Story perspectives

Texas Prepares for Severe Winter Storm Amid Power Concerns

1/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

Texas braces for a severe winter storm and concerns about power grid reliability.
Matthew Boms, executive director of Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance, notes improvements since the 2021 Winter Storm Uri, including weather-emergency standards for power plants.
Wind, solar, and battery power now account for 90% of new generation.
Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) will prioritize emergency services during blackouts.
Households should use distributed energy resources to support grid stability.

History

Historical Context

In February 2021, Winter Storm Uri struck Texas, causing unprecedented power outages and nearly 200 fatalities. This crisis echoed past failures, notably the 2011 Groundhog Day blizzard, which highlighted the need for winterization of power infrastructure. In response, Texas implemented new weather-emergency standards, emphasizing the importance of renewable energy sources, which now account for 90% of new energy generation, to enhance grid reliability.

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Story summary

Texas braces for a severe winter storm and concerns about power grid reliability.
Matthew Boms, executive director of Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance, notes improvements since the 2021 Winter Storm Uri, including weather-emergency standards for power plants.
Wind, solar, and battery power now account for 90% of new generation.
Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) will prioritize emergency services during blackouts.
Households should use distributed energy resources to support grid stability.

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