AT THE CAPITOL
News from the 88th legislative session
NUMBER TO KNOW That’s how many Texans died from fentanyl overdoses in 2022, according to Gov. Greg Abbott. 2,012 UPDATES FROM LOCAL LEGISLATORS
ERCOT projects record demand for electricity this summer
BY HANNAH NORTON
hot outside, but the sun has set and winds begin to die down. “We will continue to use every tool available to keep the lights on and the AC running this summer,” said Peter Lake, chair of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, which regulates ERCOT. As a result, Texans could be asked to conserve energy or even face brownouts this summer. Brownouts typically occur when utility companies reduce the flow of electricity to certain areas to prevent a large-scale blackout. Lights may dim or flicker, but homes will still receive power. The report states, emergency con- ditions are possible when three things happen simultaneously: extreme heat; low renewable energy output; and widespread outages at dispatch- able power plants. Vegas said there is a less than 1% chance of this happening, but officials will communicate with Texans if voluntary conservation is recommended or the grid reaches emergency conditions.
SUPPLY AND DEMAND
Texans could experience brownouts due to record demand for power this summer, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas predicted. In a report released May 3, Texas’ power grid operator anticipated peak demand could reach 82,739 megawatts on the hottest days. Due to over two years of reforms following Winter Storm Uri, ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas said the power grid is “more reliable than ever.” But as Texas’ population continues to grow, officials said demand for electricity will begin to outpace the amount of available dispatchable power, which comes from sources such as natural gas and coal. This means Texas will need to rely on renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, to keep the lights on. Unlike dispatchable sources, energy regulators cannot always count on the sun and wind to be there. Vegas said the highest-risk periods for the grid will be after 9 p.m., when it remains
During the hottest days this summer, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas expects demand for electricity could surpass 82,000 megawatts. Peak demand in 2022 was 80,038 MW.
DONNA CAMPBELL DISTRICT 25 New Braunfels Republican Elected: 2012
Expected peak demand 82,739 MW
Sign up for our newsletter at communityimpact.com for daily updates throughout the session. SUBSCRIBE TODAY gender reassignment or gender dysphoria treatment in children, among other measures. The bill also prohibits public funding of the outlined procedures through any public assistance programs. Senate Bill 14 This bill—which Campbell co-authored—passed out of the House of Representatives and was sent to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature May 19. The bill would prohibit procedures and treatments for gender transitioning,
Expected total supply 97,138 MW*
*TOTAL PROJECTED SUPPLY OF DISPATCHABLE AND RENEWABLE ENERGY THIS SUMMER SOURCE: ELECTRIC RELIABILITY COUNCIL OF TEXAS/COMMUNITY IMPACT TERMS TO KNOW Megawatts: a unit of power equal to 1 million watts. A MW can power 200 homes during peak demand. Dispatchable energy: power sources such as coal, natural gas and nuclear that come from energy plants.
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NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION • JUNE 2023
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