Texas Failed To Fix Their Power Grid After Their Massive Failure Several Winters Ago--Six Power Plants Went Offline Yesterday In The Heat Wave

After all, Governor Abbott doesn't want to tell electrical generators that they must spend money to prevent massive failures that kill people. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has asked residents to raise thermostats to 78 degrees Fahrenheit or higher between 3pm and 8pm on Saturday and Sunday and avoid using larger appliances.

Freedom! 'Murica! Yee-Haw!

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Montanaman · M

Get used to it. With the closing of more Coal power plants, all you got is wind and solar. A drought again will take away hydroelectric. Hmmmmm?

LordShadowfire · 46-50, M

@Montanaman

Waaah! We can't burn coal and contribute to the greenhouse effect and destroy air quality!

windinhishair · 61-69, M

@Montanaman That's just wrong. Natural gas is a byproduct of hydrofracking and is used as a power source. So is hydropower, geothermal, etc. Nuclear power is also an option. We can and should move to renewable energy as many other countries have.

The problem isn't closing dirty energy sources. The problem is that most of Texas elected to stay unconnected to other power grids so they wouldn't have to be regulated. When there are events like we've seen before and will see again, they can't get power from other systems because the connections are deliberately absent. That is a system problem that will continue to exist. There are parts of Texas, like El Paso, that are connected to other power grids outside the state and do not have a problem. The problem is Texas and their refusal to make good decisions for Texans. Actions have consequences and can kill. Yee-Haw.

Montanaman · M

@windinhishair As gas prices rise, and electricity bills go up, and power is in low supply and grids are shut down for rolling blackouts... then come talk to me.i work in the industry. I know.

windinhishair · 61-69, M

@Montanaman My work has included large scale renewable energy installations on behalf of the US Trade and Development Agency. Grids are not being shut down because too little coal is being used. The Texas grid did not fail because too little coal was used or available. It is a completely man-made situation, and fixable, if Texas politicians wanted to do so. They don't.