“The Texas Public Utility Commission’s independent power market monitor didn’t see any evidence of electric market manipulation in data from rolling blackouts this month, but will continue to investigate, the PUC chairman told a state Senate committee hearing Tuesday.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas ordered the rolling, temporary power shutoffs the morning of Feb. 2 as temperatures plunged below freezing statewide and caused shutdowns at 82 power plants.

Senators in the joint meeting of two committees seemed incredulous that power generators weren’t prepared for the cold weather.”