Nothing Abbott could have done. Providers had weather forecasts but the wind turbines literally froze in West Texas and then sustained sub-zero temps shut down production facilities and apparently they all started going down at the same time. Not enough time to produce energy to replace it. The rotating blackouts are to keep the system from overloading entirely. But they didn’t produce the energy required to go back online + they physically can’t get out to some areas that are damaged. They lost 37,000 MW (1 mw powers 500 homes) in almost an instant. Texas increases its renewables portfolio every year. They voluntarily have produced beyond statutory requirements. But wind can’t blow frozen turbines and the sun can’t shine through the clouds and snow. There was already a natural gas production shortage dating back to last year due to covid/gas production. I really don’t know what could have been done differently here. Maybe they could have weatherized better but those recs (non mandatory I believe) came from a 1989 event. Last time we had something like this was the summer of 2011.
Man, this is rough. Don't wanna stay because there's no running water (although there is power on, where I live in Katy). Don't wanna leave because icy roads, Covid and there's really nowhere to go.
And yet it seems as if nothing has been learned since then... I don't mind the rolling blackouts, just as long as they roll.. We have had power for only an hour an a half in the last 24 hours while some that I know (only 5 mins from me) have yet to lose power... some power on an hour off an hour... So there is a lot to be done... Abbott and his crew were not prepared... T_Man
And yet it seems as if nothing has been learned since then... I don't mind the rolling blackouts, just as long as they roll.. We have had power for only an hour an a half in the last 24 hours while some that I know (only 5 mins from me) have yet to lose power... some power on an hour off an hour... So there is a lot to be done... Abbott and his crew were not prepared... T_Man
Power just kicked back on in 77386 after 33 hours straight without it. Hopefully it’ll stay on long enough to heat the house up from 45.
Y If only it worked that way. You can’t weatheriZe a state electric grid in 72 hours or even a few months. It’s a long term project and again, we’ve had one storm like this 30 years ago. Wanting to prepare for the absolute worst case scenario is understandable, but not practical. Mother Nature won this round. Literally nothing Abbott could have done other than make spending a billion dollars to weatheriZe the grid for a storm event that has happens once a generation or less.
power came back and now my thermostat reads 40 and the fan is possessed, starts and stops even though I've switched off on the thermostat. Even took the batteries out. Any Bob Vila's in here?
Back on here after 30 hours without power. Spent a very cold, cold night bundled up under as many layers as possible.
So, Not only has my power been out and no warm water my phone crashed on me. At least I had a friends business to come to and use my computer and a work cell for emergency. My office still has no power. I hate cold weather so much and this is why I fight the crown who complains about a heat wave so much
Gov. Abbott and the GOP need to pay with their jobs. Repubs have had control of Texas for 26 years. The pushed Deregulation of the Power Grid. Now, he is say some regulation is need. **** you and your sorry ass. Maybe instead of licking Trump's nuts to keep him in power and protect his ego, you should have been doing your job.
WRT birds, they are looking for food as they need to eat a lot to withstand these temps. That is why you are seeing so many of them power finally went out at 6:3 last night. Still out. Have a gas portable gen but it ran 3 small space heaters which kept things around 65 which was bearable. It is off right now as this might be days and need a bit of limited heat at night. Hoping for a blast of power so I can take a quick shower
A billion dollars divided by 17 million people over 10 or 30 years is not a lot of money. It's the kind of things governments should do because it's their job. But I guess people don't want pay $1 or 2 extra on their power bill. And also north Texas gets pretty cold.
Has anyone actually ordered from Grubhub/Postmates/Doordash? My parents are seniors and are asking if food delivery is still available. Their power went out at 2 am this morning.
Lol they need to pay with their LIFE, AND THEIR ENTIRE FAMILIES LIVES!!!! 26 YEARS OF TRUMP KNOBSLOBBING RABBLE RABBLE. If only the Dems had been in power this would have been completely prevented!!!!
Cold weather is fine if your infrastructure is ready for it. We've been in subzero temperatures continuously here in Minnesota for days and no one is worried about a loss of electricity or gas. This falls squarely on the feet of ERCOT and the Texas government. Its not like Texas hasn't had major freezes before. This is a once a decade type event. In the same way you design your infrastructure to handle severe weather events like hurricanes, you need to do the same for cold weather. Texas has been underinvesting in its grid for years and now we finally saw the wheels fall off. Also, ERCOT needs to go away and Texas's grid needs to be integrated with the rest of the US (which would allow Texas to import more electricity from other parts of the US when this sort of thing happens).
Power back!! My kids hate snow now, snow is the enemy, snow took the wifi. Having trouble with the toilets but other than that I'm not complaining.
