Photo: Video Still, WSJ
AUSTIN, TX — In the 1930s, Texas designed its own electric grid to avoid federal regulations. It’s cut off from the rest of the US power grid, so it can’t borrow power from other states as all other states can. It is run by an entity called ERCOT. Five of its directors don’t even live in Texas!
The oil and gas industry run this state and control the GOP that holds most of the political power, including the Railroad Commission that nowadays has jurisdiction over all the oil and natural gas pipelines. The energy market is unregulated. The Public Utility Commission allows for-profit energy providers to raise rates when demand goes up. Scott Willoughby, a 36-year-old Army veteran living on Social Security told the New York Times, “My savings is gone,” after receiving an electric bill for $16,752. The Wall Street Journal reported that Texas power grid deregulation has cost Texas $28 billion more over two decades than if it had been regulated.
The water infrastructure problems were revealed in a report from 10 years ago in Austin. It exposed the lack of maintenance that causes numerous water main breaks throughout the year, wasting a tremendous amount of water in a state that regularly experiences drought. These problems were never corrected.
Into this situation came an unusual, but not totally unexpected, period of below freezing weather with ice and snow. Natural gas-powered plants ran out of fuel when the gas pipelines froze due to lack of maintenance because the industry didn’t want to spend the money, and they didn’t have to conform to the federal regulations.
This avoidable disaster illuminates what’s wrong with the system. Powerful corporations, seeking maximum profit, control the corrupt politicians who will do their bidding. The needs of ordinary working class people are not considered.
The failings of governance in Texas have been exposed and the eyes of the world are on us. The state is changing. People are less willing to accept the status quo and instead want answers, solutions, and leadership to address longstanding problems. Greg Casar, a city council member: we must hold all those responsible for their failure to keep Texans safe.
We the people must seize this opportunity to organize and go on the offensive against the power structure, including the GOP-dominated state legislature that’s in session now. We must demand they respond to our needs and allocate the funds to do it. It will be a huge battle, but we can’t allow politics as usual to continue.
