Texas
Abbott appointee resigns as chair of power grid regulator
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Peter Lake, chair of the Public Utility Commission — which regulates the state’s power grid — resigned Friday, according to a statement from Gov. Greg Abbott’s office.
Lake was appointed by Abbott in April 2021 following the devastating near-statewide power outages that killed hundreds of people during Winter Storm Uri that February. In that time, he spearheaded a plan to help the state’s grid withstand weather disasters.
But state lawmakers soured on the agency-led proposal, which was approved by the commission in January, at the start of this year’s legislative session. Several lawmakers argued that it didn’t go far enough to ensure new fossil fuel-fired power plants would be built.
Lake had advocated for more of a technology-neutral approach than some lawmakers.
The agency’s plan, which Lake had a heavy hand in crafting, would create a new economic tool called performance credits. The credits would direct funds to companies that operate on-demand power sources, such as natural gas plants and batteries, paid for with an estimated 2% increase in customers’ electricity bills. The idea: A financial incentive would cause companies to build more power plants or keep existing ones in service longer.
But ultimately, state lawmakers crafted and passed legislation with their own idea — which they said would ensure more gas plants are built. The legislation, which awaits the governor’s approval, would create a fund designed to encourage the construction of gas-fueled power plants by providing low-cost loans and paying bonuses for connecting new gas-fueled plants to the state’s primary grid. Another bill, also awaiting approval by Abbott, would change how companies that produce electricity can make money in Texas’ electricity market.
After decades of support for renewable energy, Republican lawmakers have turned against renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. During the 2021 and 2023 legislative sessions, Republican lawmakers pushed legislation to prop up fossil fuel-burning power plants.
Texas produces the most oil and gas of any state in the nation, but renewable energy has threatened the industry’s domination in the electricity sector. Wind turbines and solar panels, which can produce electricity at a very low cost, provided more than a quarter of the state’s electricity last year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Both of the bills passed this year, which were supported by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, would require dramatic changes to the commission’s plan to harden the grid. PUC spokesperson Ellie Breed said it would be “premature” for the agency to comment on how the legislation could affect the plan before it takes effect.
In a statement provided through a PUC spokesperson, Lake expressed confidence in the state’s electric grid — just a month after he’d warned the grid is at risk for outages this summer.
“When I arrived at the PUC in April 2021, our electric grid was in crisis,” Lake said in a statement. “Thanks to the hard work of the teams here and at ERCOT [the Electric Reliability Council of Texas], and my fellow commissioners, today, our grid is more reliable than ever.”
Lake, in the statement, said the agency had “delivered” on its promise to Texans to keep the lights on.
“While there are challenges ahead, I know the PUC is well positioned to continue the incredible progress we’ve made.”
Lake took over the PUC chair position for DeAnn Walker, who resigned in March 2021 in the aftermath of the power crisis, following several calls for her resignation, including from Patrick.
Michael Webber, an energy resources professor at the University of Texas at Austin, said that Lake was an “excellent public servant” whom he found to be smart and open to new ideas.
“After two years of grueling work at the PUC to tackle some thorny grid issues, I’m not surprised he’s ready for his next challenge,” Webber said.
The governor will announce a new PUC chair in the coming days, and Lake will serve as a commissioner for the agency until July 1.
Disclosure: The University of Texas at Austin has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
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Texas
Austin weather: Slight risk for severe storms in Central Texas
AUSTIN, Texas – Rainy, stormy and cooler times are ahead and all the ingredients are coming together for the best chances of rain we have seen in the last two months.
A cold front along with a potent upper low will collide with the warmth and moisture to turn on the spotty light rain during the day and heavy rain and storms tonight.
There is a marginal to slight risk of severe storms and localized flooding.
After the front pushes through, the weather will be wonderful for Election Day with sunny, cooler and drier conditions. Then here comes the next Pacific low to bring back the clouds and rain by the end of the week.
Buckle up, the weather pattern is turning very active all of a sudden.
Most of the rain and storms will happen tonight. The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded us to a SLIGHT risk of severe storms. This means isolated severe storms are possible generating moderate sized hail and damaging winds.
Two rounds of storms are possible:
- First round: 3 – 5pm (isolated coverage)
- Second round: 6pm – 12am (numerous coverage)
Threats will be quarter sized hail, wind gusts of 50 – 60mph and there will be a low tornado risk.
The highest risk for hail will be along I-35 corridor and the highest risk of damaging winds from Austin to La Grange.
Rain totals are expected to be about .5 to 1″ with isolated spots possibly getting 1-2″.
Minor flooding with low-water crossings possible.
Texas
Where can I watch the College Football Playoff rankings for Texas A&M football?
Mike Elko refutes reports that comments directed at Jimbo Fisher
Texas A&M coach Mike Elko’s postgame comments caught fire on social media. But Elko says they weren’t about Jimbo Fisher or any other coach.
Texas A&M football may have lost on Saturday to South Carolina, but they’re still in the running for one of the 12 spots in the College Football Playoff.
The Aggies are one of five teams in the Southeastern Conference with one conference loss. LSU, Alabama, Georgia and Texas also have one loss, opening the teams to some very complex tiebreaking scenarios.
This Tuesday, the CFP selection committee will release its first edition of the weekly rankings and the first projection of the playoff. Texas A&M is currently ranked 10th in the AP Poll and 11th in the US LBM Coaches Poll, but their recent loss should send them a ways down the standings.
Texas A&M running back Le’Veon Moss suffered an injury to his right leg in the first quarter versus South Carolina, pushing Amari Daniels into the starting role. Texas A&M coach Mike Elko says that Marcel Reed is the “starter now” after the game versus South Carolina, but the redshirt freshman committed multiple turnovers against the Gamecocks.
Texas A&M still has to face New Mexico State, Auburn and Texas. Even with the upcoming projections, there are a lot of different ways this could all play out.
Here’s everything you need to know about the CFP rankings reveal:
How to watch College Football Playoff rankings show
The College Football Playoff rankings show will air on ESPN, with the broadcast starting at 6 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Fans can also stream the show on Fubo, which is offering a free trial.
College Football Playoff rankings release date
The first rankings will be announced on Nov. 5 A new rankings will be released every Tuesday through Dec. 5.
What time is CFP rankings?
The broadcast will start at 6 p.m. CT on Tuesday.
Texas A&M football CFP rankings projection
Coming into Week 10, ESPN’s CFP Playoff predictor had Texas A&M with a 47% chance to make the playoff, but it hasn’t updated with the recent loss. Those odds fall to less than 40% after the defeat, per pregame projections.
If the Aggies win out and make the SEC title game, ESPN has them as the third-seed with a first-round bye, facing either sixth-seed Georgia or 11th-seed Tennessee.
Losing the title game would give Texas A&M a 67% chance to make the playoff as the 12th-seed. They would face fifth-seed Notre Dame in the first round. If the Aggies lose to the Longhorns in their final game of the season, their odds drop to 13%.
How many teams in College Football Playoff 2024?
There will be 12 participating teams in the College Football Playoff bracket. The teams will consist of the five conference champions ranked highest by the CFP selection committee, and the next seven highest-ranked teams.
How does College Football Playoff format work?
The four highest-ranked conference champions will be seeded one through four and receive a first-round bye. The fifth conference champion will be seeded where it was ranked or at No. 12 if it is outside the top 12 in the CFP rankings. Non-conference champions ranked in the top four will be seeded beginning at No. 5.
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Texas
Texas sees record early voting numbers as poll workers protect the integrity of the process
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — Millions of Texans will head to the polls on Tuesday, but almost half of all registered voters in the Lone Star state have already cast their ballots.
After a much-criticized election in 2022, Harris County eliminated the election administrator position and returned the authority to the county clerk, Teneshia Hudspeth. She said they are well prepared for Tuesday’s vote.
“It is going to be interesting. It is an important time in our country,” poll worker Garfield Teixeira said.
Teixeria has served on the front lines in more ways than one.
First, she served in the army for 22 years, but now, she’s on the front lines of democracy.
“We’re like Santa’s helpers. We’re like elves,” Teixeira said.
To Teixeira, a polling center is one of Santa’s many workshops.
She’s been helping out in Brazoria County during early voting.
“Friday, we had a lot of first-time voters. We welcomed them, and we tell them we should have a bell. Like, when you buy a car, to ring, to acknowledge them,” Teixeira said.
So far, 8.9 million Texans have voted early, including in-person and mail-in ballots. That’s about 47% of the 18.6 million registered voters.
It is less than the vote percentage in 2020, about 57%, but due to the pandemic, we had an extra week of early voting.
“The turnout has been tremendous,” Teixeira said.
Scrutiny of the election process has grown more intense, increasing the pressure on poll workers to perform flawlessly.
“I always pull up my information and refresh myself because… from one election to another. That is a big span of time,” Shaikil Grisham, who worked as a poll worker before moving to Texas, said.
Election monitors are tools used by the Department of Justice to keep an eye on any violations.
On Friday, top Texas election officials informed the DOJ that election monitors are not allowed in Texas polling places.
The agency had originally announced plans to dispatch machines to eight Texas counties.
The Texas secretary of state will send monitors to Harris County. The County welcomes those monitors as it has in previous elections.
For updates on this story, follow Alex Bozarjian on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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