The latest energy news from The Texas Tribune.
Will McAdams has also worked as an aide to three state senators. He must be confirmed by the Senate before taking the position at the Public Utility Commission. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5eac2ae67fdfd9ee7777b037ec3eb66a/Will%20McAdams%20TT.jpg)
The proposal would be paid for, in part, by raising the corporate tax rate and global minimum tax. It calls for improving roads, increasing public transit spending and preparing for hurricanes, among other things. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4f162e4fd0e8410452f896d2911d930a/Infrastructure%20FIle%20SS%20.jpg)
Power outages during a winter storm have the Texas Legislature considering remedies — and a flaw in their response to a previous storm. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/326dbd337d2f285eb110328f027be33a/DTX%20Storm%20Recovery%20ST%20TT%2002.jpg)
Some say lawmakers should go further to ensure power plants can withstand increased weather due to climate change. And they worry that much of the legislation advancing will be up to the Public Utility Commission to enforce. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b8da421c20c1e7e3243690be188a359f/Winter%20Storm%20Day%20Five%20JV%20TT%2010.jpg)
Senate Bill 3 would require all power generators, transmission lines, natural gas facilities and pipelines to make upgrades for extreme weather. Its prospects are uncertain in the House, which is scheduled to take up a series of related, standalone bills on Tuesday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/632aefdfaa590166eb4fd8eb523a961d/ATX%20Winter%20Storm%20SF%20TT%2051.jpg)
Texans in ERCOT's service area who lost electricity were without power for an average of 42 hours, according to the study. They had been told to prepare for short-term, rolling outages. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0651b4a13b9608d1131897fc4a1e1554/RBJ%20Center%20Storm%20MM%20TT%2010.jpg)
Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Energy wants to build 10 electric plants in Texas, for use when demand peaks or other plants falter. And it’s the first time a price tag has been attached to a remedy since last month’s deadly storm. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/34d7e55a9a68eab2e654100018f460c2/Warren%20Buffet%20REUTERS%20TT%2001.jpg)
The wide-ranging proposal includes a number of reforms that have been floating around the state Capitol since last month’s deadly winter storm left millions without electricity during freezing temperatures. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/27f2bc4893b9f60afd194c1f224460d6/RBJ%20Center%20Storm%20MM%20TT%2022.jpg)
In return, lawmakers would agree to create a revenue stream for Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway through an additional charge on Texans’ power bills. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/de2ebcca0d0f29eaebbbd006cfbd907a/Warren%20Buffet%20REUTERS%20TT%2002.jpg)
At least 57 people died during the winter storm that plunged much of Texas into subfreezing temperatures and caused widespread power outages for days. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/25dbe56c871458c411fb1770564538ba/ATX%20Snowstorm%20Feb%2017%20MG%20TT%2015.jpg)
In the latest episode of our podcast about the Texas Legislature, Evan Smith talks to former speaker of the Texas House Joe Straus about life as a civilian, what he’d do about repricing electricity, the conservative case for expanding Medicaid, why he didn’t vote for Donald Trump — twice — and whether he’ll run for something again. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ee3b23c67609fb74b29eb60f2b7d02d0/TT-PointofOrder-podcast-launch-art.png)
It is unclear who would be helped or hurt — and by how much — if lawmakers try to revise electricity market prices charged during the winter storm. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/013aaca3f8b4cc2b217bafbed730cda0/ERCOT%20Command%20Center%20REUTERS%20TT%2002.jpg)
A bill to stop cities from banning natural gas as a fuel source for heating homes and other buildings is being advanced as priority storm-response legislation following the February power outages. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9da292d99d6303a87f76144d4f26a69b/ATX%20Construction%20AG%20TT%2001.jpg)
Railroad Commission Chair Christi Craddick and her father have financial ties to oil and gas. Other state officials who have oversight over the industry also had significant financial interests in it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6f80380bb7480859c40ef44db063a4fc/ATX%20Winter%20Storm%20Feb%2018%20MG%20TT%2011.jpg)
The bills, which include mandating weatherization of power plants, reforming the ERCOT board and creating a state emergency communications system, are “a work in progress.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/01d46c76b281ce1bf7b6ef631f9b1ff8/San%20Marcos%20Winter%20Storm%20JV%20TT%2009.jpg)
“The governor of Texas is a very powerful person,” Patrick said at a Capitol news conference, ramping up his dayslong campaign to get Abbott to intervene. “He can do anything he wants.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ed9aff80a964b9c7b924d6d173ac2d41/Dan%20Patrick%20House%20TT%2002.jpg)
Dozens of natural gas companies failed to do the paperwork that would keep their facilities powered during an emergency, so utilities cut their electricity at the very moment that power plants most needed fuel. The mid-storm scramble to fix the problem exposed a regulatory blind spot. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d1bab4b78f51d326e4904a4b31067cc3/ATX%20Winter%20Storm%20JV%20TT%2009.jpg)
Speculation that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick might want to be governor someday underestimates his current advantages over the current occupant of that office, Gov. Greg Abbott. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cd63f25df131349dc921afb1f4504ee5/Dan%20Patrick%20TT%20EG%2010.jpg)
Twenty-one states signed onto the multi-state lawsuit led by Texas and Montana. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/caed0ddaa8e48d0bc33cb287d290ea36/Keystone%20XL%20Pipeline%20REUTERES.jpg)
On this week's episode, Patrick speaks with Ross, Cassi and Alexa about state leaders' disagreements over electricity repricing after the winter weather crisis. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4dc2da0b5c5beb0f3562268f1575b36a/TribCast%20March%2017.jpg)