As a major sub-freezing arctic weather system makes its way down to Texas in the coming days, concerns are rising again about the ability of the state’s power grid, managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), and natural gas delivery systems to handle the load. But with many citizens worried about the ability of ERCOT to avoid blackouts as forecasts predict the entire state to see sub-freezing temperatures for several days next week, CEO Pablo Vegas said generation capacity won’t be a problem.
“The power is not going to go out because we don’t have enough supply to meet demand for this week. We’ve got plenty of power for the demand and for the cold weather that’s coming. So, the grid’s gonna be running stably,” Vegas told Dallas/Fort Worth ABC affiliate WFAA Tuesday.
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While local service interruptions such as downed power lines are always a possibility during major weather events, Vegas’s high level of confidence stems from grid reforms implemented in the wake of 2021’s deadly Winter Storm Uri, and from the large amount of generation capacity that has been added to the grid since that time.
New Gas Storage Arrives Just In Time
Most of that added capacity is intermittent, weather dependent solar power, a small percentage of which is backed up with stationary batteries, which will help keep homes heated during daylight hours. But additional natural gas baseload generation has also come online in recent years, and weatherization and other improvements mandated by the legislature and regulators should serve to prevent the kinds of system freeze-ups that took place during Uri.
For the first time in several years, a major new greenfield natural gas storage facility is also coming online in Texas, just in time to help provide stability and flexibility to the gas distribution system for the coming storm. On Thursday, Trinity Gas Storage announced commencement of operations at its 24 bcf (billion cubic feet) storage unit located near Carthage in East Texas, about 160 miles southeast of Dallas.
Because it is connected into an array of gas transmission lines and local distribution networks, the Trinity facility is able to help manage storage and direct gas flows not just into the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and East Texas, but also to markets and power plants in and around Houston and Austin.
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In an interview on Wednesday, I asked Trinity Gas Storage CEO Jim Goetz about the reasons why gas storage capacity has lagged the rapid growth of gas demand and pipeline capacity in Texas. “I think it boils down to two factors,” he says, “First, there’s the geological kind of requirements that have to be met. It’s not like we can just say, hey, this is a good spot for storage. You need either a depleted reservoir or a salt dome that’s conducive for the task.”
The second factor Goetz mentions is one that has been a common theme for oil and gas-related projects in recent years: A lack of access to capital in a world that for several years became dominated by the ESG philosophy. “That ESG movement drove folks, particularly the capital providers, away from hydrocarbon activity,” Goetz says, adding that things have changed over the past year. The result is that five private equity groups, with Transition Equity Partners, LLC in the lead sponsor role, are backing the project.
Complaints and horror stories about permitting delays have permeated the U.S. energy space in recent years, but such delays are not a part of the story for this specific facility. Trinity was able to get the project fully permitted very quickly, in large part because it was not required to deal with the federal government. Goetz speaks highly of the Texas Railroad Commission, whose employees worked diligently to ensure timely processing of the permits once all requirements and notifications were met.
“We operate under Rule 96 under the Texas Railroad Commission,” Goetz says. “From the time we submitted our application through full approval took around five months. We had full blown disclosures to all the relevant parties. There was no shortcutting of the principled things that must be done to make sure that all the affected parties are noticed and have the ability to weigh in. But you still can get it done in a very timely fashion.”
Plans for Future Gas Storage Expansion
Goetz says Trinity is already working on plans for future expansion. Noting that the underground formation being accessed is capable of holding and managing up to 50 bcf of gas, Goetz says he didn’t feel comfortable trying to raise the capital for a project that size given past market conditions, a factor he now says is “ironic” with the benefit of hindsight.
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But the conditions have obviously changed now, resulting in the happy fact that, “we now have oversupply. We have more interested customers than we do have capacity to serve them. So, we’ve already laid out plans for phase two.”
Since 2010, data compiled by the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows that natural gas demand has risen by 60% and gas pipeline capacity has grown by about 30% during the same period. By comparison, storage capacity grew by just 8%.
Big energy data and analytics firm Enverus Intelligence Research recently projected that the U.S. is about to experience a significant boom in the construction of new natural gas power plants to meet rapidly rising power demand. This means a corresponding expansion of gas storage capacity will also need to take place, not just in Texas, but across the country. The business case for doubling capacity at the Trinity facility seems obvious.
The Bottom Line
The story of American energy growth has always been a story built in large part just in time delivery, and this is a good example. With capital markets now following the industry trend of the last two years of re-prioritizing energy security requirements over virtue signaling about ESG, it appears that market conditions are realigning just in time to help facilitate that expansion. Readers can expect to see more stories like this one about Trinity Gas Storage in the months and years to come.
NORMAN, Okla. — Jordan Pope scored 27 points and freshman Tre Johnson scored 16 points and Texas blunted Oklahoma’s comeback bid beating Oklahoma 77-73 on Wednesday night.
Tramon Mark scored 15 points and Kadin Shedrick 10 for Texas (12-5, 1-3) who won its first-ever game as a member of the Southeastern Conference. Texas never trailed.
Jalon Moore scored a career-high 29 points and Jeremiah Fears scored 20 for Oklahoma (13-4, 0-4) who is still in search of its first SEC win.
The Longhorns led 43-27 at halftime and used a 10-3 run to build its largest lead of the game at 53-30 with 16:15 before the Sooners awakened. Oklahoma outscored Texas 26-7 in a 10-minute span reduced its deficit to 60-56 with 6:12 left. Three minutes later, Moore’s 3-pointer got OU within 71-68. But Johnson closed the door with back-to-back fadeaway jumpers at 1:47 and 1:19 remaining.
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Oklahoma made one more push when Fears hit a 3, and off a Pope turnover, Moore threw down a dunk. In the face of the Sooners press, on the inbounds, Fears threw a near length-of-the court pass that Mark caught up to and threw down for a dunk to end the scoring with 13 seconds left.
With the help of Arthur Kaluma’s three early layups, Texas built a 14-7 lead. Midway through the first half, Pope made a 3-pointer to provide Texas with its first double-digit lead of the game at 22-12.
Texas travels to face fifth-ranked Florida on Saturday. Texas hosts South Carolina on Saturday.
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Watch: Boopie Miller buries game-winning 3-pointer, lifts SMU to road win over Virginia
Utah leads TCU wire-to-wire, Horned Frogs fall under .500 in Big 12 play
Find more college sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
Find more Texas coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
Find more Oklahoma coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
Rep. Dustin Burrows takes the oath of office after being elected Texas House speaker on Jan. 14, 2025.
AUSTIN, Texas – Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) won the Texas House speaker’s gavel Tuesday during the opening session.
The win left some GOP leaders fuming over his win. They wanted Rep. David Cook (R-Mansfield) to win the gavel.
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What’s next:
Burrows’ win came from support from the Democratic side of the aisle, where 49 Democrats voted alongside 36 Republicans.
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The next fight will be if Democrats can keep their committee chair positions.
The House has a unique situation where a few Democrats lead committees despite being in the minority.
Members will debate House rules next week.
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There is some pressure on Burrows to stop the tradition of giving Democrats power, but some Republicans think Burrows will still give some committee chairs to Democrats.
What they’re saying:
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Some Republicans think the end of Democratic chairs is coming.
“I think that for the first time in the history of Texas, the Senate and House will neither have Democratic chairs this session,” Rep. Jared Patterson (R-Frisco) said.
Others think the Democrats will still have a voice.
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“I think that time is coming to an end, but the minority party still has to have a voice and how that voice reflects and represents we will see this session,” Rep. Mano DeAyala (R-Houston) said.
North Texas Democrats think Borrows will still let them have a voice.
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“I think [Burrows] is open and willing to let every member have an opportunity to get things done for their districts,” Rep. Toni Rose (D-Dallas) said.
Some believe they will keep some chairs.
“That’s a real possibility, I feel strongly about it,” Rep. Rhetta Bowers (D-Garland) said. “Just receiving an appointment myself today, I look forward to what the days will bring.”
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The other side:
The floor debate on the rules is Wednesday.
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Over in the Senate, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says he’s willing to work with the House, but he will only pass what he considers conservative legislation.
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On a cold Saturday morning in January 2022, Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, was a quiet sanctuary in a small community. As Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker prepared to lead a livestreamed service, a man, later identified as Malik Faisal Akram, arrived at the synagogue. His presence would change the course of the day forever.
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A new documentary, “Colleyville,” directed by award-winning filmmaker Dani Menkin, reveals never-before-seen footage from the synagogue’s 13 security cameras, documenting the harrowing 11-hour hostage crisis in real-time. The film offers a chilling yet profoundly human look at the bravery of the hostages and the resilience of a community under threat.
The day began with an act of kindness. Security footage shows Akram ringing the doorbell and being welcomed inside by Cytron-Walker, who offered him tea and a place to warm up. “I was just trying to do what we do on any other day: offer kindness and welcome,” the rabbi said.
TEXAS OFFICIALS REACT TO NEWS OF HOSTAGE SITUATION IN COLLEYVILLE SYNAGOGUE
Security footage shows Rabbi Cytron-Walker with Malik Faisal Akram holding his gun on him.(Courtesy: Hey Jude productions)
But at 10:40 a.m., the atmosphere shifted dramatically. Akram pulled out a gun and turned the four people present into hostages. “I’ve got semi-automatic guns. I’ve got two bombs, 80% of Jewish people are going to die if you don’t comply,” he shouted.
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The security footage, revealed for the first time in “Colleyville,” captures every tense moment. Akram’s demands centered on the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, known as “Lady al-Qaeda,” held in a nearby Fort Worth prison. He believed his actions could force global intervention, fueled by antisemitic conspiracy theories about Jewish control of the world.
FBI: TEXAS SYNAGOGUE HOSTAGE INCIDENT BOTH A ‘HATE CRIME’ AND ‘ACT OF TERRORISM’ TARGETING JEWISH COMMUNITY
“His distorted perception was that either President Trump or President Biden would intervene, as he held onto the antisemitic belief that Jews control the world and could influence such a decision,” Menkin told Fox News Digital.
An armed Malik Faisal Akram watching one of his hostages, Rabbi Cytron-Walker.(Courtesy: Hey Jude productions)
The film highlights Akram’s increasingly erratic behavior and chilling rhetoric, including his declaration: “I love death more than you Jews love life.” Cytron-Walker said upon reflection that Akram “believed all the lies told about Jewish people – the Jews control the banks, the media, the world. It was a dangerous combination of extremism and antisemitism.”
HOUSTON RABBI ON ‘FRIGHTENING’ COLLEYVILLE SYNAGOGUE HOSTAGE SITUATION: ‘WE’RE GOING TO INCREASE OUR SECURITY
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Akram eventually allowed congregant Larry Schwartz to leave.(Courtesy: Hey Jude productions)
Despite the fear, the hostages worked together to find moments of solidarity and opportunities to act. At one point, Akram allowed elderly congregant Larry Schwartz to use the restroom, warning him not to attempt an escape. Shane Woodward, who was in the process of converting to Judaism, pretended to feel ill and convinced Akram to let him leave. Before exiting, Shane negotiated to switch places with Larry, ensuring the older man’s safety.
As the hours wore on, the tension escalated. Akram fired a shot into the ceiling, an alarming act captured on camera. Cytron-Walker, drawing on his training in active shooter scenarios, waited for the right moment. That moment came when Akram held a cup of liquid in his dominant hand, temporarily preventing him from pulling the trigger.
“I saw how he held the cup, and I knew it was our best chance,” Cytron-Walker told Fox News Digital. In a decisive move, he threw a chair at Akram, creating a window for escape. “We weren’t far from the exit. It was a split-second decision, but it was the culmination of hours of watching, waiting, and thinking.”
The hostages bolted out of the synagogue, with Cytron-Walker leading the charge. Moments later, law enforcement stormed the building, ending the standoff. None of the hostages were physically harmed, though the psychological toll of the ordeal lingered. “It was a horrible day, but we had so much to be grateful for,” he said.
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A law enforcement vehicle sits in front of Congregation Beth Israel on Jan. 16, 2022, in Colleyville, Texas.(Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
“Colleyville” combines the raw intensity of the security footage with poignant storytelling, offering viewers an unflinching look at the rise of antisemitism and the enduring strength of those who face it. “The footage itself was something that hadn’t been seen before,” Menkin said. “It’s incredibly rare to see a drama like this unfold in such a cinematic way. The raw emotions, the tension – it’s a terrifying reminder of the danger of hateful ideologies.”
Cytron-Walker, who had long been an advocate for interfaith engagement, emphasized the importance of balancing Jewish values with security. “Love the stranger is a lot harder than love your neighbor,” he said. “But we have to protect ourselves too.” Since the crisis, his synagogue has significantly increased its security budget.
Released at a time of rising antisemitism worldwide, Cyrton-Walker said, “We’re seeing more of this kind of hatred,” adding, “It’s even more important now to love the stranger while ensuring proper security.”