Latest News
Luminant asks Texas Supreme Court to affirm illegality of PUC's increase of electricity prices during Winter Storm Uri
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 19, 2023
Luminant, a Texas power generating company, field a brief this week asking the Texas Supreme court to uphold a lower court decision that the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) increase of electricity princes during winter storm Uri broke Texas law. The PUCT arbitrarily raised prices to $9,000 per megawatt hour hoping to bring an end to the massive blackouts all across Texas, but all the action raised the price that Texans paid for electricity.
OPINION: Reliability, Affordability, and Accountability of the Texas Grid Up in the Air
By Bill Peacock | Dec 11, 2023
Concerns over the future reliability and affordability of Texas’ electric grid were brought to the forefront with the recent resignation of the person hired by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) to monitor the performance of the Texas electricity market.
Texas grid monitor to resign as reliability concerns and costs rise
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 11, 2023
Carrie Bivins, who serves as the independent market monitor for Texas’ electric grid, is expected to resign soon. The resignation comes after Bivens’ report that the actions of state officials had raised the cost of electricity by $8 billion.
Public Utility Commission of Texas Approves New Price Protections for Consumers During Power Emergencies
By Press Release | Dec 4, 2023
The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) has voted to immediately implement a new Emergency Pricing Program (EPP) for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) power region. The EPP was required by Senate Bill 3 of the 87th Texas Legislature and will limit consumer exposure to high wholesale electricity prices during power emergencies.
The Public Utility Commission of Texas will oversee the Texas Energy Fund
By Lone Star Standard | Nov 29, 2023
The Public Utility Commission of Texas, the state agency that regulates Texas utilities, announced it will administer the Texas Energy Fund, following voter approval of Proposition 7 this November. This move comes as a part of a statewide initiative to modernize and upgrade the electric generating facilities within the state.
The U.S. Natural Gas Landscape: A Pragmatic Policy Approach Is Needed
By Dean Foreman | Nov 27, 2023
The United States, and Texas in particular, is quietly experiencing a continuation of a revolution in natural gas production. Despite strong consumption and record exports, domestic prices remain at around $3 per million British thermal unit (Btu). This is a remarkable productivity success story, with Texas leading the charge, accounting for over half of the nation’s growth so far in 2023.
Upstream Texas Oil and Natural Gas Sector Grows by Additional 2,200 Jobs in October
By Lone Star Standard | Nov 21, 2023
Newly-released data from the Texas Workforce Commission indicates that upstream oil and natural gas employment grew by an additional 2,200 jobs in October. These new numbers extend the strength of 2023’s job growth to date, with 16,500 jobs added so far this year.
New report says Texas faces an elevated risk of insufficient electricity supplies this winter
By Lone Star Standard | Nov 17, 2023
Texas and other parts of the U.S. face an elevated risk of energy emergencies in extreme conditions for the upcoming winter. In a new report, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) says that Texas is at higher risk of insufficient electricity supplies this winter than last year.
Groups advocating for and against Proposition 7
By Lone Star Standard | Nov 2, 2023
The Texas Infrastructure Coalition is one of several groups advocating for their stand on Proposition 7, which is on the Nov. 7 constitutional amendment ballot in Texas. The proposition, if passed, would set aside $5 billion to establish a Texas Energy Fund that would support the creation of new power plants in the state.
Members of the TX Advanced Nuclear Working Group have been announced
By Lone Star Standard | Oct 11, 2023
As part of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor Group will serve to further the understanding and benefits of nuclear energy. The members of this group have now been chosen and announced.
ERCOT concerned that Texas will not have enough dispatchable generation this winter
By Lone Star Standard | Oct 4, 2023
The manager of the Texas electric grid, ERCOT, has expressed concerns about grid reliability this winter and is actively seeking additional dispatchable generation. In a press release, ERCOT announced its search for more electricity "to be prepared and ensure all available tools are readily available if needed."
Public Utility Commissioner of Texas discusses the possible benefits of virtual power plants
By Lone Star Standard | Oct 3, 2023
The Public Utility Commission of Texas is considering the implementation of virtual power plants as a way to improve grid reliability in the state. Commissioner Will McAdams is exploring the potential benefits of virtual power plants and how they can contribute to the growth of Texas' grid reliability.
Peacock: Renewables behind Texas grid emergency
By Bill Peacock | Sep 25, 2023
When the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the operator of most of the Texas electric grid, declared an Energy Emergency Alert 2 on Sept. 6 for the first time since Winter Storm Uri, it exposed how renewable energy and renewable energy subsidies are rapidly undermining the reliability of the Texas electric grid.
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ERCOT asks consumers to reduce electricity use amid high heat and demand, low generation
By Andy Nghiem | Aug 22, 2023
On Aug. 20, the Energy Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) issued a voluntary conservation notice, requesting that consumers reduce their use of electricity if safely able. The notice came amid a stretch of high temperatures, high demand for electricity, and a drop off in thermal electric generation.
Op-ed: Renewable energy: Big business and big government getting rich off taxpayers
By Bill Peacock | Dec 9, 2020
Oldham County Judge Don Allred cannot stop gushing about the money the county is making off of renewable energy.“Wind has been a Godsend,” he said.
Are California’s Blackouts a Glimpse of Texas’ Future?
By Bill Peacock | Aug 28, 2020
Californians have recently seen each new day bring the prospect of more rolling blackouts.Despite warnings from the California Public Utilities Commission that blackouts could affect millions, about only 600,000 homes and businesses have lost power.
