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The Latest Breaking News from Pablo Vegas

Gas power leapfrogs wind for first time in 10 years in Texas’ grid connection queue

Data centers are largely driving the sudden rise in natural gas power projects on the waiting list to connect to Texas' grid.

The Texas Tribune

When the AI Cloud Comes for Texas Water

Legislators are (sort of) beginning to grapple with the grim costs that come with the state’s data center boom.

Texas Observer

Texas grid operator forecasts massive growth in demand, but says data is likely flawed

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas reported that peak energy demand could quadruple by 2032, but cautioned that its estimate is likely too high and must be revised.

The Texas Tribune

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Texas winter storm updates: Power grid holds up through its tightest condition on Monday, Gov. Abbott says

ERCOT officials expected to see power demand close in on power supply by Monday 8 a.m., but the grid held “flawlessly,” Abbott said.

The Texas Tribune

Texas Lawmakers Want To Use 'Police Power' of the State To Halt Renewable Energy Projects

The legislature is advancing three bills that will trample on private property rights and give natural gas a leg up in the Lone Star State.

Reason

Legislation could undermine Texas' power grid ability to meet forecasted demand

The state grid’s operator said the current regulation will allow it to meet future demands.

The Texas Tribune

Texas’ energy demand may exceed supply in 2026, but experts caution against panic

Some experts are skeptical the grid would see as much demand growth as ERCOT predicts, and other ERCOT models showed things getting tight but not tipping into a deficit.

The Texas Tribune

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Data centers are booming in Texas. What does that mean for the grid?

As energy demand surges, largely due to crypto mining facilities, data centers and industrial electrification, Texas officials are looking at how to increase supply and shore up the grid.

The Texas Tribune

Grid operator says Texas is better prepared for extreme cold this winter

ERCOT says conditions this winter could spark extreme cold, but additional power supply and continued weatherization efforts will lower the risk of power outages.

The Texas Tribune

Texas electricity demand could nearly double in six years, grid operator predicts

The prediction by ERCOT reflects a new way of counting future demand and a spike in requests to connect to the grid from large power users.

The Texas Tribune

Texans asked to conserve energy as demand was expected to put strain on electric grid

Public Utility Commission said conservation would help lower demand during peak times and help avoid emergency conditions.

The Texas Tribune

Texan Bitcoin miners profit by using less electricity; advocates say all Texans should get the same chance

Bitcoin miner Riot Platforms made headlines over the summer for making millions by selling pre-purchased power back to the grid. The news highlighted how the grid can benefit businesses more than consumers.

The Texas Tribune

Texas grid faces winter after failed attempt to get more power online

Industry experts continue to argue over whether the electricity market in Texas needs to change to make the grid more reliable in winter and summer.

The Texas Tribune

Texas power grid operator approved for a 40% budget increase

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas said it needs more money to comply with new regulations, hire more employees and fight legal challenges. It said the budget increase will cost power customers less than 20 cents per month.

The Texas Tribune

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The Texas Tribune

How ERCOT is narrowly getting through an extreme summer — and how experts say it could do better

Record-high power demand and faltering electricity sources have tested the grid in the past month, forcing the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to dig deep into its toolbox to keep power flowing.

The Texas Tribune

ERCOT’s pleas for power conservation raise concerns: Are Texans tuning them out?

Repetitive power conservation appeals by the state’s grid operator face a challenge: Texans becoming less responsive to calls. Past conservation requests have helped reduce 100,000 homes worth of power demand on the grid.

The Texas Tribune

Texas utility commission chair raises threat of summer power outages and pushes for more gas-powered electricity

Public Utility Commission Chair Peter Lake said renewable energy could be critical to preventing power outages this summer. Renewable energy supporters said the grid’s reliability doesn’t hinge on wind and solar.

The Texas Tribune

Bills aimed at adding more natural gas power to Texas grid clear Senate

Critics say the bills could lead to untold billions in added costs to customers and minimal benefits while ignoring needed efforts to reduce electricity demand.

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The Texas Tribune

Texas lawmakers ask state agency to delay power market redesign until after 2023 legislative session

In a Monday committee hearing, lawmakers questioned whether a Public Utility Commission proposal to redesign Texas’ electricity market would lead to the building of more natural-gas-fired power plants. Regulators say it would.

The Texas Tribune

Texas grid still vulnerable to extreme winter weather, ERCOT estimate shows

Changes to Texas’ power grid have improved ERCOT’s ability to keep power flowing during major winter storms, but in an extreme scenario, the grid could still face rolling blackouts, a seasonal assessment shows.

Texas Observer

Texas Is Becoming a Bitcoin-Mining Capital. Can the Grid Handle It?

Despite the FTX crash, ERCOT continues to court the cryptocurrency industry.

The Texas Tribune

Texas energy officials’ proposal to overhaul the power grid is drawing skepticism

In the wake of the deadly 2021 winter storm, the Texas Legislature ordered an overhaul of the state’s power market to prevent future widespread blackouts. But some senators aren’t fans of the main option on the table.

Benzinga

Sen. Elizabeth Warren Takes On Bitcoin Mining In Texas: Here's What She Proposes

Sen. Elizabeth Warren and six other members of the U.S. Congress called on leaders in Texas to disclose the energy usage and environmental impact of Bitcoin mining operations in the state.

Texas Observer

Abbott and ERCOT Keep Texans in the Dark

From selecting a new CEO to an obscure committee report, the governor kept tight control over significant post-storm energy changes.

The Texas Tribune

Pablo Vegas, a utility executive in Ohio, named ERCOT’s new CEO

The state power grid operator has been run by an interim chief since the previous CEO was fired following the deadly 2021 winter storm that crashed much of the grid.

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