{"id":14769,"date":"2012-07-10T15:32:21","date_gmt":"2012-07-10T20:32:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/texas\/?p=14769"},"modified":"2012-07-10T16:26:49","modified_gmt":"2012-07-10T21:26:49","slug":"ercot-so-about-that-chance-of-rolling-blackouts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/texas\/2012\/07\/10\/ercot-so-about-that-chance-of-rolling-blackouts\/","title":{"rendered":"ERCOT: So, About that Chance of Rolling Blackouts…"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Photo by Jeff J Mitchell\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

On a certain level, you have to feel a bit of sympathy for the Texas grid, managed by the Electric Reliablity Council of Texas (ERCOT<\/a>).<\/p>\n

It’s a well-known fact that there isn’t enough power in the state to meet the grid’s guidelines. The group behind the grid would like to have a “reserve margin” (how much of a cushion of generation capacity there is during times of peak demand) of 13.75 percent. But this summer it’s projected to get down to twelve percent, and drop even further in the coming years. So they’re being cautious, telling people that things are going to be tight<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But at the same time, you don’t want to scare everyone. And you don’t want to look weak.<\/p>\n

This quote pretty much sums it all up:<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, we want to get the message out of reduced usage during peak demand. At the same time, we want to get the message out that \u2018Texas is open for business\u2019,\u201d Donna Nelson, the chair of the Public Utility Commission, said at a meeting last month<\/a>. \u201cWe want to get the message out, peak demand, turn your thermostat up a couple degrees, don\u2019t do your laundry, those kinds of things. But we don\u2019t want to say, \u2018if you don\u2019t we\u2019ll have rolling outages\u2019, OK? So, it\u2019s a fine line to\u00a0walk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fine line is an understatement.<\/p>\n

Related<\/h4>
Posts<\/h5>