Back

Director's Picks

Texas heat brings the state’s power grid closest it has been to outages since 2021 winter storm

Summary

On September 7, 2023, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), responsible for the state's power grid, issued an urgent request for residents to reduce their electricity consumption due to a prolonged and scorching summer heat wave. This request came after the power grid was pushed to the brink of outages, marking the first such instance since the devastating winter blackout in 2021. The high demand for electricity during the heat, coupled with insufficient power generation from wind and solar sources, led to low energy reserves. Although the emergency status lasted for about an hour and was eventually lifted, ERCOT requested further conservation measures from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. CDT due to expected low reserves. The situation raised concerns about Texas' power grid reliability, with calls for more power generation and storage capacity, particularly through natural gas. Texas remains disconnected from the broader U.S. power grid, limiting options for importing power during shortages or failures.

discover more

January 28, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

Jackson, Mississippi, a city with a predominantly Black population, has become a symbol of environmental injustice due to its failing water infrastructure. Years of government

January 28, 2025
Climate Change
Climate Change

This explainer distinguishes between environmental justice, climate justice, and energy justice, highlighting their interconnectedness in addressing systemic inequities.

January 27, 2025
Energy Justice
Energy Justice

The World Bank, African Development Bank, and other lenders have pledged $35 billion to expand electricity access in Africa, focusing on solar minigrids and grid extensions.

January 24, 2025
Energy Justice
Energy Justice

A new study reveals that California provided 100% of its electricity demand with renewable energy for up to 10 hours on 98 of 116 days last year, demonstrating the reliability of

February 24, 2025
Energy Justice
Energy Justice

Kinder Morgan announced plans for the $1.7 billion Trident Intrastate Pipeline, a 216-mile project connecting Katy to Port Arthur. Once operational in early 2027, the pipeline

January 24, 2025
Climate Change
Climate Change

Environmental activists Patrick Donnelly and Naomi Fraga are opposing a proposed lithium-mining project near Nevada’s Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, fearing it will harm

January 23, 2025
Energy Justice
Energy Justice

Despite federal policy shifts under the Trump administration favoring fossil fuels, community solar remains a growing success in the U.S. The model allows ratepayers to access sol

January 22, 2025
Economic Justice
Economic Justice

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo clarifying that President Trump’s executive order to pause Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

January 21, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

President Trump issued an executive order halting disbursements from two major Biden-era laws: the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act

January 21, 2025

President Trump signed executive orders prioritizing fossil fuels while rolling back renewable energy efforts. These orders aim to expand oil and gas production, halt funding for

January 20, 2025
Energy Justice
Energy Justice

On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed executive orders reversing key climate policies from the Biden administration. He declared a “national energy emergency,”

January 18, 2025
Climate Change
Climate Change

A report by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) warns that the global economy could lose 50% of its GDP between 2070 and 2090 due to climate shocks like fires, flooding,

January 17, 2025
Climate Change
Climate Change

Los Angeles wildfires have ravaged 40,000 acres and destroyed 12,000 structures since January 7, exposing residents to uniquely hazardous smoke. Unlike typical wildfires, these

January 17, 2025
Energy Justice
Energy Justice

California's electric truck depots are increasingly adopting microgrids powered by solar, batteries, and gas generators to address utility grid delays. Prologis’ Denker Avenue

January 17, 2025

A study in *Environmental Science & Technology* shows prioritizing the closure of coal-fired power plants in environmental justice communities could prevent up to 136 premature