Rep. Darby Will Take on ERCOT Over Power Grid Failure

SAN ANGELO, TX – State Representative Drew Darby of San Angelo will take on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas when the legislature reconvenes after the massive, statewide failure of the electric grid during the historic snowstorm of 2021. 

Recent efforts to expand wind and solar sources of electricity has left the state vulnerable to power outages and failures when solar energy and wind energy sources can't produce electricity in snow events.  

Here is Rep. Darby's statement: 

"Many of you have reached out to me voicing your frustration with the ongoing power outages during these extreme weather conditions, and I share your frustrations. The planned, limited “rolling outages" to conserve power turned into hours and even days of power loss for millions of Texans. Customers are displaced and this is unacceptable. I am deeply concerned with the lack of consistent information being relayed to you throughout this extreme weather event.

The power disruptions are due to an overloaded power grid, fuel shortages after generators froze or failed, and inadequate planning during this once in a lifetime weather event. It is overwhelmingly evident that our power grid was unprepared. When the legislature gets back to work, I commit to you that we will have candid discussions with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to see where things went wrong. In the meantime, if you have electricity, please continue to conserve so that we can help restore resources for others. If you do not have power, please contact local services now and make preparations for extended power outages. Please check on your neighbors."