US Declares Texas Grid Emergency in Arctic Blast
- Small number of power plants cited having difficulties
- Order eases air-pollution limits as power demand hits record
Pylons in Houston, Texas on Dec. 22.
Photographer: Brandon Bell/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
The US Energy Department declared a power emergency in Texas, citing a shortage of electricity as an Arctic winter blast causes power plants to fail.
The order allows the state’s grid operator to exceed certain air pollution limits to boost generation amid record power demand in the state. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, whose service area includes 90% of electric customers in Texas, requested the emergency order Friday, warning it may need to resort to blackouts.