Leaders from the Public Utility Commission of Texas and ERCOT say upgrades to the state's power grid have it ready for the cold this winter.
Both the PUC and ERCOT say the power grid is in good shape.
"For all of the expected scenarios we expect to have adequate supply to meet the needs of the grid," said Vegas.ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas says reforms put in place after the deadly winter storm will keep our lights on and help re-earn the public's trust. But ERCOT"s independent marker monitor warns the changes made to how we get power will dramatically increase our bills.
Since the deadly winter storms in February 2021 that plunged millions of Texans into darkness the PUC has implemented a series of reforms in an effort to secure the state's power grid. That includes requiring power generators to be weatherized and inspected.Vegas says electricity supply remains flat, but demand since last year has increased.Vegas added that what type of generation supplies get built and when are both outside of ERCOT's control.Natural gas is another big concern.
Rhodes believes the state has done a relatively good job of making sure that power plants are able to operate at lower temperatures, but gas remains a major concern."We really haven't addressed the fuel side. It's great if a power plant can operate, but if it can't get fuel, it just means that it's just not going to make electricity, which doesn't help anyone," Rhodes said.
Rhodes suggests that consumers who are on a variable rate plan try to lock in a rate to avoid big spikes in their bills this winter season.
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