VERIFY: Does Texas have an independent power grid, and what does that mean?

[SheltieLover]

https://www.localmemphis.com/mobile/article/news/verify/texas-independent-power-grid/507-6192cf48-4bf4-4a82-8586-0e5c0a549707

As millions find themselves without power for a second day because of record-breaking winter storms in the south, some have wondered why Texas isn’t turning to other states to help its power supply. A common answer in social media comments is that Texas has an independent power grid, but is that true and what does that actually mean for Texas residents?

THE ANSWER
Yes, most of Texas’ power supply is connected to a grid entirely within state lines. It is one of three power grids in the country: a western power grid, an eastern power grid and the Texas grid.

That means that Texas isn’t connected to the grids of other states and thus can’t borrow power from them.

Snip

About 2:10 into an ERCOT video about its history, ERCOT explained that Texas has an independent grid because of its response to the 1935 Federal Power Act. The law gave the federal government authority to regulate power companies that engaged in interstate commerce. So Texas power companies agreed not to sell power outside of Texas, which allowed them the ability to avoid federal regulation.

More at link.

[MagickMuffin]

1. And it operates as a nonprofit. I was a victim over 24hrs without power

It has been awful and heads will roll right along with their rolling blackouts.

We finally have power but still not sure if they'll shut me off again

[SheltieLover]

4. 1/3 of decision makers do not live in the state!

Just saw a headline to this effect.

So sorry you have suffered at repukes' greedy hands!

Those fking windmills could easily & relatively cheaply been built with deicers! I have a heat pump with a deice function, thankfully!

[MagickMuffin]

7. Well that figures people making policy decisions from out of state

I will be contacting all my states reps (R) about this and also the Democratic reps to rid ourselves of this isolation bs.

We are the United States and we must share our resources. This will not stand and must not stand.


Thank you for thinking of us Texans

[SheltieLover]

9. Here is some ammo for your calls!

https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/ercot-board-vice-chair-texas-cold-power-outage-15953854.php

The heads of ERCOT's board of directors don't even live in Texas


https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/2021/02/16/ercot-board-under-fire-texas-five-out-state-members/6768919002/

ERCOT is in charge of Texas' power, but one-third of its board lives out of state


https://www.texastribune.org/2021/02/16/texas-power-outage-ercot/

Gov. Greg Abbott, other top Texas officials call for resignations and investigations at electrical grid operator

I hope this is helpful. TX must be "Staceyed," swept clean of qpubes & Dems elected!

Of course I think of folks in TX!

[MagickMuffin]

10. Thank you SheltieLover

I will use this as a base for calling Reps. This was definitely an eye opener and will be investigated, which I would refer an independent outside investigation.

I was looking at their salaries and the CEO pays himself over $800,000 annually. I want our money back.

NOTE: here are the salaries for board members making over $100,000 annually. The 40 represents hours worked. Judy Walsh makes over $100,000 and does not list what her job title is and she only works 8 hours per week. I wonder why she is getting paid this much.


William Magness BOARD MEMBER; PRESIDENT & CEO 40 $814,909


Cheryl Mele SVP & COO 40 $440,955


Jerry Dreyer SVP, & CIO 40 $399,028


Chad Seely SVP, GENERAL COUNSEL & GOVERNANCE 40 $379,614


Michael Petterson VP AND CFO 40 $322,141


Diane M Williams VP, HUMAN RESOURCES 40 $311,875


Theresa Gage VP, EXTERNAL AFFAIRS & CORP COMM 40 $308,000


Kenan Ogleman VP, COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS 40 $302,965


Dwayne Rickerson VP, GRID PLANNING & OPERATIONS 40 $301,464


Sallie Betty Day VP, GOVERNANCE, RISK & COMPLIANCE 40 $277,170


Steve Daniels VP, APPLICATION SERVICES & IT OPS 40 $259,192


Mark Ruane DIRECTOR, SETTLEMENTS RETAIL AND CREDIT 40 $239,962


Dan Woodfin SR. DIRECTOR, SYSTEM OPERATIONS 40 $231,774


Joel Mickey SR. DIRECTOR WHOLESALE MARKET DESIGN 40 $226,236


Nathan Bigbee ASST. GENERAL COUNSEL, REGULATOR 40 $225,619


Bryan Hanley DIRECTOR, IT INFRASTRUCTURE 40 $225,301


David Forfia DIRECTOR IT ARCHITECTURE 40 $224,952


Warren Lasher SENIOR DIRECTOR, SYSTEM PLANNING 40 $215,520


Vickie Leady ASST. GC AND ASST. CORP. SECRETARY 40 $208,215


Amanda Bauld DIRECTOR, PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE 40 $205,580


John Messer DIRECTOR, IT APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT 40 $195,980


Judy Walsh BOARD MEMBER 8 $100,100


F'ing GRIFTERS

[SheltieLover]

11. Omfg! 🤬

And they have the gall to raise electric rates 10,000% during present conditions!

Yw! I hope the info is helpful to the cause!

[MagickMuffin]

12. Indeed

I don't understand how a non-profit should be allowed to control a Power source.


This MUST change.

[captain queeg]

2. There are 5 regional grids in the US (I think) and they have interties to their neighbors

Each regional grid has an oversight authority making rules to maintain reliability. I’m not sure if Texas has no interconnect whatsoever, but it’s a stand alone operation. The other grids have rules that could be exercised to bring power in from outside but they have the responsibility for maintains their own system reliability. There are rules about how much reserve capacity has to be maintained. Different operators within the grid have to provide a certain level of reserves based on projected needs. If the needs suddenly go way up and something happens to generation within the grid they are supposedly able to lean on other operators. In the case of Texas it appears they got a double whammy of unexpected high needs and unexpected loss of generation equipment.

[SheltieLover]

5. Windmills should have been built with auto deicers!

I have a heat pump with one.

Greedh qpubes!

[Thekaspervote]

3. They do have an independent grid..the reason, they have an outdated grid that does not meet

with US standards.

It’s really a poor poor administrative policy on their part. So much for their being able to secede

[SheltieLover]

6. Skirted fed regulations

I feel badly for the normal people who live there!

TX needs to be "Staceyed!"

In Chicago, if a mayoy fks up ONE snow removal operation, it's political suicide. I hope voters in TX get rid of them!

[cayugafalls]

13. Nah, if you complain even a little bit the red belly beer suckers call you a snowflake

and wish you dead.

Suck it up and learn to survive...a real man tends to his wi'men and chil'lin...

Yep, I freaking hate the bas-turds...

[MagickMuffin]

8. There is only a small minority that wants to secede, the rest of us Not So Much

We LOVE being in the United States of America.