Electric Grid

State lawmakers are discussing ways to increase electric grid reliability, but some experts say the proposed changes could hurt renewable energy without bolstering the grid.

High electricity bills, grid reliability and industry political donations got a lot of attention in the governor's race. But polling suggests voters' minds are now elsewhere.

On May 4, 1976, a power company based in Texas sent electricity from a substation in Vernon, Texas, to Altus, Okla. By doing so, they were breaking a deal among power companies in Texas to keep electricity within state borders.

Critics are skeptical about whether the new rules by the Railroad Commission will prevent another catastrophe like the power grid disaster in February 2021.

While there have been improvements to the grid over the past year and a half, some of the root causes of the blackout are still unaddressed.

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.

Houstonian Sandra Edwards, who lost power for four days during the blackout, started getting electric bills this spring that are almost double what they used to be. That’s because electricity has its own supply chain — and everybody needs to get paid.

Manjula Shah is included in the state’s official death count. Manjula's family says her husband of nearly 60 years should be, too. Researchers say there are many Texans missing from the official tally.

In some ways, it seems like the Texas power grid is having more problems than ever. We'll explore what's changed since the big blackout in February 2021 in the new season of our award-winning podcast.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas is asking people to conserve electricity Wednesday between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. The request comes as a record-breaking heatwave continues to drive electric demand in Texas to new highs.