Reforming ERCOT - Here’s one good idea and one bad idea
ERCOT reforms should add incentives to protect against another failure, not take them away.
Texans are weighing options for preventing another power outage in severe weather. (Photo Omar Vega / Al DIa)(Omar Vega)
Among the reforms to be put forward in the aftermath of last week’s storm, two seem most likely. Both have to do with preparing the system for severe weather. One is a good idea, the other is not.
The good idea is to add teeth to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. Right now, ERCOT can only “suggest” best practices for winterizing generating plants based on standards set by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation.
Texas family files $100 million lawsuit against power companies after death of 11-year-old son
The family of Cristian Pineda, an 11-year-old boy who died in his bed from suspected hypothermia amid power outages and record freezing temperatures last week, is suing two major Texas energy companies for $100 million, alleging negligence that led to his death.
The Pineda family’s mobile home in Conroe, Texas was without power for more than 24 hours last week as temperatures plunged as low as 9 degrees Fahrenheit. On Monday night, Cristian shared a bed with his three-year-old brother while his mother and stepfather tried to comfort their infant son nearby. Cristian was found unresponsive the next morning. His mother Maria Pineda called 911 and attempted CPR, but Cristian was already dead.
By Randy Lee Loftis | Feb 23, 2021
State officials repeated failures to act on expert advice for averting grid catastrophes paralleled their long ignoring experts warnings about dangers of climate change. (Reposted from Texas Climate News. )
By Randy Lee Loftis | Tuesday, February 23, 2021
In addition to there being no power and no lights in widespread parts of Texas, there was too often little to no visibility outdoors in the heavy snow fall.
Evidence of disaster lay across much of a state in shock: snow, ice, and single-digit cold. But the real proof huddled behind closed doors: millions without electricity and therefore without heat, some in grave danger, some desperately seeking warmth in their running cars, only to die from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Editorial Roundup: Missouri washingtontimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from washingtontimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
With Texas legislators soon beginning hearings about the state’s power grid failure during Winter Storm Uri, Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, referred to the subsequent power outages as “dangerous.”