Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have expressed growing concerns about the future stability of Texas’ power grid. In a joint statement released today, they cited recent warnings from ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas, who projected a potential need for 150,000 megawatts of power by 2030.
Currently, Texas generates about 85,000 megawatts from sources including wind, solar, coal, nuclear, and natural gas. The projected shortfall has prompted Abbott and Patrick to call for an immediate review of all grid-related policies.
Last November, Texas voters approved Senate Joint Resolution 93, establishing the Texas Energy Fund—a $5 billion low-interest loan program aimed at encouraging more dispatchable natural gas plants. The overwhelming demand for these loans, totaling $39 billion in notices of intent, has led Abbott and Patrick to propose expanding the fund to $10 billion to accelerate new plant construction.
With concerns over grid reliability heightened after the winter storm of February 2021, which caused widespread outages, the Republican Party of Texas has prioritized grid protection for the upcoming legislative session. Recent polling indicates widespread public concern about potential grid failures this summer amidst extreme heat.
Abbott and Patrick emphasized the need for swift action, noting Texas' streamlined approval processes for new plant and transmission line construction.
