This past weekend’s cold front sent temperatures tumbling across the state, testing Texas’ energy infrastructure for the first time since last February’s winter storm.
— Texas Standard (@TexasStandard) January 6, 2022
How did it fare? Not great, according to a report: https://t.co/r2YBWWjSwA
Right now, the state is in the middle of a two-year process to weatherize its grid, to harden its grid, as they say. And you know, it all starts with various agencies like the Railroad Commission, PUC [Public Utility Commission] and ERCOT [Electric Reliability Council of Texas] all working together. And it’s something that probably won’t take effect at the earliest until September 2022 or maybe perhaps March 2023 at the latest. And you know, what watchdogs are saying about this is that leaves us vulnerable for at least two winters – this winter and possibly next winter for another cold snap like the one we saw in February.
During Texas’ first strong cold front of the winter this past weekend, natural gas production in the state’s top energy-producing region dropped by about 25%.
— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) January 5, 2022
The gas system’s performance during the cold snap again raised questions about the power grid. https://t.co/bcM63fDlhS
Meanwhile, the Railroad Commission, which regulates the oil and gas industry, said it didn’t know anything about the sudden drop in gas production. An agency spokesperson said the commission is “currently evaluating available data on natural gas production during the weekend of Jan. 1 and 2.”Natural gas fuels a majority of power generation in Texas, and some power generators reported disruptions to their gas supply — but they said it was not enough to impact generators’ ability to produce electricity. Gov. Greg Abbott said the state’s main power grid operator was prepared with extra power supply online.The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the grid operator, said there were no significant power outages around the state.But the disruptions to the natural gas supply during a typicalr Texas cold front calls into question whether the state’s gas companies are ready for extreme winter weather, a concern energy experts and power company executives have expressed in recent months after lawmakers didn’t require gas companies to immediately prepare their equipment for extreme cold.
Abbott has put a lot of eggs in this basket. What if those eggs freeze?Gov. Greg Abbott has been heavily involved in positive public messaging about the winter readiness of Texas' grid.
— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) January 5, 2022
But experts fear another massive winter storm could trigger widespread grid failures. https://t.co/amnhCCBbDV
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