2021 Texas power crisis: Difference between revisions
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The '''2021 Texas power crisis''' in the state of [[Texas]] in the [[United States]] |
The '''2021 Texas power crisis''' is an ongoing crisis in the state of [[Texas]] in the [[United States]] involving mass utilities failure, such as [[power outages]], water and food shortages, and dangerous weather conditions.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Travis Caldwell, Keith Allen and Eric Levenson |title=The Texas power grid is improving. But days of outages have caused heat, water and food shortages |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/18/weather/texas-winter-storm-thursday/index.html |access-date=2021-02-18 |website=CNN}}</ref> The crisis was the result of two severe winter storms sweeping across the United States on [[February 2021 North American ice storm|February 10–11]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rice |first=Doyle |title=Winter storm will bring ice, snow to millions from Texas to New Jersey |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/02/10/winter-storm-bring-ice-snow-millions-along-1-500-mile-stretch/6703408002/ |access-date=2021-02-18 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref> and [[February 13–17, 2021 North American winter storm|13–17]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Irfan |first=Umair |date=2021-02-18 |title=Scientists are divided over whether climate change is fueling extreme cold events |url=https://www.vox.com/22287295/texas-uri-climate-change-cold-polar-vortex-arctic |access-date=2021-02-18 |website=Vox |language=en}}</ref> More than 4.5 million homes and businesses in Texas were left without power,<ref name="winterize">{{cite web|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2021/02/20/texas-power-grid-winterize/|title=Gov. Greg Abbott wants power companies to “winterize.” Texas’ track record won’t make that easy.|author=Erin Douglas|publisher=[[The Texas Tribune]] |date=February 20, 2021|access-date=February 26, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Wright |first1=Will |last2=Robertson |first2=Campbell |date=2021-02-17 |title=Burst Pipes and Power Outages in Battered Texas |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/02/17/us/winter-storm-weather-live |access-date=2021-02-18 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="5 million Americans2">{{Cite web |last1=Sullivan |first1=Brian, K. |last2=Malick |first2=Nauren S. |date=February 16, 2021 |title=5 Million Americans Have Lost Power From Texas to North Dakota After Devastating Winter Storm |url=https://time.com/5939633/texas-power-outage-blackouts/#:~:text=5%20Million%20Americans%20Have%20Lost,on%20Feb.%2015%2C%202021. |access-date=February 16, 2021 |publisher=Time}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=How Many Millions Are Without Power in Texas? |url=https://time.com/5940232/millions-without-power-texas/ |access-date=2021-02-18 |website=Time}}</ref> some for several days. [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] government officials<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Aronoff|first1=Kate|last2=Pareene|first2=Alex|last3=Pareene|first3=Alex|last4=Eldridge|first4=Taylor Elizabeth|last5=Eldridge|first5=Taylor Elizabeth|last6=Shephard|first6=Alex|last7=Shephard|first7=Alex|last8=Shiner|first8=Meredith|last9=Shiner|first9=Meredith|date=2021-02-16|title=Conservatives Are Seriously Accusing Wind Turbines of Killing People in the Texas Blackouts|work=The New Republic|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/161386/conservatives-wind-turbines-killing-people-texas-blackouts|access-date=2021-02-18|issn=0028-6583}}</ref> including Texas governor [[Greg Abbott]]<ref>{{Cite news|last=Shepherd|first=Katie|title=Rick Perry says Texans would accept even longer power outages 'to keep the federal government out of their business'|language=en-US|work=[[Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/02/17/texas-abbott-wind-turbines-outages/|access-date=2021-02-24|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> initially blamed the outages on frozen [[wind turbine]]s and solar panels, but frozen natural gas lines and and a lack of standard winterizing technology was the main cause.<ref name="NYT-20210219">{{Cite news |last=Penney |first=Veronica |date=February 19, 2021 |title=How Texas' Power Generation Failed During the Storm, In Charts |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/02/19/climate/texas-storm-power-generation-charts.html |access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Searcey |first=Dionne |date=2021-02-17 |title=No, Wind Farms Aren't the Main Cause of the Texas Blackouts |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/17/climate/texas-blackouts-disinformation.html |access-date=2021-02-18 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> |
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Texas |
Texas had also intentionally isolated [[Texas Interconnection|its power grid]] from the [[North_American_power_transmission_grid|two major national grids]] in an effort to avoid federal oversight and deregulate their energy sector on behalf of private business, making it difficult for the state to import electricity from other states.<ref>Multiple sources: |
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* {{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-weather-texas-power-insight-idUSKBN2AL00N|title=Why a predictable cold snap crippled the Texas power grid|first=Tim McLaughlin, Stephanie|last=Kelly|date=February 22, 2021|via=www.reuters.com}} |
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* {{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2021-02-25/texas-blackouts-what-went-wrong-with-ercot-and-state-power-grids|title=Why Texas Broke: The Crisis That Sank the State Has No Easy Fix|date=February 25, 2021|via=www.bloomberg.com}} |
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* {{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/02/18/texas-electric-grid-failure/|title=Texas, the go-it-alone state, is rattled by the failure to keep the lights on|first1=Will|last1=Englund|first2=Steven|last2=Mufson|first3=Dino|last3=Grandoni|via=www.washingtonpost.com}}</ref> The crisis caused many experts to call into question the state's preparedness for such a storm, especially in light of [[Deregulation of the Texas electricity market|its deregulated energy market]].<ref>Multiple sources: |
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* {{Cite web |last=Calma |first=Justine |date=2021-02-17 |title=Texas has work to do to avoid another energy crisis |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/17/22288292/texas-grid-upgrade-disaster-planning-power-outage-energy-crisis |access-date=2021-02-18 |website=The Verge |language=en}} |
* {{Cite web |last=Calma |first=Justine |date=2021-02-17 |title=Texas has work to do to avoid another energy crisis |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/17/22288292/texas-grid-upgrade-disaster-planning-power-outage-energy-crisis |access-date=2021-02-18 |website=The Verge |language=en}} |
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* {{Cite web |last=Blackmon |first=David |title=Texas Must Fix Its Chronic Power Grid Resiliency Issues Or Risk Becoming Another California |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidblackmon/2021/02/15/texas-must-fix-its-chronic-power-grid-resiliency-issues-or-risk-becoming-another-california/ |access-date=2021-02-18 |website=Forbes |language=en}} |
* {{Cite web |last=Blackmon |first=David |title=Texas Must Fix Its Chronic Power Grid Resiliency Issues Or Risk Becoming Another California |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidblackmon/2021/02/15/texas-must-fix-its-chronic-power-grid-resiliency-issues-or-risk-becoming-another-california/ |access-date=2021-02-18 |website=Forbes |language=en}} |
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* {{Cite news |last1=Krauss |first1=Clifford |last2=Fernandez |first2=Manny |last3=Penn |first3=Ivan |last4=Rojas |first4=Rick |date=2021-02-21 |title=How Texas' Drive for Energy Independence Set It Up for Disaster |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/21/us/texas-electricity-ercot-blackouts.html |access-date=2021-02-22 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Ten years previously, U.S. Federal regulators |
* {{Cite news |last1=Krauss |first1=Clifford |last2=Fernandez |first2=Manny |last3=Penn |first3=Ivan |last4=Rojas |first4=Rick |date=2021-02-21 |title=How Texas' Drive for Energy Independence Set It Up for Disaster |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/21/us/texas-electricity-ercot-blackouts.html |access-date=2021-02-22 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Ten years previously, U.S. Federal regulators explicitly warned Texas<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-02-17|title=Texas Was Warned a Decade Ago Its Grid Was Unready for Cold|language=en|work=Bloomberg.com|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-17/texas-was-warned-a-decade-ago-its-grid-was-unprepared-for-cold|access-date=2021-03-02}}</ref> in a detailed [https://www.ferc.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/08-16-11-report.pdf report] that its power plants would fail<ref>{{Cite web|last=McCullough|first=Erin Douglas, Kate McGee and Jolie|date=2021-02-18|title=Texas leaders failed to heed warnings that left the state's power grid vulnerable to winter extremes, experts say|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2021/02/17/texas-power-grid-failures/|access-date=2021-03-02|website=The Texas Tribune|language=en}}</ref> in cold conditions that were likely to come. The damages from the blackouts are currently estimated to be $19 billion (2021 [[United States dollar|USD]]).<ref name="may rival">{{cite web|url=https://www.statesman.com/story/business/2021/02/19/texas-power-outages-winter-storm-may-cost-more-than-hurricane-harvey/4507186001/|title=Winter storm damage may rival Hurricane Harvey's price tag, experts say|author1=Bob Sechler|author2=Lori Hawkins |publisher=[[Austin American-Statesman]]|date=February 20, 2021|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref> |
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According to the [[Electric Reliability Council of Texas|Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)]], the Texas power grid was just “seconds or minutes” away from a catastrophic and complete failure of the Texas grid and necessitated partial grid shutdowns.<ref name=severe /> |
According to the [[Electric Reliability Council of Texas|Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)]], the Texas power grid was just “seconds or minutes” away from a catastrophic and complete failure of the Texas grid and necessitated partial grid shutdowns.<ref name=severe /> |
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== Background == |
== Background == |
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In 2011 Texas was hit by the [[2011 Groundhog Day blizzard|Groundhog Day blizzard]], between February 1st and 5th resulting in rolling blackouts across more than 75% of the state.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Federal Regulatory Energy Commission|date=August 2011|title=Report on Outages and Curtailments During the Southwest Cold Weather Event of February 1-5, 2011|work=North American Electric Reliability Corporation|url=https://www.ferc.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/08-16-11-report.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=March 1st, 2021}}</ref> Many roads around Houston were impassable, and boil water advisories were issued in several areas.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tolson|first=Mike|last2=GEORGE<BR>|first2=CINDY|date=2011-02-04|title=Ice may still be a danger on the roads|url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Ice-may-still-be-a-danger-on-the-roads-1690053.php|access-date=2021-03-02|website=Chron|language=en-US}}</ref> Following this disaster, the [[North American Electric Reliability Corporation]] made several recommendations for upgrading Texas' electrical infrastructure to prevent a similar event occuring in the future, but these recommendations were ignored due to the cost of winterizing the systems.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sechler|first=Asher Price and Bob|title=Winter storm blackouts plagued Texas in 2011, too. Recommendations made afterward went unenforced.|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/02/18/state-energy-winter-protections-lacking-reports-have-suggested/4490501001/|access-date=2021-03-02|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US}}</ref> At the time the blackouts and failures in the power grid were likened to those that occured in December of 1989, after which similar recommendations were made to the state government and [[ERCOT]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dexheimer|first=Eric|title=February power blackouts across Texas echoed 1989 failures, state report shows|url=https://www.statesman.com/article/20110411/NEWS/304119704|access-date=2021-03-02|website=Austin American-Statesman|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Sechler|first=Asher Price and Bob|title=Winter storm blackouts plagued Texas in 2011, too. Recommendations made afterward went unenforced.|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/02/18/state-energy-winter-protections-lacking-reports-have-suggested/4490501001/|access-date=2021-03-02|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US}}</ref> |
In 2011 Texas was hit by the [[2011 Groundhog Day blizzard|Groundhog Day blizzard]], between February 1st and 5th resulting in rolling blackouts across more than 75% of the state.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Federal Regulatory Energy Commission|date=August 2011|title=Report on Outages and Curtailments During the Southwest Cold Weather Event of February 1-5, 2011|work=North American Electric Reliability Corporation|url=https://www.ferc.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/08-16-11-report.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=March 1st, 2021}}</ref> Many roads around Houston were impassable, and boil water advisories were issued in several areas.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tolson|first=Mike|last2=GEORGE<BR>|first2=CINDY|date=2011-02-04|title=Ice may still be a danger on the roads|url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Ice-may-still-be-a-danger-on-the-roads-1690053.php|access-date=2021-03-02|website=Chron|language=en-US}}</ref> Following this disaster, the [[North American Electric Reliability Corporation]] made several recommendations for upgrading Texas' electrical infrastructure to prevent a similar event occuring in the future, but these recommendations were ignored due to the cost of winterizing the systems.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sechler|first=Asher Price and Bob|title=Winter storm blackouts plagued Texas in 2011, too. Recommendations made afterward went unenforced.|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/02/18/state-energy-winter-protections-lacking-reports-have-suggested/4490501001/|access-date=2021-03-02|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US}}</ref> At the time the blackouts and failures in the power grid were likened to those that occured in December of 1989, after which similar recommendations were made to the state government and [[ERCOT]], which were similarly ignored.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dexheimer|first=Eric|title=February power blackouts across Texas echoed 1989 failures, state report shows|url=https://www.statesman.com/article/20110411/NEWS/304119704|access-date=2021-03-02|website=Austin American-Statesman|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Sechler|first=Asher Price and Bob|title=Winter storm blackouts plagued Texas in 2011, too. Recommendations made afterward went unenforced.|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/02/18/state-energy-winter-protections-lacking-reports-have-suggested/4490501001/|access-date=2021-03-02|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US}}</ref> |
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In mid-February 2021, a [[2020–21 North American winter#Mid-January blizzard|series of severe winter storms]] swept across the United States. This outbreak was due to the [[jet stream]] dipping particularly far south into the U.S.,<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Hook |first1=Leslie|last2=Bernard|first2=Steven|date=February 20, 2021|title=Climate graphic of the week: Polar vortex sends Texas into deep freeze|work=[[Financial Times]] |url=https://www.ft.com/content/dc74a4fc-9b24-4e77-a8dd-c055f5e0c884|url-status=live|access-date=February 22, 2021}}</ref> stretching from [[Washington (state)|Washington]] to Texas, and running back north along the [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast]], allowing a [[polar vortex]] to bring very cold air across the country, and spawning multiple storms along the jet stream track as a result.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why is it so cold? How the polar vortex brings record low temperatures and winter storms |url=https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/graphics/2021/02/16/how-polar-vortex-creates-record-low-temperatures-and-winter-storms/6750206002/ |access-date=2021-02-19 |website=www.usatoday.com |language=en}}</ref> This weather phenomenon resulted in record low temperatures throughout Texas, with temperatures in [[Dallas]], [[Austin]] and [[San Antonio]] falling below temperatures in [[Anchorage, Alaska]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 17, 2021 |title=A Full List of All The Record Cold Texas Temperatures |url=https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/weather/2021/02/15/a-full-list-of-all-the-record-cold-texas-temperatures |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216194942/https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/weather/2021/02/15/a-full-list-of-all-the-record-cold-texas-temperatures |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |publisher=[[Bay News 9]]}}</ref> |
In mid-February 2021, a [[2020–21 North American winter#Mid-January blizzard|series of severe winter storms]] swept across the United States. This outbreak was due to the [[jet stream]] dipping particularly far south into the U.S.,<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Hook |first1=Leslie|last2=Bernard|first2=Steven|date=February 20, 2021|title=Climate graphic of the week: Polar vortex sends Texas into deep freeze|work=[[Financial Times]] |url=https://www.ft.com/content/dc74a4fc-9b24-4e77-a8dd-c055f5e0c884|url-status=live|access-date=February 22, 2021}}</ref> stretching from [[Washington (state)|Washington]] to Texas, and running back north along the [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast]], allowing a [[polar vortex]] to bring very cold air across the country, and spawning multiple storms along the jet stream track as a result.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why is it so cold? How the polar vortex brings record low temperatures and winter storms |url=https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/graphics/2021/02/16/how-polar-vortex-creates-record-low-temperatures-and-winter-storms/6750206002/ |access-date=2021-02-19 |website=www.usatoday.com |language=en}}</ref> This weather phenomenon resulted in record low temperatures throughout Texas, with temperatures in [[Dallas]], [[Austin]] and [[San Antonio]] falling below temperatures in [[Anchorage, Alaska]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 17, 2021 |title=A Full List of All The Record Cold Texas Temperatures |url=https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/weather/2021/02/15/a-full-list-of-all-the-record-cold-texas-temperatures |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216194942/https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/weather/2021/02/15/a-full-list-of-all-the-record-cold-texas-temperatures |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |publisher=[[Bay News 9]]}}</ref> |
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==Causes== |
==Causes== |
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{{further|Energy in Texas}} |
{{further|Energy in Texas}} |
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The winter storm caused a record low temperature at [[Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport]] of {{convert|-2|°F}} on February 16, the coldest in North Texas in 72 years.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-02-17 |title=Hundreds of thousands remain without power as more snow is headed to Dallas-Fort Worth on heels of record cold |language=en |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/weather/2021/02/16/thousands-still-without-power-as-north-texas-reaches-record-low-temperature/ |access-date=2021-02-18}}</ref> Power equipment in Texas was not [[winterize]]d |
The winter storm caused a record low temperature at [[Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport]] of {{convert|-2|°F}} on February 16, the coldest in North Texas in 72 years.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-02-17 |title=Hundreds of thousands remain without power as more snow is headed to Dallas-Fort Worth on heels of record cold |language=en |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/weather/2021/02/16/thousands-still-without-power-as-north-texas-reaches-record-low-temperature/ |access-date=2021-02-18}}</ref> Power equipment in Texas was not [[winterize]]d, leaving it vulnerable to extended periods of cold weather.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Why Winter Storm Uri Caused Millions of Power Outages in Texas |language=en-US |work=weather.com |url=https://weather.com/news/news/2021-02-16-why-so-many-power-outages-in-texas-winter-storm |access-date=2021-02-18}}</ref><ref name="texas_tribune_warnings">{{Cite news |last=McCullough |first=Erin Douglas, Kate McGee and Jolie |date=2021-02-18 |title=Texas leaders failed to heed warnings that left the state's power grid vulnerable to winter extremes, experts say |language=en |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2021/02/17/texas-power-grid-failures/ |access-date=2021-02-18}}</ref> Texas Governor Greg Abbott and some other politicians initially blamed renewable energy sources for the power outages, citing frozen [[wind turbine]]s as an example of their unreliability.<ref name="abc_green">{{Cite news |work=[[ABC News]] |title=Republicans use Texas power outages to spread false claims about green energy |language=en |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/republicans-texas-power-outages-spread-false-claims-green/story?id=75947664 |access-date=2021-02-18}}</ref> However, renewable energy accounts for only 23% of Texas power output;<ref name="usafactcheck">{{Cite web |last=Link |first=Devon |title=Fact check: Meme of wind turbine being de-iced includes 2015 image from Sweden |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2021/02/18/fact-check-image-meme-wind-turbine-de-icing-sweden/6787470002/ |access-date=2021-02-19 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref> moreover, equipment for other energy sources such as natural gas power generating facilities either freezing up or having mechanical failures were more responsible.<ref name="abc_green" /> Viral images of a helicopter de-icing a Texas wind turbine were actually an image from Sweden taken in 2015.<ref name="usafactcheck" /> Governor Abbott later acknowledged that every source of power, not just renewable ones, had failed.<ref name="abc_green" /> Five times more natural gas than wind power had been lost.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Penney |first=Veronica |date=2021-02-19 |title=How Texas' Power Generation Failed During the Storm, In Charts |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/02/19/climate/texas-storm-power-generation-charts.html |access-date=2021-02-21 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> When power was cut, it disabled some compressors that push gas through pipelines, knocking out further gas plants due to lack of supply.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-02-20 |title=A Giant Flaw in Texas Blackouts: It Cut Power to Gas Supplies |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-20/a-giant-flaw-in-texas-blackouts-it-cut-power-to-gas-supplies |access-date=2021-02-21}}</ref> |
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During the [[2011 Groundhog Day blizzard]], Texas had faced similar power outages due to frozen power equipment, after which the [[Federal Energy Regulatory Commission]] reported that more winterization of power infrastructure was |
During the [[2011 Groundhog Day blizzard]], Texas had faced similar power outages due to frozen power equipment, after which the [[Federal Energy Regulatory Commission]] reported that more winterization of power infrastructure was necessary.<ref name="texas_tribune_warnings" /> ERCOT said that some generators since then implemented new winter "best practices," but these were on a voluntary basis and mandatory regulation had not been established.<ref name="texas_tribune_warnings" /> |
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Gov. Abbott's appointees to the [[Public Utility Commission of Texas]] ended a contract with the Texas Reliability Entity in November 2020, reducing oversight of the grid.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Root|first=Jay|last2=Dexheimer|first2=Eric|date=2021-02-19|title=Abbott appointees made 'astonishing' cuts to power reliability team before deadly Texas storm|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/Abbott-appointees-made-astonishing-cuts-to-15963686.php|access-date=2021-02-26|website=[[Houston Chronicle]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In July, Abbott's comissioners disbanded its Oversight and Enforcement Division, dropping pending cases that ensure reliability.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Dexheimer|first=Eric|last2=Root|first2=Jay|date=2021-02-26|title='Muzzled and eviscerated': Critics say Abbott appointees gutted enforcement of Texas grid rules|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/critics-abbott-power-grid-rules-texas-deadly-storm-15982421.php|access-date=2021-02-26|website=Houston Chronicle|language=en-US}}</ref> While not a direct cause, the Commission's minimal oversight of utility companies, limited budget, and voluntary standards restricted its |
Gov. Abbott's appointees to the [[Public Utility Commission of Texas]] ended a contract with the Texas Reliability Entity in November 2020, reducing oversight of the grid.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Root|first=Jay|last2=Dexheimer|first2=Eric|date=2021-02-19|title=Abbott appointees made 'astonishing' cuts to power reliability team before deadly Texas storm|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/Abbott-appointees-made-astonishing-cuts-to-15963686.php|access-date=2021-02-26|website=[[Houston Chronicle]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In July, Abbott's comissioners disbanded its Oversight and Enforcement Division, dropping pending cases that ensure reliability.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Dexheimer|first=Eric|last2=Root|first2=Jay|date=2021-02-26|title='Muzzled and eviscerated': Critics say Abbott appointees gutted enforcement of Texas grid rules|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/critics-abbott-power-grid-rules-texas-deadly-storm-15982421.php|access-date=2021-02-26|website=Houston Chronicle|language=en-US}}</ref> While not a direct cause, the Commission's minimal oversight of utility companies, limited budget, and voluntary standards restricted its ability to secure consistent performance.<ref name=":1" /> |
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== Impact == |
== Impact == |
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Former [[Colorado City, Texas]], Mayor Tim Boyd faced extreme backlash after he made comments criticizing citizens for not preparing for the winter storm and stating: "the strong will survive and the weak will perish." He resigned following the controversy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-17 |title=Texas mayor quits after calling residents 'lazy' and 'weak' amid power outages from storm |url=https://kvia.com/news/texas/2021/02/16/texas-mayor-quits-after-calling-residents-are-lazy-and-weak-amid-power-outages-from-storm/ |access-date=2021-02-17 |website=KVIA |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Burch |first=Jamie |date=2021-02-16 |title=Colorado City mayor resigns, responds to his controversial Facebook post |url=https://ktxs.com/news/local/colorado-city-mayor-resigns-after-controversial-facebook-post |access-date=2021-02-17 |website=KTXS}}</ref> |
Former [[Colorado City, Texas]], Mayor Tim Boyd faced extreme backlash after he made comments criticizing citizens for not preparing for the winter storm and stating: "the strong will survive and the weak will perish." He resigned following the controversy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-17 |title=Texas mayor quits after calling residents 'lazy' and 'weak' amid power outages from storm |url=https://kvia.com/news/texas/2021/02/16/texas-mayor-quits-after-calling-residents-are-lazy-and-weak-amid-power-outages-from-storm/ |access-date=2021-02-17 |website=KVIA |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Burch |first=Jamie |date=2021-02-16 |title=Colorado City mayor resigns, responds to his controversial Facebook post |url=https://ktxs.com/news/local/colorado-city-mayor-resigns-after-controversial-facebook-post |access-date=2021-02-17 |website=KTXS}}</ref> |
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{{anchor|Cancun Cruz}}Senator [[Ted Cruz]] faced heavy scrutiny over his trip to [[Cancún, Mexico]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Day |first=Nate |title=Kacey Musgraves joins celeb pile-on against Ted Cruz, hawks T-shirts to raise storm-relief cash |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/ted-cruz-trolled-kacey-musgraves-philanthropic-t-shirt |access-date=2021-02-20 |website=Fox |publisher=Fox}}</ref> Text messages from his wife revealed the hastily planned nature of the trip, as an escape from the freezing conditions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldmacher |first=Shane |date=2021-02-18 |title=Ted Cruz's Cancún Trip: Family Texts Detail His Political Blunder |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/18/us/politics/ted-cruz-storm-cancun.html |access-date=2021-02-20 |work=New York Times}}</ref> He received condemnation from his political allies and rivals for leaving the state during a crisis and traveling internationally during the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name="Goldmacher">{{Cite news |last1=Goldmacher |first1=Shane |last2=Fandos |first2=Nicholas |date=2021-02-18 |title=Ted Cruz's Cancún Trip: Family Texts Detail His Political Blunder |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/18/us/politics/ted-cruz-storm-cancun.html |access-date=2021-02-19 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Later that day, he returned back to Texas admitting that the vacation was a mistake.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barrabi |first=Thomas |date=2021-02-18 |title=Cruz admits Cancun trip 'obviously a mistake' as he returns to find protesters outside his Texas home |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/protestors-gather-ted-cruz-home-texas-senator-returns-from-cancun-trip |access-date=2021-02-19 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref> Cruz on February 22 tweeted the news about the hike of electricity rates in Texas, calling "(s)tate and local regulators should act swiftly to prevent this injustice".<ref>{{cite tweet|author=[[Ted Cruz]]|user=tedcruz|date=February 22, 2021|number=1363529410268319747|title=This is WRONG. No power company should get a windfall because of a natural disaster, and Texans shouldn’t get hammered by ridiculous rate increases for last week’s energy debacle. State and local regulators should act swiftly to prevent this injustice.}}</ref> This was criticized as hypocrisy because Cruz had been a strong advocate of the Texan power grid deregulation, one of the |
{{anchor|Cancun Cruz}}Senator [[Ted Cruz]] faced heavy scrutiny over his trip to [[Cancún, Mexico]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Day |first=Nate |title=Kacey Musgraves joins celeb pile-on against Ted Cruz, hawks T-shirts to raise storm-relief cash |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/ted-cruz-trolled-kacey-musgraves-philanthropic-t-shirt |access-date=2021-02-20 |website=Fox |publisher=Fox}}</ref> Text messages from his wife revealed the hastily planned nature of the trip, as an escape from the freezing conditions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldmacher |first=Shane |date=2021-02-18 |title=Ted Cruz's Cancún Trip: Family Texts Detail His Political Blunder |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/18/us/politics/ted-cruz-storm-cancun.html |access-date=2021-02-20 |work=New York Times}}</ref> He received condemnation from his political allies and rivals for leaving the state during a crisis and traveling internationally during the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name="Goldmacher">{{Cite news |last1=Goldmacher |first1=Shane |last2=Fandos |first2=Nicholas |date=2021-02-18 |title=Ted Cruz's Cancún Trip: Family Texts Detail His Political Blunder |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/18/us/politics/ted-cruz-storm-cancun.html |access-date=2021-02-19 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Later that day, he returned back to Texas admitting that the vacation was a mistake.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barrabi |first=Thomas |date=2021-02-18 |title=Cruz admits Cancun trip 'obviously a mistake' as he returns to find protesters outside his Texas home |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/protestors-gather-ted-cruz-home-texas-senator-returns-from-cancun-trip |access-date=2021-02-19 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref> Cruz on February 22 tweeted the news about the hike of electricity rates in Texas, calling "(s)tate and local regulators should act swiftly to prevent this injustice".<ref>{{cite tweet|author=[[Ted Cruz]]|user=tedcruz|date=February 22, 2021|number=1363529410268319747|title=This is WRONG. No power company should get a windfall because of a natural disaster, and Texans shouldn’t get hammered by ridiculous rate increases for last week’s energy debacle. State and local regulators should act swiftly to prevent this injustice.}}</ref> This was criticized as hypocrisy because Cruz had been a strong advocate of the Texan power grid deregulation, one of the major cited reasons which led to this mass power outage.<ref name="Washington Post Cruz regulation">{{citation|first=Meryl |last=Kornfield|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/02/21/ted-cruz-texas-storm-response/|title=Cruz is trying to repair his public image after his Cancún trip. He's still feeling the heat.|work=The Washington Post|date=2021-02-22|access-date=2021-02-22}}</ref> |
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====Federal==== |
====Federal==== |
Revision as of 06:20, 4 March 2021
Date | February 10, 2021 (3 years, 6 months, 2 weeks and 3 days) | – present
---|---|
Location | Texas, United States |
Type | Statewide power outages, food/water shortages |
Cause | Multiple severe winter storms |
Deaths | At least 70[2] |
Property damage | ~$19 billion (2021 USD)[3] |
The 2021 Texas power crisis is an ongoing crisis in the state of Texas in the United States involving mass utilities failure, such as power outages, water and food shortages, and dangerous weather conditions.[4] The crisis was the result of two severe winter storms sweeping across the United States on February 10–11[5] and 13–17.[6] More than 4.5 million homes and businesses in Texas were left without power,[7][8][9][10] some for several days. Republican government officials[11] including Texas governor Greg Abbott[12] initially blamed the outages on frozen wind turbines and solar panels, but frozen natural gas lines and and a lack of standard winterizing technology was the main cause.[13][14]
Texas had also intentionally isolated its power grid from the two major national grids in an effort to avoid federal oversight and deregulate their energy sector on behalf of private business, making it difficult for the state to import electricity from other states.[15] The crisis caused many experts to call into question the state's preparedness for such a storm, especially in light of its deregulated energy market.[16] Ten years previously, U.S. Federal regulators explicitly warned Texas[17] in a detailed report that its power plants would fail[18] in cold conditions that were likely to come. The damages from the blackouts are currently estimated to be $19 billion (2021 USD).[3] According to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the Texas power grid was just “seconds or minutes” away from a catastrophic and complete failure of the Texas grid and necessitated partial grid shutdowns.[19]
Background
In 2011 Texas was hit by the Groundhog Day blizzard, between February 1st and 5th resulting in rolling blackouts across more than 75% of the state.[20] Many roads around Houston were impassable, and boil water advisories were issued in several areas.[21] Following this disaster, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation made several recommendations for upgrading Texas' electrical infrastructure to prevent a similar event occuring in the future, but these recommendations were ignored due to the cost of winterizing the systems.[22] At the time the blackouts and failures in the power grid were likened to those that occured in December of 1989, after which similar recommendations were made to the state government and ERCOT, which were similarly ignored.[23][24]
In mid-February 2021, a series of severe winter storms swept across the United States. This outbreak was due to the jet stream dipping particularly far south into the U.S.,[25] stretching from Washington to Texas, and running back north along the East Coast, allowing a polar vortex to bring very cold air across the country, and spawning multiple storms along the jet stream track as a result.[26] This weather phenomenon resulted in record low temperatures throughout Texas, with temperatures in Dallas, Austin and San Antonio falling below temperatures in Anchorage, Alaska.[27]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/Snow_covering_the_hill_leading_to_the_Texas_Capitol.jpg/220px-Snow_covering_the_hill_leading_to_the_Texas_Capitol.jpg)
On February 10, a winter storm formed north of the Gulf coast, dropping significant amounts of sleet and ice on many states in the Deep South and the Ohio Valley, including Texas, Georgia, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, and states on the East Coast.[28] A second storm developed off the Pacific Northwest on February 13 and began to gradually develop into an organized storm as it tracked southward toward Texas. It grew even more organized as it turned toward the northeast US before splitting in half—one half continued into Quebec and the other moving out over the Atlantic Ocean.[29] This storm, along with various other storms from the previous two weeks, resulted in over 75% of the contiguous U.S. being covered in snow.[30] This storm was directly responsible for nearly 10 million people losing power, with 5.2 million in the US and 4.7 million in Mexico.[31][7] At least 70 people lost their lives,[2][32][33] and a tornado outbreak from the storm spanned Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.[34]
Causes
The winter storm caused a record low temperature at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport of −2 °F (−19 °C) on February 16, the coldest in North Texas in 72 years.[35] Power equipment in Texas was not winterized, leaving it vulnerable to extended periods of cold weather.[36][37] Texas Governor Greg Abbott and some other politicians initially blamed renewable energy sources for the power outages, citing frozen wind turbines as an example of their unreliability.[38] However, renewable energy accounts for only 23% of Texas power output;[39] moreover, equipment for other energy sources such as natural gas power generating facilities either freezing up or having mechanical failures were more responsible.[38] Viral images of a helicopter de-icing a Texas wind turbine were actually an image from Sweden taken in 2015.[39] Governor Abbott later acknowledged that every source of power, not just renewable ones, had failed.[38] Five times more natural gas than wind power had been lost.[40] When power was cut, it disabled some compressors that push gas through pipelines, knocking out further gas plants due to lack of supply.[41]
During the 2011 Groundhog Day blizzard, Texas had faced similar power outages due to frozen power equipment, after which the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission reported that more winterization of power infrastructure was necessary.[37] ERCOT said that some generators since then implemented new winter "best practices," but these were on a voluntary basis and mandatory regulation had not been established.[37]
Gov. Abbott's appointees to the Public Utility Commission of Texas ended a contract with the Texas Reliability Entity in November 2020, reducing oversight of the grid.[42] In July, Abbott's comissioners disbanded its Oversight and Enforcement Division, dropping pending cases that ensure reliability.[43] While not a direct cause, the Commission's minimal oversight of utility companies, limited budget, and voluntary standards restricted its ability to secure consistent performance.[43]
Impact
By February 17, at least 21 people died from causes related to the winter storm.[44] By February 19, the number was updated to at least 32 people who died, with deaths linked to carbon monoxide poisoning, car crashes, drownings, house fires and hypothermia.[32] On February 21, the death toll had increased to 70.[2]
Power outages
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/ERCOT_generation_2021_power_crisis_US_Energy_Information_Administration.jpg/420px-ERCOT_generation_2021_power_crisis_US_Energy_Information_Administration.jpg)
In addition to equipment problems, demand for electricity in Texas hit a record 69,150 megawatts (MW) on February 14 — 3,200 MW higher than the previous record set in January 2018.[46] The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) initiated rotating outages at 1:25am on February 15.[47] The rotating outages prevented electricity demand from overwhelming the grid, a scenario which could have caused equipment to catch fire and power lines to go down, potentially resulting in a much more severe blackout.[19]
At the peak, over 5 million people in Texas were without power,[48] some for more than 3 days.[49] These outages have been felt disproportionately in lower-income and minority ethnic ZIP codes.[50]
During the period of outages, wholesale electric prices went to as high as $9,000/megawatt-hour which was limited as a "system cap",[51] compared to a more typical $50/MWh. Customers with pricing plans based on wholesale prices who had power faced large bills.[52] Some Griddy customers signed up for wholesale variable rates plans allowed by the Texas deregulated electricity market, found themselves facing over $5,000 bills for five days of service during the storm.[53] Wholesale prices stayed at $9,000 for about four days, which is a cap set by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.[53]
Food and water shortages
Water service was disrupted for more than 12 million people due to pipes freezing and bursting.[54] More than 200,000 people in Texas live in areas where water systems were completely non-operational.[54] On February 17, residents of Austin were asked not to drip their faucets despite the risk of pipes freezing as the demand for water in the city was more than 2.5 times the amount supplied on the previous day.[55] The city had lost more than 325 million US gallons (1.23×109 L) of water due to burst pipes by February 18, according to Austin Water Director Greg Meszaros.[56] Nearly 12 million people were advised to boil their tap water before consumption due to low water pressure throughout the pipe network.[57]
People were seen collecting water from the San Antonio River Walk with trash cans.[58]
Due to the inclement weather conditions and extensive power outages, most stores statewide could not keep up with the increased demand for food and other grocery items. Many grocery stores were forced to close due to lack of power and, of the ones that remained open, completely ran out of many basic items like bread, milk, and eggs.[59] Officials also warned that the shortages could be long term, stating that 60% of the region's grapefruit crop and 100% of the orange crop were lost due to the weather.[60]
Infrastructure
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/A_flooded_street_in_Austin_during_the_thaw_following_2021_snowstorm.jpg/220px-A_flooded_street_in_Austin_during_the_thaw_following_2021_snowstorm.jpg)
The inclement weather caused many fire hydrants to be unusable in emergency situations. In one case, firefighters near the San Antonio area had to rely on water tenders to deliver between 2,000 and 3,000 gallons of water to the scene of a fire as the hydrant was unusable.[61]
Plumbing in buildings throughout the state burst due to freezing. Structures were damaged by water and streets were flooded.[62]
Environmental consequences
Significant releases of pollutants due to stopping and starting fossil fuel infrastructure such as chemical plants and fuel refineries were reported. These included one ton of the carcinogen benzene, two tons of sulfur dioxide, 12 tons of natural gas, and 34 tons of carbon monoxide.[63]
Health concerns
Carbon monoxide poisoning
The combination of below freezing temperatures with no power for heat led people to undertake dangerous ways of heating their homes. Deaths attributed to the storm include cases of carbon monoxide poisoning from people running their cars or generators indoors for heating.[44] At least 300 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning have been reported.[64]
COVID-19 response
The state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas was somewhat hampered from the power outage. Water and grid supply were cut off from hospitals. Hospitals still were able to operate with their own power generators.[65] Shipments of vaccines were delayed and facilities that would not be able to store vaccines properly were asked to transfer vaccines to those who could. In most cases, vaccinations were delayed because it was too dangerous for people to travel. [66] About 1000 doses of vaccine were lost as a result of problems.[67]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/Line_at_pharmacy_in_Austin_during_the_2021_Texas_power_crisis.jpg/220px-Line_at_pharmacy_in_Austin_during_the_2021_Texas_power_crisis.jpg)
Hypothermia concerns
Due to the continued power outages across the state, many were faced with freezing temperatures in their homes.[68] The freezing temperatures potentially caused the death of an eleven-year old boy,[69] and a seventy-five year-old veteran[70] amongst others. Zoo, domesticated, and wild animals were also at risk due to the low temperatures with animal sanctuaries and veterinary clinics identifying an increase in hypothermia cases in the animals.[71][72]
Legal
On February 19, a lawsuit was filed in Nueces County and raised allegations against ERCOT, claiming that there were repeated warnings of weaknesses in the state's electric power infrastructure that were ignored. Also named in the lawsuit was the American Electric Power utility company.[73] An additional lawsuit against ERCOT was filed in Fort Bend County.[74] The company has raised claims of sovereign immunity to the legal cases, a legal principle that protects some government agencies from lawsuits if the money spent on legal fees would disrupt "key government services". This defense has been used by ERCOT in other legal cases, and has been upheld by courts.[75]
A class action lawsuit was filed against Texas electricity retailer Griddy, for potential price gouging by a Chambers County resident after receiving a $9,000 bill for electricity during the week of the storm, compared to an average $200 bill.[76]
Response
Government response
State
Governor Abbott issued a disaster declaration on February 12, whereby he mobilized various departments including the Texas Military Department for snow clearance and assistance to stranded motorists.[77] As the situation worsened, Governor Abbott requested a Federal Emergency Declaration on February 13,[78] which President Biden approved on February 14.[79]
In an effort to alleviate the energy shortage, Governor Abbott ordered natural gas producers not to export gas out of state and to sell it within Texas instead.[80] He even called for the resignation of ERCOT leaders.[81]
Former Representative Beto O'Rourke ran a virtual phone bank to contact over 780,000 seniors across the state.[82]
Former Colorado City, Texas, Mayor Tim Boyd faced extreme backlash after he made comments criticizing citizens for not preparing for the winter storm and stating: "the strong will survive and the weak will perish." He resigned following the controversy.[83][84]
Senator Ted Cruz faced heavy scrutiny over his trip to Cancún, Mexico.[85] Text messages from his wife revealed the hastily planned nature of the trip, as an escape from the freezing conditions.[86] He received condemnation from his political allies and rivals for leaving the state during a crisis and traveling internationally during the COVID-19 pandemic.[87] Later that day, he returned back to Texas admitting that the vacation was a mistake.[88] Cruz on February 22 tweeted the news about the hike of electricity rates in Texas, calling "(s)tate and local regulators should act swiftly to prevent this injustice".[89] This was criticized as hypocrisy because Cruz had been a strong advocate of the Texan power grid deregulation, one of the major cited reasons which led to this mass power outage.[90]
Federal
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/70/Biden_visits_Texas_after_winter_storm_damage_%281%29.jpg/220px-Biden_visits_Texas_after_winter_storm_damage_%281%29.jpg)
On February 14, President Biden declared that an emergency exists in the State of Texas, authorizing the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide emergency assistance throughout Texas.[79] FEMA has sent 60 generators as well as water and blankets to the state.[91]
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez organized a fundraiser to provide food, water, and shelter to affected Texans, raising $2 million in its first day.[92] She followed up with a trip to Houston to help alongside volunteers with recovery.[93]
Community response
Local churches, community centers and other locations opened warming stations for affected individuals as well as asked for physical and monetary donations to help those affected.[94] Celebrities such as Beyoncé, Reese Witherspoon, and Pierre Desir, teamed up with companies to provide monetary relief, donated personally, and supplied donation links to their social media followers to raise relief and awareness.[95]
Investigations
About ten years earlier, on August 16, 2011, a 357-page report was released by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in response to the February 2011 power outage in Texas.[96]
On February 16, 2021, Governor Greg Abbott declared that ERCOT reform is an emergency priority for the state legislature, and there will be an investigation of the power outage to determine long-term solutions.[97]
Aftermath
Five unaffiliated members of ERCOT resigned due to the power failures. All five lived out of state.[98]
See also
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Deregulation of the Texas electricity market
- List of power stations in Texas
- List of major power outages
- 2020–21 North American winter
- Energy entities
- Energy Information Administration (EIA)
- Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
- North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)
- Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT)
- Texas Reliability Entity (Texas RE)
References
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- ^ a b c Celene Castronuovo (February 21, 2021). "Close to 70 dead in states with severe winter weather: report". The Hill. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
- ^ a b Bob Sechler; Lori Hawkins (February 20, 2021). "Winter storm damage may rival Hurricane Harvey's price tag, experts say". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ Travis Caldwell, Keith Allen and Eric Levenson. "The Texas power grid is improving. But days of outages have caused heat, water and food shortages". CNN. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
- ^ Rice, Doyle. "Winter storm will bring ice, snow to millions from Texas to New Jersey". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
- ^ Irfan, Umair (February 18, 2021). "Scientists are divided over whether climate change is fueling extreme cold events". Vox. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
- ^ a b Erin Douglas (February 20, 2021). "Gov. Greg Abbott wants power companies to "winterize." Texas' track record won't make that easy". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ Wright, Will; Robertson, Campbell (February 17, 2021). "Burst Pipes and Power Outages in Battered Texas". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
- ^ Sullivan, Brian, K.; Malick, Nauren S. (February 16, 2021). "5 Million Americans Have Lost Power From Texas to North Dakota After Devastating Winter Storm". Time. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "How Many Millions Are Without Power in Texas?". Time. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
- ^ Aronoff, Kate; Pareene, Alex; Pareene, Alex; Eldridge, Taylor Elizabeth; Eldridge, Taylor Elizabeth; Shephard, Alex; Shephard, Alex; Shiner, Meredith; Shiner, Meredith (February 16, 2021). "Conservatives Are Seriously Accusing Wind Turbines of Killing People in the Texas Blackouts". The New Republic. ISSN 0028-6583. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
- ^ Shepherd, Katie. "Rick Perry says Texans would accept even longer power outages 'to keep the federal government out of their business'". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
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- ^ Multiple sources:
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{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - "Why Texas Broke: The Crisis That Sank the State Has No Easy Fix". February 25, 2021 – via www.bloomberg.com.
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- ^ Multiple sources:
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- ^ "Texas Was Warned a Decade Ago Its Grid Was Unready for Cold". Bloomberg.com. February 17, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
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{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Douglas, Erin (February 18, 2021). "Texas was "seconds and minutes" away from catastrophic monthslong blackouts, officials say". Texas Tribune. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Federal Regulatory Energy Commission (August 2011). "Report on Outages and Curtailments During the Southwest Cold Weather Event of February 1-5, 2011" (PDF). North American Electric Reliability Corporation. Retrieved March 1st, 2021.
{{cite news}}
: Check date values in:|access-date=
(help)CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Tolson, Mike; GEORGE
, CINDY (February 4, 2011). "Ice may still be a danger on the roads". Chron. Retrieved March 2, 2021. - ^ Sechler, Asher Price and Bob. "Winter storm blackouts plagued Texas in 2011, too. Recommendations made afterward went unenforced". USA TODAY. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
- ^ Dexheimer, Eric. "February power blackouts across Texas echoed 1989 failures, state report shows". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
- ^ Sechler, Asher Price and Bob. "Winter storm blackouts plagued Texas in 2011, too. Recommendations made afterward went unenforced". USA TODAY. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
- ^ Hook, Leslie; Bernard, Steven (February 20, 2021). "Climate graphic of the week: Polar vortex sends Texas into deep freeze". Financial Times. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Why is it so cold? How the polar vortex brings record low temperatures and winter storms". www.usatoday.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "A Full List of All The Record Cold Texas Temperatures". Bay News 9. February 17, 2021. Archived from the original on February 16, 2021.
- ^ Rice, Doyle. "Winter storm will bring ice, snow to millions from Texas to New Jersey". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ Service, NOAA's National Weather. "WPC Surface Analysis Archive". www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ Findell, Talal Ansari and Elizabeth (February 17, 2021). "Deadly Winter Storm Creates Havoc Across the U.S." Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "5 Million Americans Have Lost Power After a Devastating Winter Storm". Time. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ a b Thebault, Reis; Firozi, Paulina; Shammas, Brittany (February 21, 2021). "58 people died in last week's frigid weather. Some of them were just trying to stay warm". Washington Post. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "At least 49 people dead from extreme winter weather". ABC Columbia. February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ WRAL (February 16, 2021). "EF-3 tornado kills 3, causes extensive damage in Brunswick County". WRAL.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Hundreds of thousands remain without power as more snow is headed to Dallas-Fort Worth on heels of record cold". February 17, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
- ^ "Why Winter Storm Uri Caused Millions of Power Outages in Texas". weather.com. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
- ^ a b c McCullough, Erin Douglas, Kate McGee and Jolie (February 18, 2021). "Texas leaders failed to heed warnings that left the state's power grid vulnerable to winter extremes, experts say". Retrieved February 18, 2021.
{{cite news}}
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