Tag

Ercot

All articles tagged with #ercot

politics18 days ago•3 min saved

Texas freezes data-center permits while audits review grid and water impact

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to halt all data-center permits until ERCOT completes an audit of their impact on grid reliability and water resources, with involvement from PUCT and TWDB. Data centers must fund their own electrical infrastructure, report electricity and water usage, avoid using water needed by local communities, and comply with setback requirements. TCEQ will align permitting with audit findings and report back to the governor by Oct. 19, 2026; Abbott also intends to pursue eliminating data-center incentives in the next legislative session.

via Click2Houston|

#data-centers #ercot #greg-abbott

politics18 days ago•5 min saved

Texas Gov. Halts New Data Center Permits Amid Electricity Audit

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott expanded a moratorium on new data centers, ordering the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to halt environmental permits and block connections to the state grid until an ERCOT electricity-use audit is completed (potentially through December). He also directed the Texas Water Development Board to crack down on data-center water use and signaled a move to cut incentives for the industry, framing the measure as putting Texans first amid concerns over power and water costs ahead of the November election.

via Politico|

#abbott #audits #data-centers

energy1 month ago•38 min saved

Texas clears 400-plus miles of 765-kV lines to power Permian Basin amid landowner backlash

Texas regulators unanimously approved amendments to two CCNs to allow Oncor to build more than 400 miles of 765-kilovolt transmission lines spanning at least 30 counties to alleviate a long-running West Texas energy bottleneck and support oil, gas and industrial manufacturing, as part of the Permian Basin Reliability Plan. The decision, which could pave the way for construction pending possible legal challenges, came despite heavy landowner opposition and calls from some lawmakers to pause and reform the process; a separate Howard Solstice line decision was tabled. Proponents say the lines will improve reliability and interconnection to the ERCOT grid, while critics warn of environmental and property impacts and potential cost increases for consumers.

via The Texas Tribune|

#energy #ercot #landowners

politics2 months ago•21 min saved

Trump calls Texas data-center stance a 'mistake' as Abbott orders grid audits

President Trump criticized Texas’ anti-data-centers stance as a 'mistake' while Gov. Abbott paused approvals for data centers connecting to the grid and ordered audits of their power/water use, cooling plans, tax breaks, and ownership to protect grid reliability amid local opposition and a major industry investment.

via The Texas Tribune|

#donald-trump #ercot #greg-abbott

technology2 months ago•1 min saved

Texas Orders Audit of Data Center Boom to Guard Grid Reliability

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the Public Utility Commission of Texas and ERCOT to review proposed new data centers, collecting details on ownership, finances, planned power needs, water use, and mitigation plans, after Texas hosts about 521 data centers and ERCOT is evaluating more than 474 gigawatts in grid-connection requests—over 90% tied to data centers—warning that unprecedented load growth could threaten grid reliability.

via Engadget|

#abbott #data-centers #ercot

energy2 months ago•35 min saved

Texas halts data-center approvals for state-led audits of energy, water, and incentives

Governor Greg Abbott ordered audits of all data centers seeking connection to the ERCOT grid, pausing approvals until the Public Utility Commission and ERCOT verify details on tax breaks, electricity, water use, cooling, local impacts, and ownership; with more than 1,800 projects in the interconnection queue (about 90% data centers) the move could slow hyperscale development and heighten calls for transparency and tighter regulation.

via The Texas Tribune|

#data-centers #energy #ercot

politics2 months ago•12 min saved

Texas lawmakers push pause on giant power lines amid landowner concerns

Texas lawmakers are pressuring regulators to pause and overhaul the Permian Basin Reliability Plan, a proposed build-out of three 765-kV transmission lines to deliver electricity to West Texas oil fields. They say the current PUC permitting process is broken, raises private-property-rights concerns, lacks adequate notice, and carries an estimated $33 billion cost, prompting calls for reform before approval. Proponents say the lines are needed for grid reliability, while critics demand a thorough process review after a lengthy hearing that highlighted broad landowner opposition; Oncor and some industry voices caution that construction should proceed to meet growing energy needs.

via The Texas Tribune|

#ercot #landowners #politics

environment3 months ago•13 min saved

Texas tops the nation in proposed data-center power plants, triggering climate and grid concerns

Texas leads the nation in proposed power plants to fuel data centers, with 32 of 74 nationwide planned in the state and the potential to emit about 287 million tons of greenhouse gases annually plus significant air pollutants. The surge is tied to a booming AI/data-center sector and Texas’ business-friendly climate, but critics warn it could strain the grid, raise electricity costs for residents, and worsen health disparities in already vulnerable communities. Proponents point to efficiency and on-site generation, while policymakers weigh regulatory and fiscal implications amid rapid growth.

via The Texas Tribune|

#air-pollution #data-centers #environment

technology4 months ago•33 min saved

Texas Data-Center Boom Tests Grid, Water and Local Attitudes

Texas is seeing a surge of planned data centers that could demand massive electricity and water, prompting ERCOT to batch-review proposals and locals to push for protections against higher bills, noise, and water stress as the state aims to become a leading AI infrastructure hub.

via The Texas Tribune|

#data-centers #ercot #grid-reliability

energy8 months ago•3 min saved

DOE Orders Backup Generators to Stabilize Texas Grid During Winter Storm

The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order directing ERCOT to require large energy users (including data centers) to run backup generators to bolster the Texas grid amid Winter Storm Fern, with exemptions for certain facilities and authorities to mobilize up to about 35 GW of backup generation; the order, which can be invoked if the grid reaches an emergency level, remains in effect until Tuesday.

via fox4news.com|

#backup-generators #doe-emergency-order #energy

technology8 months ago•2 min saved

ERCOT Real-Time Grid Pulse: Texas Power Supply, Demand, and Conditions

KHOU highlights ERCOT’s real-time dashboard that shows current and forecasted Texas power supply and demand, grid health, and operating reserves, plus monitors like solar output and prices; it notes Entergy Texas isn’t on ERCOT and points readers to MISO for grid checks outside Texas.

via khou.com|

#ercot #grid-conditions #power-grid

weather8 months ago•22 min saved

Arctic storm grips Texas with ice, outages, and travel hazards

An arctic winter storm blankets much of Texas with freezing rain, sleet and dangerous travel conditions, prompting a disaster declaration for more than 130 counties while officials note the ERCOT grid is prepared, though local outages are still possible as the storm continues into the weekend and beyond.

via texastribune.org|

#ercot #ice-storm #power-outages

weather8 months ago•14 min saved

Texas Prepares for Weekend Winter Storm, Emphasizing Grid Resilience

Texas braces for a weekend Arctic cold snap with snow, sleet, and ice while officials say the state’s power grid is better prepared than during Winter Storm Uri, thanks to more generation (solar, wind, batteries) and hardened natural-gas facilities. ERCOT projects sufficient generation to meet demand, though ice and downed tree limbs could cause local outages. Preparations include warming centers, road treatment, and emergency response teams; Dallas and Austin are expanding warming-center capacity, and Texas leaders plan briefings to coordinate across agencies.

via texastribune.org|

#ercot #naturalgas #texas

energy2 years ago•2 min saved

Texas Faces Looming Power Crisis as Demand Soars and Grid Weaknesses Persist

Texas will need nearly double its current power supply by 2030 due to increasing population and high demand from large customers like oil and gas companies and data centers. ERCOT predicts demand could reach 150GW, up from last year's record 85GW. New legislation and large customer practices are causing concerns among residents. While reforms were made after Winter Storm Uri, critics argue they are insufficient. However, the situation may boost renewable energy initiatives and conservation programs.

via Newser|

#energy #energy-demand #ercot

science-and-technology2 years ago•2 min saved

"Preparing for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse: Impacts on Power, Food, and Duration"

The path of April's total solar eclipse is expected to briefly reduce solar power output in Texas, but experts assure that the electric grid can compensate for the dip using other energy sources. The eclipse's impact on the US power grid is not anticipated to cause significant disruptions, as utility companies can prepare for its path, timing, and duration. Homeowners relying solely on solar power and situated in the path of totality may experience a brief impact, but overall, the eclipse is not a cause for concern and can be enjoyed safely with proper eyewear.

via USA TODAY|

#energy-grid #ercot #renewable-energy