The Texas Supreme Court dismissed lawsuits against power generators from residents affected by the 2021 winter storm, a decision that benefits energy companies while raising concerns about accountability and future extreme weather events. The article also highlights the importance of supporting independent journalism in Texas.
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When we make a mistake — and from time to time, we will — we will work quickly to fully address the error, correcting it within the story, detailing the error on the story page and adding it to this running list of Tribune corrections. If you find an error, emailThe Texas Supreme Court on Friday ended lawsuits against power generators from tens of thousands of Texas residents and small businesses who lost electricity during a devastating 2021 winter storm that resulted in billions of dollars in damages and hundreds of deaths. The state Supreme Court provided no insight into why it ended the five separate appeals representing yearslong efforts from those affected during thethat plunged Texas into single-digit temperatures for days. In the years after the storm, thousands of people sought to recoup damages to businesses or seek accountability for themselves or loved ones who were injured or died during the storm. More than The ruling is a major win for the power generators that were sued, including large regional energy companies Centerpoint Energy and NRG Texas Power, who claimed the record-breaking storm was to blame for the damages, not deficiencies in their own actions. But Sandie Haverlah, president of the Texas Consumer Association, said Friday that the 2021 storm likely will not be the only extreme weather event of that caliber. She pointed to the state Legislature’s efforts to betterpower generation companies for extreme weather as an acknowledgement of that — and of energy providers’ own culpability in the fallout.Implementing those changes have also increased energy costs for consumers, Haverlah said, but still may not translate to generators’ future responsibility for potential failures during extreme weather without further legislative action.. The appeals sought to challenge a ruling from the state’s First Court of Appeals that dismissed the cases for having “no basis in law or fact.” The court’s Friday decision is not the first time it has ruled against plaintiffs seeking damages in the wake of the winter storm.that the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which manages the power supply for most of Texas, could not be sued because it could claim sovereign immunity. The immunity, which largely shields government agencies from civil lawsuits, was provided because it “provides an essential governmental service,” according to the ruling. Disclosure: CenterPoint Energy has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete this month. You have unlimited free articles remaining because we don't have a paywall.Independent Texas reporting needs your support. The Texas Tribune delivers fact-based journalism for Texans, by Texans — and our community of members, the readers who donate, make our work possible. Help us bring you and millions of others in-depth news and information. Will you support our nonprofit newsroom with a donation of any amount?Texans need the truth. Help us report it. Independent Texas reporting needs your support. The Texas Tribune delivers fact-based journalism for Texans, by Texans — and our community of members, the readers who donate, make our work possible. Help us bring you and millions of others in-depth news and information. Will you support our nonprofit newsroom with a donation of any amount?Ayden Runnels is the afternoon/evening reporter. Previously, they were a breaking news reporter for the Las Vegas Sun. A graduate of the Mayborn School of Journalism at the University of North Texas, Ayden...
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Texas Supreme Court ends 2021 winter storm litigation against power generatorsWithout writing a single sentence to explain why, the Texas Supreme Court on Friday officially ended efforts by tens of thousands of Texas citizens and small...
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