Georgetown Edition | November 2022

‘More reliable than ever’: Regulators share grid update

WilCo Economic Development Partnership hires executive director

“THE KEY TO REBUILDING CONFIDENCE IN THE ELECTRIC GRID IS GOING TO BE CONTINUED RELIABLE EXECUTION AND OPERATIONS THAT’S OUR COLLECTIVE FOCUS AT ERCOT.” PABLO VEGAS, CEO OF THE ELECTRIC RELIABILITY COUNCIL OF TEXAS

BY GRANT CRAWFORD

The hire comes after commissioners unanimously approved a $500,000 investment, which is meant to be used for the EDP’s broad list of goals outlined in the contract. Such e£orts include marketing to tech companies and medical industries, recruiting new businesses to open in Williamson County, and creating incentives for companies to do business in the area, among other priorities. The county’s agreement provides the EDP with an initial installment of $83,000 on or before Nov. 4, followed by monthly payments. Made up of area cities—including Georgetown—the WilCo EDP was created in 2014. Dave Porter

The Williamson County Eco- nomic Development Partnership announced it hired an executive director Oct. 27, two days after the county’s commissioners court approved a contract to fund the group $500,000 to help foster the region’s economic opportunities. Dave Porter, former senior vice president of economic develop- ment for the Austin Chamber of Commerce, will serve as the WilCo EDP’s rst executive director. He previously worked with the organization as a consultant to help create its strategic plan. “Williamson County o£ers such a diverse menu of options for new and expanding companies,” Porter said in a release. “The potential for even greater success is evident by the close working relationship between the partner cities and the county.”

BY HANNAH NORTON

Texas’ power grid is “more reliable than ever,” state leaders said, with additional improvements to come. Less than two weeks after stepping into his new role, Pablo Vegas, CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, provided updates on the grid conditions and his priorities as head of the agency at an Oct. 13 news conference. Vegas was joined by Peter Lake, chair of the Public Utility Commission of Texas. Lake touted the power grid’s ability to withstand severe weather conditions, including unusually high temperatures over the summer. The power demand reached record levels 11 times this summer, Lake said, but the grid did not enter emergency conditions.

Vegas emphasized Texans can expect consistency and stability from ERCOT. Power plants and generators across the state have been weatherized for all seasons. Other reforms are also underway, and energy regulators are in the rst phase of a massive system overhaul designed to prevent blackouts and increase eciency, among other initiatives.

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GEORGETOWN EDITION • NOVEMBER 2022