Texas’ grudge match with the Environmental Protection Agency is getting nastier and riskier, with the fallout threatening to reach the state’s power grid.
Want another reason to worry about the lights staying on? Or how about another hit to the economy?
You’ve heard lots of political posturing about Texas’ way of life being threatened by an overreaching federal government. This time, Gov. Rick Perry has a point.
Last month, the EPA included Texas in a new rule on cross-state pollution, catching many by surprise. Coal plants must reduce some emissions by half by Jan. 1, a deadline that has some operators saying they’ll cut production or shutter facilities.
That means the state may not have enough electricity to meet spiking demand. The risk became painfully obvious last week after the heat wave set records for electricity usage and emergency measures were taken to prevent outages.
Continue reading at Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Is a policy analyst consultant for TCAP, a coalition of political subdivisions in Texas that purchase electricity in the deregulated market for their own governmental use. Because energy costs are typically a significant budget item to our members, TCAP is consistently looking for ways to save our members money, through cost-saving contracts, energy efficiency or demand response programs.