Abbott Asks Legislature to “Winterize” Generators for Texas Power System

Governor Greg Abbott put new priorities relating to energy reform on the table for the Texas legislature today as the freeze problem evolves from a lack of power to a lack of water.

“We have already begun the process to make sure that events like this never again happen in Texas, and that starts with reforming the agency in charge of electrical reliability in Texas, which is the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT),” Abbott said.

“ERCOT’s annual winter assessment… assured the public that there would be enough power to meet peak demand this winter. ERCOT failed on each of these measures that they said they had undertaken. Texans deserve answers about why these shortfalls occurred and how they’re going to be corrected, and Texans will get those answers.”

Abbott laid out a two-in-one emergency item for the legislature: requiring and funding the upkeep of power generators to withstand severe winter storms.

“First, I’m asking the legislature to mandate the winterization of generators in the power system. Second, I’m calling for the funding needed to ensure this winterization and modernization occurs.”