storm Uri crippled Texas with temperatures of as low as 6° Fahrenheit. Many parts of Texas experienced power outages due to the abnormally cold temperatures. The grid was unable to handle the energy demand.
Many Texans were left without heat or lighting. It was, at best, inconvenient and, at worst, life-threatening, but it left many wondering what went wrong.
Weak infrastructure was the cause. Texas is not investing enough in the grid and other critical energy sources. What about alternative energies?
This article will explore the key issues surrounding the Texas Freeze of 2021:
- The Texas Freeze: Major Results
- Recent Legislation
- Is the Electric Reliability Council of Texas prepared for future crises?
- What Governor Abbott does to prevent a regional meltdown
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What happened to the Texas Freeze of 2021?
Winter Storm Uri hit Texas in February 2021 and brought subfreezing temperatures to the state. We must remember the events of the storm and what led to those deadly blackouts as its second anniversary approaches.
First, Abbott declared a state of emergency following the Winter Storm Uri. The damage was devastating.
- In Texas, 69% of the population lost electricity. The outages lasted an average of 42 hours.
- After critical medical equipment went out of power, hundreds died from hypothermia or carbon monoxide intoxication.
- Uri, with its $195 Billion damages, was the most costly natural disaster in Texas history.
- Some Texans have seen their electric bills rise to $17,000.
- Profits for methane gas producers were around 11 billion. Texas residents are going to be paying these gas companies back for the next 30 years.
[Related to Austin Resident weathers ice storm and gives meaning to “Live more Powerfully”]
What’s the Legislation got to do with it?
On January 31, 2022, Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bills 2 and 3 into law. The bills were designed for two main purposes:
- Reform ERCOT
- Weatherize the power grid of the state to make it more reliable
Abbott was joined by Senators Charles Schwertner, Kelly Hancock, and Representative Chris Paddie.
SIGNED LEGISLATION – KEY AREA
Texas requires that energy companies weatherize their natural gas, electricity generation, and transmission systems to handle extreme temperatures better.
These facilities must be inspected by the Texas Railroad Commission (TRC) and ERCOT. They could be fined up to $1,000,000 if they do not weatherize the facilities.
The bills have also sparked the “Power Outage Alert”: When the power supply in Texas cannot meet the current demand, residents of Texas receive an alert. The Texas Energy Reliability Council is also working to improve the way state agencies and industry work together in extreme weather situations, such as power outages.
This Legislation contributes also to major ERCOT Reforms. ERCOT, for example, must have eight members who are fully independent within its 11-member board. All members must reside in Texas. It influences the way ERCOT members make important decisions in the best interest of Texas.
This Legislation is a good step, but there needs to be more focus on clean, alternative energy sources in order to keep the grid resilient.
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Is Alternative Energy the Answer?
Winter Storm Uri is linked to climate change, according to growing scientific evidence.
Storms could have been caused by the polar vortex, which brought arctic temperatures to Texas. It also froze gas supplies. Extreme temperatures may also have affected the grid’s capacity – and Global warming is a serious threat to grid resilience. Droughts could have dried up water bodies that are necessary for coal, nuclear, and gas plants to operate.
We must abandon fossil fuels as a primary source of energy. We need to act quickly.
Texas can achieve energy resilience through alternative energy, including wind and solar power.
Please read our article for more information about why clean energy should be at the forefront of Texas energy laws. Freedom Solar Power’s CEO Bret Biggart provides a unique perspective on how Texas’ energy industry must “coexist and adapt” together.