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State legislators propose additional changes to improve Texas power grid

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State legislators propose additional changes to improve Texas power grid


It has been slightly over two years since winter storm Uri spurred widespread energy outages that led to not less than 250 deaths throughout Texas. 

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Now state legislators are introducing payments to attempt to enhance the Texas energy grid on the heels of weatherization associated reforms that had been made again in 2021. 

Doug Lewin, president of Austin based mostly Stoic Power, joins FOX 7 Austin’s John Krinjak to debate the proposed adjustments.

JOHN KRINJAK: So we all know all everyone knows one of many huge issues throughout URI was an absence of clear communication from ERCOT, from the PUC, about what was occurring. I perceive there is a invoice into account now HB 1500 that will truly make adjustments to how these businesses function and talk. What would these adjustments appear like?

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DOUG LEWIN: HB 1500 is the Sundown Invoice and Sundown Fee did a high to backside overview of the company. It is a fairly expansive invoice. It is fairly lengthy. A whole lot of totally different sections. However one of many issues in there’s that the PUC can now not simply give a verbal order to ERCOT to alter issues in order that that pricing at kind of notorious $9,000 throughout ERA that that value clients many, many billions of {dollars}. These need to be written out and never simply verbal anymore, however there’s numerous different adjustments in there, too. It is a fairly complete invoice. 

Energy grid reform payments bundle comes with huge promise

JOHN KRINJAK:  And we should always notice that instantly after the winter storm, there have been another reforms. We noticed a invoice referred to as SB three that created what’s often known as an electrical energy provide chain map. And now I perceive there is a new invoice that specifies who can truly see that map. So what’s the provide chain map and what does this new invoice do, basically?

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DOUG LEWIN: Properly, it places the Texas Division of Transportation into that invoice in order that they will see the electrical energy provide chain map, which I believe is ok. However I’ve raised issues that I believe it is slightly weird. I believe it is greater than slightly I believe it’s extremely weird that there’s not what is often in different sections in statute the place there is a legislative exemption to the confidentiality of the electrical energy provide chain map. I simply suppose it is simply loopy that legislators would not be capable of see that map, as a result of the map what’s on the map is what’s required to be weatherized. So if it isn’t on the map, if it is gasoline provide, it isn’t going to be weatherized. And the one individuals who know what’s on that map are the PUC and the Railroad Fee, actually the coverage makers which might be finally chargeable for ensuring that we haven’t any occasions like Uri ever once more. They can not see the map even when they had been to signal a nondisclosure settlement. Legislators usually are not allowed to see what’s required to be winterized. That simply strikes me as absurd.

Energy grid reforms: Texas officers announce agenda to repair grid ‘as soon as and for all’

JOHN KRINJAK: So you’re feeling this The sphere of individuals that may see this map must be expanded?

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DOUG LEWIN: Properly, not less than to incorporate legislators. I do not perceive how one can make coverage round a dependable grid with out understanding what’s required to be dependable. That is simply it. Simply. Yeah. 

JOHN KRINJAK: So we noticed, , as these payments had been being launched this week, ERCOT additionally met. They, after all, handle the state’s energy grid. They held a gathering Wednesday to debate establishing a brand new reliability normal within the wake of URI. So what does that imply? What’s a reliability normal and what are they speaking about? Altering.

DOUG LEWIN: So reliability requirements was fairly easy as a result of for a very long time within the electrical utility trade, you had actually massive energy vegetation serving load. It was difficult, however it was pretty easy. Issues are much more complicated now for a wide range of causes, one in all which is the intense climate the place we’re experiencing increasingly more frequently. And one other is the proliferation of numerous distributed vitality assets. So the system simply appears to be like lots totally different than it did within the outdated requirements, what they referred to as a one in ten. For those who had one outage in ten years, then you definately met the reliability normal. We had an outage in 2011. We had an outage in 2021. By the outdated normal, we have now a dependable system, however that is not acceptable to anyone. So what they’re beginning to take a look at is as an alternative of a one occasion in ten years, they’re taking a look at a typical that that takes into consideration issues just like the frequency, the period of the outages and the magnitude. How deep are these outages? So it is going to be very totally different. And so they’re going to take a look at excessive climate. They are going to take a look at distributed vitality assets and the way these take part in direction of reliability. And one last item that is actually vital for Austin viewers is it isn’t nearly do you’ve got sufficient provide to satisfy demand, however what is going on on within the distribution system? As a result of as Austinites discovered simply final month, you possibly can have sufficient provide to satisfy demand. But when your distribution system is down for an prolonged time period, the outcomes and the result is similar to the shopper. So they have to take these sorts of issues into consideration as nicely.

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JOHN KRINJAK: A whole lot of items to the puzzle. Doug Lewin, thanks for serving to us break it down and for being right here. We respect it. 

DOUG LEWIN: Anytime. Thanks.



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Austin, TX

The 2025 BLAST.tv Austin Major: Date, Prize Pool, Info

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The 2025 BLAST.tv Austin Major: Date, Prize Pool, Info


The 2025 Counter-Strike season is upon us, and BLAST.tv’s next Major is drawing closer. This year’s Major will occur in Austin, Texas, and BLAST estimates it will be “one of the biggest esports events ever in the US” with an estimated “50,000 fans, plus millions tuning in from over 150+ territories and broadcast in 28 languages.” As we look forward to the upcoming year’s Counter-Strike esports, let’s examine everything we know about the 2025 BLAST.tv Austin Major, its key dates and prize pool.

The 2025 BLAST.tv Austin major will be BLAST’s second hosted Major tournament after the Paris Major in 2023. It will be the first BLAST.tv Major since Counter-Strike 2’s 2023 release, and the first United States Counter-Strike major since 2018. The event will feature 24 of the best Counter-Strike teams worldwide and progress through three stages: Opening, Elimination and Playoffs.

Related Article: All-Women’s CS2! 2025 ESL Impact Tour Schedule, Prize Pool

The 2025 Austin Major will take place in Austin’s Moody Center. BLAST.tv’s CEO Robbie Douek commented excitedly about the event:

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We are incredibly excited to bring the BLAST.tv Major to Austin, Texas. The city’s dynamic atmosphere, the cutting-edge Moody Center and track record of hosting world-leading events provide the perfect setting for what promises to be an unforgettable event. We look forward to showcasing the best of esports to a global audience and making a positive impact on the local community.

– Robbie Douek, CEO of BLAST

The 2025 BLAST.tv Austin major will occur in June 2025, with the summer in full swing. According to the event’s Liquipedia page, it will run from June 9 to June 22, 2025. Here’s a quick summary of each stage’s specific dates:

The 2025 BLAST.tv Austin Major has a sizeable cumulative prize pool of 1,250,000 USD. This prize pool will be split between the top eight teams in the event’s final standings. The winning team will receive a 500,000 USD grand prize, while second, third and fourth-place teams will also receive high rewards. The fifth to eighth-place teams will each score smaller shares of 45,000 USD.

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Related Article: Big Esports Tournaments of 2025





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Austin, TX

Texas' goal-line wall will be tested by Arizona State

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Texas' goal-line wall will be tested by Arizona State


AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas defense seems to have built a big burnt orange wall at the goal line.

Late-game goal-line stands have helped keep the Longhorns moving toward a possible national championship. The latest was Saturday night in Texas’ 34-28 win over Clemson in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

“We’ve got big people, and they know how to play a physical brand of football,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “When we get challenged like that … I think that’s part of our identity.”

So here comes Cam Scattebo, Arizona State’s 5-foot-11, 215-pound All-American wrecking ball of a running back to try to knock it down.

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Texas’ win over Clemson sent the No. 5 seed Longhorns (12-2) to the quarterfinals against the Big 12 champion and No. 4 seed Sun Devils (11-2) in the Peach Bowl on New Year’s Day.

Skattebo put on a show the last time the Sun Devils were on the field. He scored three touchdowns, had 170 yards rushing and 208 all-purpose yards in Arizona State’s 45-19 win over Iowa State in the Big 12 championship game.

Skattebo bounced off tacklers, ran through others and outraced some more. He struck the Heisman Trophy pose a few times, then had a few things to say about it all afterward.

“Nobody respects the fact that I’m the best running back in the country. And I’m going to stand on that,” he said after the game. “I’m going to keep proving people wrong. And whatever NFL team takes me is going to get a gem.”

Skattebo brings some gaudy numbers to Atlanta to back it up.

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The AP All-American’s 19 rushing touchdowns and 22 overall are both tied for school records. He needs 75 yards to break the program’s single-season rushing record of 1,642.

He was twice the AP national player of the week. The first time was for his career-high 262 yards rushing amid his 297 all-purposed yards in Week 2 against Mississippi State. The second was for his game against Iowa State.

Texas players say they are ready for the Sun Devils’ battering ram.

“Yeah, I’m excited,” Longhorns defensive tackle Barryn Sorrell said. “My time being here, I feel like I’ve heard that a lot, that a team is going to come in here and run the ball on us, and I’d like to say there was a different result a lot of those times.

“Just looking forward to that challenge again,” Sorrell said.

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Sorrell was in the middle of fourth-quarter goal line stands that helped save wins against Texas A&M and Clemson.

Texas was clinging to a 17-7 lead in College Station when the Longhorns stuffed four consecutive runs inside their own 5. The win sent Texas to the SEC championship game.

Clemson had a chance Saturday to get within a touchdown in the final 8 minutes. A touchdown could have completely swung momentum their way.

But after reaching the Texas 1, two straight runs failed to reach the goal line. Sorrell was in on the tackle that stopped Clemson’s Keith Adams Jr. just short of a touchdown on fourth down.

“We take pride in not letting guys score or get in our paint,” Texas safety Andrew Mukuba said.

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Texas is not perfect at the goal line, however. Georgia won the SEC championship in overtime when Trevor Etienne bowled into the endzone from the Texas 4.

But they’ve been close enough to it to keep charging deep into the postseason.

“It’ll be an amazing challenge,” Texas All-American cornerback Jahdae Barron said of facing Skattebo. “He’s a hard downhill running back.”



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Klubnik not enough to carry Clemson over Texas in homecoming playoff loss

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Klubnik not enough to carry Clemson over Texas in homecoming playoff loss


AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Cade Klubnik carved up Texas’ defense Saturday night like nobody else this season, just not enough to complete a spectacular homecoming.


What You Need To Know

  • Klubnik, Clemson’s junior quarterback from Austin, passed for 336 yards — the most by a Texas opponent this season — and three touchdowns
  • But the Tigers fell short, losing the College Football Playoff game 38-24
  • Texas safety Michael Taaffe and Klubnik were teammates at Westlake High School when they won the 2020 Texas state high school championship together. The quarterback they beat that day? Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers
  • Another Westlake teammate, Texas defensive end Ethan Burke, sacked Klubnik in the first half Saturday

Klubnik, Clemson’s junior quarterback from Austin, passed for 336 yards — the most by a Texas opponent this season — and three touchdowns. He directed a second-half comeback that gave No. 12 seeded Clemson a chance to overtake No. 5 Texas after falling behind by 18 at halftime.

But the Tigers fell short, losing the College Football Playoff game 38-24.

“I’m hurting a lot,” Klubnik said. “It was fun to come home, but it was not a vacation. It was time to come win a football game, and we didn’t do that.”

Klubnik led the Tigers (10-4) on a four-play, 55-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter, the final 25 on a pass to running back Jarvis Green that left Clemson trailing 31-17.

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He directed a 64-yard touchdown drive early in the fourth quarter. His 7-yard pass to T.J. Moore, on fourth-and-6 left Texas ahead by just a touchdown, 31-24.

“We put ourselves in a position to win,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “That young man (Klubnik) has grown into an amazing leader. You’re never out of a game with him.”

Texas (12-2) made Klubnik’s job a lot tougher when Jaydon Blue raced 77 yards for a touchdown on the Longhorns’ first possession after Moore scored.

Nevertheless, Klubnik led Clemson 74 yards to the Texas 1, connecting with Moore three times, including completions covering 29 and 30 yards.

But Klubnik was stopped by Texas safety Michael Taaffe on third down and Keith Adams was stuffed on fourth by Bill Norton and Barryn Sorrell.

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Clemson’s comeback attempt was over when Klubnik’s pass on fourth down was broken up by Taaffe at the Longhorns’ 25 with 1:16 left.

Taaffe and Klubnik were teammates at Westlake High School when they won the 2020 Texas state high school championship together. The quarterback they beat that day? Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers.

That history and rivalry added some extra spice to Klubnik’s trip home.

Another Westlake teammate, Texas defensive end Ethan Burke, sacked Klubnik in the first half Saturday.

Earlier in the week, Taaffe said Klubnik was his “best friend” on the Westlake team when they won that state championship.

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“We were definitely sharing words back and forth, that was fun,” Taaffe said. “He’s a great guy. He had a great game.”



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