[4] Relatively few electric customers lost power in those regions. There, he oversaw Commercial Operations and Grid Planning and Operations. of Texas. It puts a lot of wear and tear on some of these older machines. After the power grid crisis during the February 2021 winter storm that left millions of Texans in the dark during dayslong power outages and caused hundreds of deaths, the Texas Legislature ordered the PUC to make several major changes, including requiring power plants to better prepare for very cold conditions and implementing a reliability standard for the states electricity market. Box 12428 She is a mentor for American Corporate Partners. [36][37] During the power loss, some Texans were forced to survive in record freezing temperatures down to 2F (19C). The PUCs proposal aims to reduce that risk to once per decade. [59][60][61][62] On February 23, ERCOT announced the resignation of five out-of-state board members effective the end of the board meeting the following day. Energy experts say lawmakers could have passed legislation to pay consumers to reduce electricity usage or help Texans better insulate their homes and reduce their electricity usage. ", One of the main questions from attendees was on equitable load-shedding during a blackout; many emailed asking why Downtown's lights stayed on. Thats because we want to stay far enough away from a rolling outage scenario that were asking for it early, Jones said to the Houston Chronicle. [45], On February 16, 2021, it was reported that at least 10 deaths were linked to the 2021 ERCOT grid power outages. See more of Electric Reliability Council of Texas on Facebook. The terms of Mr. Jones' engagement with ERCOT will be established with the ERCOT Human Resources and Governance Committee, subject to Board approval. [9], ERCOT is a membership-based 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation,[12][13] and its members include consumers, electric cooperatives, generators, power marketers, retail electric providers, investor-owned electric utilities (transmission and distribution providers), and municipally owned electric utilities. September 28, 2021 | Austin, Texas July 13, 2021 / 8:50 AM / CBS Texas. Before fielding questions, Jones opened with describing several measures ERCOT has already taken, including facility inspections of weatherization measures by the Public Utility Commission of Texas and introducing statewide emergency alerts through the Texas Division of Emergency Management. Confidential proposals were due April 9, and ERCOT received eight proposals that it is evaluating for Board consideration. Recommendations made afterward went unenforced. or. Brad Jones became ERCOT's vice president of Commercial Operations in April 2013. Regional transmission organization in Texas, The Wall Street Journal, "Texas Power Grid Operator Fires CEO," March 4, 2021, North American Electric Reliability Corporation, deregulation of the Texas electricity market, February 2011, a major winter storm impacted Texas, February 1317, 2021 North American winter storm, Deregulation of the Texas electricity market, "Electric Reliability Council Of Texas Inc 10 10 90 - Nonprofit Explorer", "Pablo Vegas, a utility executive in Ohio, named ERCOT's new CEO", "The Texas Freeze: Why the Power Grid Failed", "Electric Power Monthly - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)". But it would add financial rewards for power plants that can quickly produce electricity when the grid is at its most stressed, such as during very hot or very cold days. [27] At 1:25a.m. on February 15, ERCOT began requesting blackouts from service providers. Avoid using large appliances (i.e., ovens, washing machines, and dishwashers). During a press conference last week, Vegas and Lake both emphasized that the proposed changes would be technologically agnostic and would not prioritize one source of power generation over another. You can get the very latest forecast anytime by bookmarking our weather page and downloading the KSAT Weather Authority App - available for both Apple and Android devices. My guarantee to you is that we intend to communicate more clearly than weve done in the past, Jones told lawmakers. Companies are unlikely to begin investing in building new plants until the law is clear, she said. Prior to becoming President and CEO of the New York ISO, Brad served as Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. Melissa Trevino of Houston is the Assistant Vice President for Power at Occidental Energy Ventures, where she leads the energy management team and oversees the power reporting and compliance group. Matt Payne reports on Frisco City Hall and its committees, Collin County Commissioners and McKinney business. Disclosure: Texas Competitive Power Advocates has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. READ ALSO: ERCOT hearings continue in Austin. Its a shame the public doesnt have confidence in the system, state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, told Jones. Texas Public Utility Commission Chair Peter Lake and ERCOT President Brad Jones said the power grid is prepared for record-breaking summer electricity demand. [28] On February 16, electricity shortages caused the price of electricity to spike to over $9,000 per megawatt-hour (MWh),[27][29][30] whereas the week before, the lowest price of power had been less than $30 a MWh. Brad Jones, and the three-member board of the Public Utility Commission, which oversees Jones and the Electric . An immediate concern Jones must confront at ERCOT is the prospect of an atypical summer that pushes demand for electricity beyond normal summer peaks. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands. Stones received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from Stanford University and a Master of Business Administration from Louisiana State University. broke down Friday, and industry officials say others did, too. Thanks to an updated method for conservation notices, ERCOT has also been able to cut demand beyond what officials expected. [52], The ERCOT organization is governed by a board of directors made up of independent members, consumers and representatives from each of ERCOT's electric market segments. Ensure doors and windows are sealed properly. On May 4, 1976, Central Southwest Holdings attempted to force the issue, with an event that was later called the "Midnight Connection", where it connected the grid to Oklahoma for a few hours. Energy experts have raised concerns about the states aging energy infrastructure following the February storm, and state Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, questioned the grid officials about those concerns. On Wednesday, Jan. 26, the League of Women Voters and state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, hosted the Electric Reliability Council of Texas' interim CEO Brad Jones on a "listening tour" to explain what's being done to prepare the grid for another winter storm. Any blackouts expected each year is unacceptable, Lake said, pointing out that many coal- and natural-gas-fired power plants, which can typically produce power consistently during times when renewables cannot, are being shut down. ", "I commend the ERCOT Board for confirming a leader of Brad's caliber as interim CEO," said PUC Chairman Peter Lake. Nate Murphy of San Antonio is Senior Counsel for Valero. Based on our data team's research, Brad Jones is the Electric Reliability Council of Texas's CEO. TIS members adopted official operating guides for their interconnected power system and established two monitoring centers within the control centers of two utilities, one in North Texas and one in South Texas. [38], On February 16, Governor Greg Abbott declared that ERCOT reform would be an emergency priority for the state legislature, and there would be an investigation of the power outage to determine long-term solutions. [14], Power demand in the ERCOT region is typically highest in summer, primarily due to air conditioning use in homes and businesses. The rule, if implemented, would punish those who failed to produce the power they promised with financial penalties. The threat is real, and its happening, he said. Jones was formerly a. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington. Overall, Jones says, "We've been bringing on additional reserves to make sure we have an abundance of caution. The board oversees major functions of ERCOT: open access to the transmission grid on nondiscriminatory terms, system reliability and adequacy, and . Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. AUSTIN, Texas -- During February's deadly winter storm, Gov. Pablo Vegaswill take over the president and CEO role for the. Turn off lights, computers, and other electronic devices whenever possible. Regulators say it would. Board of Directors. Texas is likely to see a hotter and drier summer than normal this year, according to an April climate outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and 2021 is likely to rank among the 10 warmest years on record globally. | She has reported on several high-profile stories during her career at KSAT and specializes in trending news and things to do around Texas and San Antonio. Theyre discussing it anyway. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages the flow of electric power to 22 million Texas customers. Its our 10th year participating in Amplify, and to celebrate, weve got $15,000 in matching funds from four generous Tribune supporters. Taylor received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of New Hampshire. Some key points in the plan include requiring CEOs of energy companies to sign a letter that their equipment is prepared to withstand inclement weather, incentivizing power plant operators to store reserve fuel onsite in case of emergencies and re-writing ERCOTs external communications materials to better inform the public about the state of Texas power supply. ERCOT's interim president appeared before a Senate committee on Tuesday to discuss efforts to improve the state's electrical grid. ", To attempt to corral gas providers, Jones recommended a gas desk at ERCOT to "advise all operators of any gas limitations, maintenance, forced outages, or supply inadequacy." Your donation keeps our trusted reporting free and accessible for all Texans and during a legislative session when lawmakers are set to tackle issues from school choice for K-12 students to school safety improvements to changes in property taxes, its critical that Texans know what lawmakers decisions mean for their futures. She has worked for Occidental since 2003. He did not elaborate. Jon Taylor of Austin is the Corporate Vice President of Fab Engineering and Public Affairs at Samsung Austin Semiconductor, where he is responsible for factory engineering for operations including safety, quality, cost, and productivity for all production equipment and supporting personnel. Rep. Richard Pea Raymond, D-Laredo, said he doesnt understand why lawmakers in the Senate asked the PUC to hit the brakes on its proposal. Copyright 1981-2023 Austin Chronicle Corp. All rights reserved. He has more than 25 years of experience in energy, plastics, and hydrocarbon markets. (Matt Payne/Community Impact Newspaper). On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Double your gift when you give by 6 p.m. Thursday. [18], At the beginning of World War II, several electric utilities in Texas agreed to operate together as the Texas Interconnected System (TIS) to support the war effort. Leaders of the Texas power grid tried to assure the public Tuesday that the states grid is ready for summer, when they forecast record-breaking demand for electricity during the hottest stretches. Your donation keeps our trusted reporting free and accessible for all Texans and during a legislative session when lawmakers are set to tackle issues from school choice for K-12 students to school safety improvements to changes in property taxes, its critical that Texans know what lawmakers decisions mean for their futures. Pavon's family sued Entergy Texas and ERCOT for gross negligence. AUSTIN, Texas -- The board overseeing the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the independent nonprofit entity that operates and manages the electricity grid that covers much of. by Mitchell Ferman Brad Jones. [63][64][65], It has a headquarters in Austin and an additional complex in Taylor.[66]. On March 10, 2021, ERCOT provided an update to the Public Utility Commission of Texas on its governance status. Breaking down the state's power sources from gas to wind. On Tuesday, Jones released a 60-point plan aimed at building lawmakers and the publics confidence in the power grids reliability. ERCOT is the independent system operator (ISO) for the region. Brad Jones, Interim CEO, Electric Reliability Council of Texas WHAT: Summer 2022 Texas grid readiness and CDR/SARA overview WHERE: . 9:50 AM Dec 2, 2021 CST generation units 52,700+. Edward Stones of Houston is the Global Business Director for Energy & Climate Change for Dow, Inc. The ERCOT region's all-time record peak hour occurred on July 20, 2022, when consumer demand hit 79,828 MW. Magness will soon depart ERCOT following a 60-day termination notice handed to him by ERCOT's board of directors in March. If the agency completes its rule-making as scheduled, Lake said during the hearing, he expects that the plan would be fully implemented by 2026. Houston city council tables vote on Hobby Airport restaurant contract, Georgia star Jalen Carter charged with racing in fatal wreck, Contractor dies after electric shock at Texas City Marathon refinery. In the weeks since the winter storm, both ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the regulatory body that oversees it, have been lambasted for failures in preparing for and responding to the storm. [8], As the ISO for the region, ERCOT dispatches power on an electric grid that connects more than 46,500 miles of transmission lines and more than 610 generation units.[9]. Double your gift when you give by 6 p.m. Thursday. The scene in North Austin on Feb. 16, 2021, following the devastating winter storm. The Public Utility Commission of Texas approved Vegas' selection Tuesday and he will begin his new position Oct. 1. Greg Abbott and many state lawmakers quickly criticized the Electric Reliability Council of Texas because several members of its large . Tuesdays hearing was more of a status update on the power grid, but it was the first public opportunity for lawmakers to question the grid operators interim president, Brad Jones, and the three-member board of the Public Utility Commission, which oversees Jones and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. He oversees Market Operations, Settlement and Retail Operations, Market Design and Development, Credit and Client Relations. 9:50 AM Dec 2, 2021 CST, Brad Jones, interim president and CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, shared new accountability plans and fielded several questions in a town hall coordinated by state Reps Matt Shaheen, R-Plano, and Jared Patterson, R-Frisco, on Dec. 1 at the George A. Purefoy Municipal Center. ", "Texas largely relies on natural gas for power. Support the free press, so we can support Austin. Winter storm blackouts plagued Texas in 2011, too. On Tuesday, Abbott amended his statement in regards to this week's ice storm: "No one can guarantee there won't be a load shed event. Greg Abbott's now-infamous guarantee that last year's Winter Storm Uri catastrophe won't be repeated, Jones said, "We've done everything possible to make sure that the lights do stay on." George Presses of San Antonio is Vice President of Fuel & Energy for H-E-B, where he has worked since 1998. Presses received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Science in Environmental Science from The University of Texas at San Antonio. Texas Public Utility Commission Chair Peter Lake, appointed by Gov. Community See All. [5] ERCOT is the first independent system operator (ISO) in the United States. Set thermostats to 68 degrees while at home, or as low as comfortably tolerable. Home Tag Electric Reliability Council of Texas . The Chronicle welcomes opinion pieces on any topic from the community. Get your TribFest tickets by May 31 and save big! Hydroelectric Conventional: 23,086 MWh; Power-generating companies across the state must comply with weatherization standards or face steep fines, according to the new head of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. Jones hopes that once the state maps out all critical infrastructure in the grid by this September, "it will be much easier to track which facilities have to be weatherized to improve our overall reliability. But the gas companies that fuel them, despite being the biggest contributors to the blackout (and to Abbott's reelection campaign), didn't have to. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (ERCOT) Board of Directors (board) selects ERCOT's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), sets overall goals, and guides our direction. power load 1,100+. Petroleum Liquids: 909 MWh; [34][35], Approximately 4 million customers in Texas were without electricity for various times during the multi-day storm. He's a graduate of Texas State University, where he served as the editor-in-chief of the student-run newspaper, The University Star. That's the difference.". Copyright 2022 by KSAT - All rights reserved. According to ERCOT officials, the cold weather in the area has resulted in a record-breaking demand on the power grid. However, there are a few ways you can reduce your electric usage at home. Find a complete list of them here. [43][44] On March 8, 2021, ERCOT began releasing a weekly market notice that includes entities that have paid previously identified short-pay amounts and provides an updated estimate of the aggregate outstanding short-pay amount. As always, Your Weather Authority team will keep you updated. Jones received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Arlington. 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