{"id":20856,"date":"2021-02-25T16:07:36","date_gmt":"2021-02-25T21:07:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/?p=20856"},"modified":"2021-02-25T16:53:38","modified_gmt":"2021-02-25T21:53:38","slug":"a-clear-path-to-protecting-texas-from-the-next-weather-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/2021\/02\/25\/a-clear-path-to-protecting-texas-from-the-next-weather-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"A clear path to protecting Texas from the next weather crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>By Colin Leyden<\/a> and John Hall<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The aftermath of the storm we just endured will linger a lot longer than the average Texas winter.<\/p>\n

At least 80 people died<\/a>. Millions of families lost power and water service as broad swaths of our critical infrastructure froze up. Families, businesses and cities are still tallying the damage, but this crisis could surpass Hurricane Harvey\u2019s $125 billion<\/a> price tag and become the most expensive natural disaster in Texas history. Our most vulnerable communities were hit hardest by outages, and, in a cruel twist, some Texans (many of whom lost service during the crisis) are facing exorbitant electric bills because of disaster-induced market volatility<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This week, Texas began to pick up the pieces, identify what went wrong, and develop a plan to protect our citizens from extreme weather crises in the future.<\/p>\n

Texans are mad, and we deserve to be. Preparation could have avoided this disaster. Texas leaders knew what to do<\/a>, and they didn’t do it.<\/p>\n

Texans deserve a comprehensive analysis of what happened, why it happened, and what state leaders and energy industry participants will do to ensure it never happens again.<\/p>\n

Long-term, equitable ways to improve the grid
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

As leaders embark on a fact-finding mission, starting with state legislative hearings this week, EDF has made available a set of key recommendations to guide a levelheaded assessment of the situation and help establish short- and long-term priorities.<\/p>\n

Download EDF\u2019s full Texas winter storm response recommendations <\/strong>here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

EDF has worked in Texas for more than 30 years, and we are committed to playing a constructive role as leaders begin this process. Our recommendations, shared with the Texas Legislature, include a range of issues already being discussed, including weatherization, weather crisis planning and ERCOT governance, as well other important issues that will strengthen the grid, reduce emissions and protect Texans from future weather crises.<\/p>\n

The recommendations include:<\/p>\n