Jason Plautz of E&E News reports on how Texas’ electricity plan could change the grid.
- In response to the blackouts during Winter Storm Uri grid regulators in Texas have recommended a plan that would restructure the state’s electric grid to favor thermal power generators like coal and natural gas.
- This plan would cost Texas taxpayers billions of dollars in higher energy costs while failing to make the grid more reliable.
- To prevent future blackouts during storms, Texas needs to upgrade and winterize its infrastructure, not rework its market structure.
- Lawmakers in Texas should reject this restructuring and embrace a competitive “all of the above” energy strategy.
“Critics, however, warn that the PUC is pushing the state toward a market design rooted in the past instead of embracing renewable energy and accelerating efforts to cut electricity use when demand is highest. Some also say the proposal would raise power costs for customers. And powerful legislators question whether the PUC’s plan will offer the reliability its supporters promise.”
Read the full article here.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of C3.
