Unreliable Energy Fails to Deliver for Texans, Again
https://texasscorecard.com/state/unrelia...ver-for-texans/
But despite their failure, Texas taxpayers have been forced to subsidize these failing energy generators.
Brandon Waltens | February 1, 2023

As most of Texas continues to experience freezing temperatures this week, the underperformance of unreliable energy sources like wind and solar are once again raising questions about the state’s dependence on them.

While the Electric Reliability Council of Texas—the entity that oversees Texas’ power grid—says there will be “sufficient generation” to meet demand, the bulk of that power is coming from natural gas.

As of 10 a.m. on Wednesday, ERCOT reported that 68 percent of energy generation came from natural gas, with coal and lignite coming in second at 19 percent.

Solar accounted for 1 percent, while wind accounted for 3 percent.



The disparity is similar to that seen in the winter storm of February 2021, which saw millions of Texans without power in freezing temperatures as wind turbines froze and solar panels failed to produce significant electricity.

But despite their failure, Texas taxpayers have been forced to subsidize these failing energy generators.

Texas wind and solar generators obtained $19.4 billion in taxpayer-funded benefits and subsidies between 2006 and 2019 alone. According to Bill Peacock, an energy policy analyst and researcher, 28 percent of renewable generators’ income came from subsidies in 2018.

Much of that has come from the state’s controversial Chapter 313 corporate welfare program, which allows school districts to offer large tax breaks for 10 years to renewable energy and other businesses, including wind farms.

The tax breaks come at no loss to the school districts. Instead, the state supplements the lost revenue to the districts from sales taxes and other state-collected taxes.-- excerpt, rest at link above --

Mr. Ed and I are in the dark since yesterday. Hopefully, power will be restored sometime today. Please feel free to post stuff in our absence. (Or, presence!)

We're still in the dark here, but see some almost-sunshine today. And, the ice is mostly gone, and the power company trucks went by a little bit ago. Fingers crossed.

This one isn't on the power company though. Completely an issue of too much ice.

Just for perspective -


A bison at 35 below zero. Yellowstone National Park, USA. Photo: Tom Murphy
7:23 PM · Feb 3, 2023
·25.7M
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Amazing....@Isailedaway