Power Plants

Texas’ electric grid operator is requesting power plants postpone scheduled maintenance to ensure they’re online to meet surging demand during what is expected to be an exceptionally warm weekend.

The Railroad Commission of Texas has approved a new rule to designate natural gas suppliers as "critical infrastructure." The rule does not create weatherization standards, however, and will not protect the grid this coming winter.

In this episode of The Disconnect, we visit a Texas gas power plant that is preparing for winter, talk about the drama in Austin as lawmakers and oil and gas regulators square off over policy, and ask the question: Is Texas ready for another big freeze?

The city had wanted to shut down its portion of the plant by 2022 to meet carbon emissions goals. Austin Energy now says that won't be possible.

As cold weather arrives, Texas power plants are trying to make sure they can deliver electricity even in freezing temperature.