The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has declared a high state of emergency in the aftermath of an unusual winter storm that has ravaged the Lone Star State, leaving record low temperatures while leaving millions without power.
The electricity grid operator had previously asked that Texans reduce their electricity consumption as much as possible until Tuesday.
“We are experiencing record-breaking demand for electricity due to the extreme cold temperatures that are gripping Texas,” said Bill Magness, President and CEO of ERCOT.
He added, “At the same time, we are facing more than normal power outages due to frozen wind turbines and limited natural gas supplies available to production units. We ask Texans to take some simple, safe steps to reduce their energy usage. during this time. “
ERCOT is urging Texans to take energy-saving precautions, including turning off and unplugging non-essential lights and appliances, avoiding the use of large appliances, and lowering thermostats to 68 degrees.
On Monday evening, the Texas Public Utility Commission authorized ERCOT to adjust its pricing models as demand increases, NBC4i reports.
“The Commission considers this outcome to be contrary to the fundamental design of the ERCOT market,” the order read. “Energy prices should reflect the scarcity of supply. When the load is thrown off the customer, the scarcity is at its maximum, and the market price for the energy needed to serve that load should also be the highest.”
In a Tuesday interview with WFAA, Magness noted that 70 to 80 of the 680 power plants in the state are still offline. As of Tuesday morning, at least 4 million Texans were without power.
Texas residents criticize state officials’ lack of emergency preparedness for continuing to brave unusually cold temperatures.
At least 11 people died as a result of the winter storm, including a woman and a girl who reportedly died from carbon monoxide poisoning after stowing in their car in a garage to keep warm.
Magness said the storm, with its combination of low temperatures, snow and freezing rain, was historic and called for a re-evaluation of the state’s preparedness.
“The amount of demand it puts on the electrical system far exceeds any extreme predictions we’ve had in the past,” he told WFAA. “We need to recalibrate based on what we’ve seen with the storm system.”