Perry says Texans willing to suffer blackouts to keep feds out of power market

[DonViejo]

Source: The Houston Chronicle


James Osborne

Feb. 17, 2021
Updated: Feb. 17, 2021 9:53 a.m.

WASHINGTON - Former Texas governor Rick Perry suggests that going days without power is a sacrifice Texans should be willing to make if it means keeping federal regulators out of the state’s power grid.

In a blog posted on House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy's website, Perry is quoted responding to the claim that “those watching on the left may see the situation in Texas as an opportunity to expand their top-down, radical proposals.”

“Texans would be without electricity for longer than three days to keep the federal government out of their business,” Perry is quoted as saying. “Try not to let whatever the crisis of the day is take your eye off of having a resilient grid that keeps America safe personally, economically, and strategically.”

Texas’s power grid, run by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, occupies a unique distinction in the United States in that it is not under the oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission because it does not cross state lines.






Read more: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/Perry-says-Texans-wiling-to-suffer-blackouts-to-15956705.php

[DBoon]

1. The ones who die of course have no say in the matter

[DanieRains]

53. Remember Government Of The People By The People And For The People Ricky?

Today we have government for the rich, and the poor get a few crumbs from time to time.

Maybe some of Texas's billionaires could pitch in to help their grid.

Funny right?

They all have generators....

[padah513]

2. They're not willing to suffer anything!

You a-holes left them with no choice!

[PatSeg]

18. But, but...........Perry is the former Secretary of Energy

He should know what he's talking about, right? How did such a stupid person end up governor of Texas for sixteen years? I suppose that reflects the intelligence of the voters of the state, but you'd think they would have gotten a clue after one or two terms.

[padah513]

23. Lol

Remember when he started wearing glasses to make himself look smarter? It didn't work.

[PatSeg]

25. Oh my god, I'd forgotten that

Nope, it sure didn't work, because he still had to open his mouth. "Oops."

[Harker]

35. Before-glasses, can't remember the dept. he would come to lead

[PatSeg]

37. Yeah, you can't make this crap up

I guess the only way to overcome that embarrassing moment was to get a pair of glasses.

[NCjack]

39. Ever wonder how so many stupid jerks get elected to Governor of Texas

and manage to stay in office? The governor Texas has very little power, compared to the Lt. Governor.

Dummies like Bush, Perry, and Abbott aren't allowed to try anything that is complex or difficult.

[Harker]

41. Yet they still get in way over their heads.

and keep falling up.

[NCjack]

44. "You can fool most of the people, most of the time. But, you can't fool

all the people all the time."

Except in Texas, you can fool most of the people, all of the time.

[Harker]

47. There's a clip for every occasion. (Bush alert.)

[Snoopy 7]

63. I guess you don't know

I'm a Texan who has been following politics, local, state & national, who remembers how perry (uncapitalized for disrespect) stayed in power. The first thing he did was redistrict and gerrymander hard right, even though it wasn't a census year. Myself and it seemed only a few others were screaming and going mad about this happening, I was told "your being too political". And, too this day people will either ignore that they said that or "forget/not remember" that's what they told me. So it wasn't that we 'reflect the intelligence of the voters of the state' it's the playing field is not only rigged but skewed heavy right. We are changing "hearts and minds" and Texans are slowly waking to the republican nightmare but like the national electoral challenge it takes time. Don't forget this isn't just a "Texas" problem it is a national problem, heavy republican gerrymandering. After all how could we send 5 million more voters to the poles and the republicans gain 10 more senate seats. It happened and I didn't hear anything about the intelligence of the voters in this nation...

[PatSeg]

64. Yes, I agree that it has happened all over the country

Too often Democrats put all their focus on national politics, not realizing how important state and local races are. It sounds like Texas is one huge political machine, probably heavily influenced by the oil and gas industry.

Between gerrymandering and voter suppression, the minority party keeps winning elections. It is really hard to change that if the minority party is in power.

I lived in Texas for a short time many years ago. I met a lot of really great people, but I found the mix of guns and bibles very uncomfortable and had no regrets leaving.

I hope you have power and running water where you are. What a nightmare for so many.

[Rebl2]

3. If they

Can see what he is saying, I think they would vigorously disagree!

[CanonRay]

4. Says the guy sitting in a warm governor's mansion

and being chauffeured around.

[Escurumbele]

24. I am sure he also has big energy generators at his house

What cold? I don't feel anything, my generators keep my house nice and warm, I don't know what people are complaining about, and anyway, it is OK to freeze yourself and your family to almost death for the cause of keeping the federal government out of the grid, its not like we can't ask them for more money when things get tough, because we cannot handle it.

These stupid people want to secede, they don't seem to understand that Texas spends more money than what they generate, they would be bankrupt in less than a year. I hope they secede...

[niyad]

50. Abbott went directly to the ?Feds for help, which, of course, was approved. Perry didn't even

Know his own department when he was named energy secretary.

[Nitram]

5. Yup, yup. We're die-hard libertarians and individualists, and we'd rather die alone (individually)

than get any help from someone smarter than we are.

[BumRushDaShow]

6. "Texans willing to suffer blackouts to keep feds out of power market"

You mean like sending disaster aid because you assholes are assholes?

These utilities aren't really handled by "the feds" at the levels they are hyperbolically lying about. It's generally been a state function and especially in their case since there is no "interstate commerce".

[usajumpedtheshark]

7. He gives a very concise description of Republiqan theory of Federal government

The only role the Federal government is to send as much Federal taxpayers' dollars as can be squeezed out of them.
This is very much the dominant thought where I live. Every farmer around me will cuss out loud the very thought of any kind of Federal regulation one minute and then cry to anyone who will listen about how the Federal government isn't sending farmers enough money.

[chowder66]

22. +1

[cstanleytech]

8. "Electric Reliability Council of Texas" So much for that "Reliability" part.

[Vinca]

9. Guess our "radical proposals" include providing power even when it snows.

[dhill926]

10. not Borowitz or The Onion...

I am dumbfounded by this asshole. Perhaps he should go stay with a poor family without any power and keep them warm with his hot air....yeah, right....

[keithbvadu2]

11. People are dying. He would be OK with his family members doing the 'sacrifice'?

People are dying. He would be OK with his family members doing the 'sacrifice'?

[gab13by13]

12. Wait until they get their next bill.

[Mawspam2]

13. Idjit sez what?

Look, this Enron 2001 for Texas now. There is no incentive to add capacity when you can sell existing generation for $9,000 per kwh. ERCOT only acts as a Voltage Traffic Controller, not a regulator. They can't order plants to generate power.

Texas deliberately deregulated the power market, AND deliberately refuse to connect to the grids outside of Texas where power could have been imported.

Screw em, they made this. Two weeks ago they were demanding to secede from the USA. You're on your own.

P.S. I find it funny that Elon Musk decided to leave California for Texas. Hope you're happy with your plant sitting the dark.

[Denvermosaic]

14. Ok governor good hair, make the sacrifice by turning off all power and heat

source from your comfortable home and come suffer with the rest of Texas residences. Won't you?

[MrScorpio]

15. So he's saying that Texans should want power blackouts...

And that the same federal regulations that could prevent blackouts are the bad thing.

That's insane.

[rickyhall]

16. Perry is such an idiot and every time he opens his mouth he proves it.

[Lonestarblue]

17. Perry is an idiot how and has always been an idiot.

There may be a few Republicans here who would prefer to freeze rather than have the option of power sharing from nearby states when temperatures hover around 0 and there is no power—or water—for days, but I don’t know any of them. And, of course, Perry has no concern for the thousands of homeless—some kicked out because of Covid job losses—who have no place to live. God, I despise Republicans.

[Evolve Dammit]

28. He always struck me as one of the dumbest. Solid 9 on a scale of 1 to Gohmert.

[Cryptoad]

19. a Blue Texas is going to be SWEET

[ancianita]

20. Perry wants humans to suffer for the Texas sovereignty of fictional personhoods.

Perry wants Texans to consent to be governed by a corporate controlled state structure.

He wants Texans to be slaves on a goddamn corporate plantation.

Fuck Rick Perry and the corporate hobby horse he rode in on.

[MarcA]

30. Texas' founders/owners were largely slave owning takers.

Some tradition$ die hard.

[ancianita]

43. Yep. And we're seeing the modern version of this by corporate owners.

"Traditions." Yeah. Most definitely, the bad traditions die hard.

[Aussie105]

21. 'Yeah, but I'm cold, Perry!'

First thought going through the average Texan Republican's mind.

Second thought?

Hopefully: 'Maybe voting for you and the bunch you stand for next time shouldn't be a certainty?'

But seriously! Does Perry really want to suggest that actual physical suffering (by others) is ok because it proves some abstract Republican concept?

[Glaisne]

49. You tell em Rick! Own the libs!

First thought going through the average Texan Republican's mind.

[turbinetree]

26. So this dickhead sits in his home with an emergency generator warming his toes

so he comes out from under his treasonous libertarian rock, to spew his antigovernmental idiocy, this fucker complains about the federal government but its the taxpayers paying him for his fucking retirement with tax dollars.......... maybe he should return our tax dollars...........

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

27. Some of you may die, but that is a sacrifice I'm willing to make

[marble falls]

29. Yeah, right. He's lost his fucking mind ...

To be expected, it was small and useless anyways.

We all will gladly sacrifice our weak and the sick to build Rick Perry's energy portfolio.

[bucolic_frolic]

31. Personal suffering so rich people can exploit you when the Feds could have helped you

Is it some kind of Texas Salvation?

[louis-t]

32. It appears that Texas politicians are lining up to

put their collective foots in their mouths. Too bad he can't resign from something. He's already resigned from the human race. These are stupid, stupid people.

[matt819]

33. I have a question

I don't really pay much attention to the distribution of electricity, except when power company folks are in my backyard and when the power goes out. As long as those two conditions don't apply, I'm pretty much okay with whatever goes on behind the scenes.

So. . . will someone explain how "the Feds" adversely affect the distribution, delivery, and cost of power? What is the big, bad gubmint doing that Rick Perry doesn't want it to do? And doesn't he realize that he was the head of the department that did whatever he's complaining about? I don't get that man. Is he really that stupid?

I hope someone can answer this.

As for Texas's decision to opt out of the national grid, I think laws need to be rewritten. If a state opts out of some national thing - whatever that thing is - there has to be a price paid to fix the problems caused by that opting out. Same concept applies to states in hurricane territory that allow construction in flood plains. You can come up with any number of examples. Otherwise we're still in the socialism for the rich and capitalism for the poor.

On a very local level, if I buy a used car without a warranty, I'm responsible for the costs of repairs. I opted out and I am responsible for the consequences. Is this so hard to understand?

[Gore1FL]

34. What a backward state. nt

[BlueIdaho]

36. I'll bet you a doughnut

The lights are on at the Perry household. The scumbag.

[Yeehah]

38. Suuuure, rich folks like imbecile Perry don't have to worry about power outages

with their 10k generators too power their mansions. But they're happy to encourage sacrifices by others.

[SWBTATTReg]

40. What is this? A contest to see who the dumbest Texan is? rick perry needs to have his head ...

examined. Somehow all of this is now relating to the fact that Texans didn't want the Feds involved w/ their power supplies/etc.

Okay, that's fine. So you didn't have the Feds involved instate w/ power issues. Obviously you all still f**ked up somewhere, eh?

Where's all of the needed extra power going to come from, that you are short on? Maybe in your a&& somewhere since you're blowing a lot of nonsense out it anyways. Pardon my language.

[Blue Hal]

42. Right on, Rick!

I mean, why rely on the country's government when you can just Pray to Jeeeeeesus???

[louis-t]

45. Was he saying it from his comfy 72 deg. living room?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[Chili Pepper]

46. Yes, reliable electricity for everyone is a radical policy!

I'm sure if a poll were taken in Texas, there would be overwhelming support for this dreaded "radical" policy.

I swear, do these politicians actually believe the nonsense coming out of their mouths?

[Glaisne]

48. Sure he says that

while I'm sure he's all cozy and comfortable. He's sure as hell isn't suffering.

[niyad]

51. Title left out the word "should" be willing.

[hadEnuf]

52. So Texans would rather sit in the dark and freeze,

and then pay 10,000% more for the electricity if and when it does come on, rather than have a more reliable and regulated grid with controls against profiteering?

Hmm.... If that's what makes them happy I say fuck 'em then.

[waterwatcher123]

54. Rick Perry is surely sitting in a cold, dark house writing about how others need to sacrifice.

Rick Perry is a sanctimonious weasel - federal regulations only require utilities to operate responsibly, including anticipating extreme weather events, producing and distributing power in a safe manner and providing opportunities for the public to weigh in on projects that threaten cultural or natural resources. I have been involved in a number of FERC reviews for the re-licensing of hydro-power dams and restoring hydro operations damaged by floods. The utility companies may not like it because the public and other agencies get to weigh in on how they operate. However, these reviews (federal and state reviews) rarely do anything other than help utility companies plan for the future while simultaneously protecting the public from practices that reduce reliability and damage public health, safety and the environment. It is not too much ask in exchange for a permit to pollute the air we all breathe or to obtain a 50 year license to operate dams that substantially alter the natural flow of public waterways.

Utilities have a virtual monopoly as well. They only have to operate reasonably to guarantee a profit (it is a cost plus business with no real competition).

[McCamy Taylor]

55. From the party that said the elderly were willing to die of Covid for the economy.

[OneCrazyDiamond]

56. Is TX blackouts affecting Southwest Power Pool?

It seems to me, if they are bringing down neighboring states, it shouldn't be up to TX alone.

[seta1950]

57. 😏

How dumb do they think people are?

[AllyCat]

58. Did he ask the dead ones before they passed?

[Montauk6]

59. These cosplaying, states-rights Randroids really make me laugh...

smh

[ArizonaLib]

60. Nothing warms a home up more than

spite against the American government

[usaf-vet]

61. ASK THEM WHEN THE POWER IS BACK ON how they feel.

Wait until the bills come in. I'll bet Texas insurance coverage DOESN'T cover frozen pipes and water damage.

Blue states are blue because we want a government that has plans for disasters. And provides adequate infrastructure for unexpected
emergency.

We are not blues because we a frozen.

[OldBaldy1701E]

62. Is this

worthless sack of shit even in Texas right now?

[Initech]

65. Dying of hypothermia to "own the libs". Guess they really are a death cult now!