Texas’ power grid reported record electricity use early last week. Both the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas are urging residents and businesses to voluntarily reduce electricity use as temperatures soar above 100 degrees over much of the state. So far the grid, which administers 90% of the state’s power load, has been able to keep up with demand.
Temperatures set record highs for June in several Texas cities: 111 degrees in Junction, 115 in Laredo, and 113 in Del Rio. The heat wave stretches from the Pecos River Valley in the west to the Rio Grande in the south to the Pineywoods in the east. State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon pointed to several factors, including nearrecord temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico, a high-pressure system trapping the heat over the state, and climate change.
“Texas is running about 2 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than it did during the 20th century,” Nielsen-Gammon told the Texas Tribune. “So if you’re close to a temperature record, that will put it over the edge.”
ERCOT has implemented a voluntary curtailment program for so-called flexible customers — such as bitcoin mining facilities — to reduce power use during periods of high demand.
“These customers are large power users but have the flexibility and willingness to reduce their energy use quickly, if needed. By working with these large loads during peak demand periods, we will better serve all Texans while keeping the grid reliable and resilient,” said Woody Rickerson of ERCOT.
STORMS SPUR SPATE OF DISASTER DECLARATIONS
Storm systems have caused widespread damage across the state and prompted Gov.
Greg Abbott to issue disaster declarations for Ochiltree, Cass, Franklin, Harrison, Marion, Upshur, Wood, Camp, Gregg, Hopkins, Panola, Smith and Titus counties. The storms caused loss of life, severe damage to power lines and structures and flash flooding.
A subsequent declaration came after a tornado hit Matador in West Texas and killed four people. That declaration covers Motley, Nolan, Fisher, Jones, Kent and Stonewall counties. Just days earlier a tornado killed three and injured dozens in Perryton in the Texas Panhandle.
“What Texans in Perryton have gone through over the past couple of days have been nothing short of horrific,” Abbott said. “At the same time, it’s encouraging and inspiring to see the way the community has come together to rebuild.”
HOPE RISES FOR BREAKING LEGISLATIVE IMPASSE
An impasse over property tax relief appears to be near an end after the Senate unanimously passed a package that would cut both homeowners’ property taxes and taxes on thousands of businesses by a record $18 billion, the Austin American-Statesman reported. At the same time, House Speaker Dade Phelan appointed a select committee to provide “recommendations for long-term, sustainable” relief.
The first special session called by Abbott ends this week, making it likely a second session will follow. The Senate bill would raise the homestead exemption to $100,000, with an additional $40,000 exemption for homeowners 65 and older. The franchise tax on businesses would further exempt an estimated 67,000 small businesses.
Gary Borders is a veteran award-winning Texas journalist. He published a number of community newspapers in Texas during a 30-year span, including in Longview, Fort Stockton, Nacogdoches and Cedar Park. Email gborders@texaspress. com.
