power grid Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

It’s Not Just Texas. The Energy Grid Needs An Upgrade – Including In The Northwest

By NPR News February 28, 2021

Electrical grid transmission towers in Pasadena, Calif. Major power outages from extreme weather have risen dramatically in the past two decades. CREDIT: John Antczak/AP

The Texas blackout is another reminder that more frequent, climate-driven extreme weather puts stress on the country's electricity grid. It came just months after outages in California aimed at preventing wildfires. Compounding this, electricity likely will be even more important in coming years amid a push to electrify cars and homes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Read More

The Power Is Back On In Texas. Now Comes The Recovery, And It Won’t Be Cheap

By Scott Leadingham February 27, 2021

A worker fixes a water pipe in Galveston, Texas, on Feb. 19. The power is back on in much of the state, but the Lone Star State now faces the hefty cost of emerging from its devastating storms. Thomas Shea/AFP via Getty Images

LISTEN BY CAMILA DOMONOSKE For Texas, it’s looking like a daunting power bill. The Lone Star State racked up tens of billions of dollars in electricity expenses, as a free-wheeling market design sent prices skyrocketing. It tallied tens of billions more in damage and economic losses from blackouts. The state could spend years paying down… Read More

Energy Secretary Granholm: Texas Outages Show Need For Changes To U.S. Power Systems

By NPR News February 26, 2021

Jennifer Granholm is sworn in as energy secretary Thursday. Granholm told NPR that pivoting to a clean energy economy could ensure a dependable grid and help create jobs. Andrew Harnik/AP

Newly confirmed Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm seized on the bruising winter weather that left millions of Texans without heat and electricity last week to press for reform of the state's power systems, arguing that pivoting to a clean energy economy can ensure a dependable grid and help create jobs. Read More

Millions Still Without Power As Winter Storm Wallops Texas

By NPR News February 17, 2021

A man walks his dog downtown after a snowstorm this week in Fort Worth, Texas. The winter storm has brought historic cold weather and power outages to more than two dozen states, with a mix of freezing temperatures and precipitation. Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

Heavy snowfall, ice storms and bitter temperatures continue to put an enormous strain on the state's power grid. This as the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which manages roughly 75% of the Texas power grid, announced Wednesday morning that some 600,000 households had power restored overnight. Read More