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The Texas Tribune

National

Emily Foxhall

After underestimating power demand, Texas electric grid operator gets federal permission to exceed air quality limits

ERCOT Texas Department of Energy Energy Electricity Pollution Texas Tribune University of Houston

Details of electrical transformers at the Austin Energy/Sand Hill Energy Center
in Del Valle on March 24, 2020. — Electrical transformers at the Austin Energy/Sand Hill Energy Center in Del Valle in 2020. (Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune)

The U.S. Department of Energy has cleared the way for Texas power plants to pollute more than is usually allowed, such as by burning dirtier fuel oil instead of natural gas, to keep the electricity on through Christmas morning.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which operates the state’s main power grid, asked for permission to exceed normal federal air quality restrictions after underestimating the demand for power during this week’s subfreezing temperatures. Such a request is not unusual during emergencies, experts said.

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