The latest Texas Public Utility Commission news from The Texas Tribune.
Some experts are skeptical the grid would see as much demand growth as ERCOT predicts, and other ERCOT models showed things getting tight but not tipping into a deficit. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ca90f02ca5d9fafdc2ed9396474c646b/0907%20Lower%20Demand%20EL%20TT%2026.jpg)
Houston’s main electrical company backed off plans to raise rates after facing sharp criticism for its response to massive power outages after Hurricane Beryl. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/709b4a8192d5cb129b46018bf9b154dc/0710%20CenterPoint%20Hurricane%20JB%20008.jpg)
The Public Utility Commission found that the performance credit mechanism, a financial tool the Legislature capped at $1 billion, would only marginally improve reliability of the state power grid. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1dcc61eaa234b98c2cf59684de0ea3a4/0711%20PUC%20Hearing%20SF%20TT%2007.jpg)
The Public Utility Commission of Texas adopted the rule amid surging demand for power across the state and a growing crypto mining industry in Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ab295039087efb8f48e708c4cde2a51d/Afton%20Crypto%20Farm%20TrT%20TT%2005.jpg)
The examination of Deloitte’s existing contracts comes after it failed to catch red flags in a company’s application for a loan to build or upgrade power plants in the state. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e26d36d93b6933a5068702863e50de20/0914%20Paxton%20Trial%20Day%208%20EG%20TT%2076.jpg)
Lawmakers tasked the Public Utility Commission with overseeing the Texas Energy Fund, though the agency has no experience running a loan program. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/777a6dc5011006b5e2a70f1e94b0a3bb/0711%20PUC%20Hearing%20SF%2001.jpg)
Jason Wells told regulators the company will launch a new outage tracker by Aug. 1. It will also trim more tree limbs near power lines and hire an executive to focus on emergency response. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/53f8a5c853a79cc0cb1068eee4f0b837/PUC%20CenterPoint%20LS%20small%20TT%2001.jpg)
The company’s power outages in July have drawn the ire of state leaders. Here’s what you need to know. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8334ba31756076461d1eeb3938564976/0710%20CenterPoint%20Hurricane%20JB%20001.jpg)
Repairing electricity infrastructure after storms usually costs customers. So could strengthening it before the next weather event. Full Story
Abbott demanded that the utility company produce a plan by the end of July outlining how it will improve power reliability ahead of future storms. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5f82b486a30c5c531d8372bb9676127e/0714%20Abbott%20Beryl%20Presser%20DS%20TT%2001.jpg)
According to state filings, the utility is restoring power at a relatively quicker pace than after prior storms. Texans are still fed up. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5264fadd098536b184441fb95e81dd08/0710%20CenterPoint%20Hurricane%20JB%20005.jpg)
Supporters say developing hydrogen as a fuel is critical to slowing climate change. Critics are concerned that producing it with fossil fuels will prop up the oil and gas industry. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1ec69935b1e3cf245fb632e2dae547b2/0905%20Hydrogen%20Spindletop%20MF%20TT%2006.jpg)
Industry experts continue to argue over whether the electricity market in Texas needs to change to make the grid more reliable in winter and summer. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c73061658e60a0b9e21d40135ce397aa/ATX%20Winter%20Storm%20SF%20TT%2039.jpg)
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas said it needs more money to comply with new regulations, hire more employees and fight legal challenges. It said the budget increase will cost power customers less than 20 cents per month. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/421b99e3908a397c4a6601ed21107d34/ERCOT%20REUTERS%20TT%2004.jpg)
Only one Texan, Rep. Pete Sessions, remains in the race for House Speaker. Republicans will hear from the candidates Monday night as they try to fill the job following U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan’s failure to win a majority. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f449c8727af7894b69eab912a5513fe6/DC%20Capitol%20Hill%20Jan%206%20SH%20TT%2012.jpg)
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. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6512cfe0eabff7d65308d835551664c7/Gardendale%20Power%20JF%2001.jpg)
Public Utility Commission Chair Peter Lake said renewable energy could be critical to preventing power outages this summer. Renewable energy supporters said the grid’s reliability doesn’t hinge on wind and solar. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e920c23727e36bc2d9dd1e84d2026d43/Vistra%20Midlothian%20Power%20ST%20TT%2014.jpg)
The actions by the Public Utility Commission led to billions of dollars of overcharges, the Austin-based court found. It’s not yet clear if the ruling will affect consumers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/09e5272e692a61bf7376dd7daceddb25/ATX%20Winter%20Storm%20JV%20Feb%2016%20TT%2034.jpg)
The idea, which still lacks some important details and could be changed by state lawmakers, would change how electricity is paid for in tight times. We explain it for everyday Texans. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/493e821da9f10e95442fe138df2f0921/El%20Paso%20Electric%20File%20JH%20TT%2009.jpg)
The substantial change in the way the state’s market works will first be reviewed by the Legislature. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/22fff647676e619f70ac30624b3d8674/Decker%20Creek%20Power%20Station%20JV%20TT%2001.jpg)