Abilene Reporter-News: Many changes proposed in electric grid in Texas
Sept. 18 — The Texas Legislature began holding hearings calling in leaders of the three regulatory agencies to testify. Laws were passed, and the regulatory agencies are proposing new regulations and rules. The Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the natural gas and oil industry, published this week a proposed rule that requires operators of natural gas wells and facilities to either accept designation as critical status or ask for an exemption. Many gas wells were not designated as critical status during the February storm and electricity to the wells was shut off by the electric provider during the curtailment so that that electricity could be used for facilities designated as critical status.
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Market Watch: Atmos Energy Corp. stock falls, still outperforms market
Sept 17 — Shares of Atmos Energy Corp. slid 0.75% to $89.09 Friday, on what proved to be an all-around rough trading session for the stock market, with the S&P 500 Index falling 0.91% to 4,432.99 and Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.48% to 34,584.88. Atmos Energy Corp. closed $15.90 short of its 52-week high ($104.99), which the company achieved on April 21st.
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KTRK-TV: Power outage solutions: What can be done to fix Texas’ fragile power grid?
Sept. 17 — As of Friday, 5,000 CenterPoint workers are still working to restore power for thousands after Hurricane Nicholas.
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Natural Gas Intelligence: Texas Regulators Looking to Improve Natural Gas Infrastructure Post Uri
Sept. 17 — In an effort to reform the rules following Winter Storm Uri last February, the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) has proposed changes to designate critical natural gas infrastructure during energy emergencies
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KRGV: Public Utility Commission of Texas discusses electrical reliability
Sept. 17 — The PUC meets at least twice every month and during Thursday’s meeting, both long and short-term solutions were discussed. The meeting took place just weeks before the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, will be announcing a major transmission project proposal.
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Fox29: ‘Frozen by Failure’ documentary coming this fall
Sept 21 — “The railroad commission knew ten years ago that it needed to winterize gas wells in order to prevent future power outages, and they did nothing,” said Virginia Palacios with Commission Shift.
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Forbes (Commentary): Texas’ February Freeze-Out Is Driving A Wave Of Residential Solar
Sept. 21 — Across the country, people are growing weary of extreme weather being characterized as “unprecedented.” As hurricanes, floods and wildfires routinely knock out power, residents are looking for peace of mind, regardless of costs. That mindset, combined with an increase in people working from home because of the pandemic, was already driving demand for on-site residential power across the country, said Berger, whose company has about 162,000 customers in 35 states and U.S. territories.
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Power Engineering Magazine: Texas energy giants throw weight behind carbon capture and storage
Sept. 21 — The large-scale deployment of carbon capture and storage technology has gained wide industry support in Houston with 11 big energy players supporting the initiative.
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NBC DFW: Texas Public Utility Commission Announces Search for ERCOT Board
Sept. 20 — The search comes after a law passed during this spring’s legislative session requires board members to live in Texas.
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KFDA: Xcel Energy plans to advance their energy grid to provide more efficient energy
Sept. 21 — Xcel Energy is planning to exchange current electric meters with new smart meters in an effort to bring more efficient energy. The Public Utility Commission of Texas has approved to proceed with hearings to approve these meters.