Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick focuses scorn on Public Utility Commission after winter storm, testing Gov. Greg Abbott Texas Tribune Tags: Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune Ever since last month’s winter weather disaster, Gov. Greg Abbott has worked to lay blame squarely on the state’s electrical-grid operator — despite the fact that it is overseen by the Abbott-appointed Public Utility Commission. But as state lawmakers dig in on their response to the crisis, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is making it harder and harder to look away from the commission, shining a harsh spotlight on Abbott’s people and their decisions.