Critical infrastructure circuits could be tapped into if power issues worsen, Austin Energy says

[Klaralven]

If power outages worsen and the energy supply dwindles across the region, Austin Energy says it may have to tap into circuits connected to critical infrastructure.

During a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Austin Energy General Manager Jackie Sargent said the possibility remains as power issues persist throughout the state.

This could impact hospitals, nursing homes, law enforcement and other first responders.

"I am hoping that that won't happen, but I don't want to create a false sense of security because there is the potential that the entire grid will go down," Sargent said. "And if that were to occur, we would not be able to keep those circuits energized."

Sargent said they would only tap into those circuits as an "absolute" last resort.

https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/austin-energy-critical-circuits-hospitals/269-bc4ed77d-af31-47d1-9476-51ee395584a7

[TigressDem]

1. Too bad Texas doesn't have a way to get SOLAR online real quick. Even with the ice, they got sun.nt

[Klaralven]

3. Snow and ice on solar panels significantly reduces their power generation.

Since the panels are dark and warm up, it will generally melt or slide off in a few days. But that doesn't help much in a situation like this.

[TigressDem]

5. In Minnesota solar panels are set up at steep angles on roofs facing south to get maximum melt.

This is awful. Hope everyone makes it through this and they rethink how to prepare for this kind of event.

Darn.

[SamKnause]

2. Why not tap all the businesses that are closed ???

Why not tap schools.

Why not tap restaurants, bars, and stadiums ???

I would think that tapping hospitals, nursing homes, law enforcement, and first responders

would be the last places being tapped !!!

This sounds fucking insane to me !!!

[SoonerPride]

4. The closed places aren't using power. Because they are closed.

The open critical infrastructure places are using power because they are open.

And they are demanding more than the supply on hand.

This is a story of texas glee in deregulation and short sighted profit for a few wealthy power brokers.