SAN ANTONIO — Democratic Texas lawmakers are looking to “break up” with blackouts. On Wednesday, the group announced a new bill that would require the state’s grid operator to connect to the federal power grid.
This comes on the third anniversary of the devastating winter storm that hit Texas. Nearly 250 Texans died during the storm, mostly from hypothermia.
U.S. Rep. Greg Casar of Austin and San Antonio is leading the way in this effort, sponsoring the “Connect the Grid Act”. He believes Texans deserve a reliable, safe and affordable electric system.
“Whether you’re in the middle of a heat wave or a winter storm, every American should be able to keep the lights on,” Casar said.
Fellow democrat and Texas, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro agrees.
“Connecting to the national grid is the safest, most reliable way to make sure that we don’t repeat the mistakes of three years ago.” Castro said.
Casar said the bill would be able to draw power from other states when needed and sell power when there is a surplus. It would also strip ERCOT of its regulatory authority. That means Texas would have to follow federal requirements and laws.
“Connecting our grid will save Texans about 4 billion over the next dozen years.” Casar said.
However, the bill will set aside funds to pay for transmission lines.
Energy expert and professor at the University of Houston, Ed Hirs, argued Texas should not rely on other power grids, especially if the same weather event is affecting multiple states.
“While it sounds good, it’s just impractical,” Hirs said.
He said he believes ERCOT needs to change the way it operates its market.
“We’ve got to find a way to give incentives for the legacy power plants, the nuclear, the coal, the natural gas plants to be available,” Hirs said. “Even if just only in reserve while the grid transitions more and more to solar and wind.”
Hirs said Texas is not the least reliable grid in the country, but it is not evolving as quickly as it needs to since more people are moving to the state.
“We are going to face ERCOT weather roulette,” Hirs said. “In other words, more calls for conservation and reliability issues over the next 5 to 10 years if ERCOT doesn’t change its path forward.”
ERCOT is not responding to the bill since it has not been filed yet.