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Texas power grid already feeling strains, will it be able to handle the summer season?

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Texas power grid already feeling strains, will it be able to handle the summer season?


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With Texas energy vegetation going offline – and ERCOT urging us to preserve power – the new climate is already placing a pressure on our state’s energy grid.
So what is going on on right here – and can the grid have the ability to deal with even hotter climate this summer season? Doug Lewin, President of Stoic Vitality, joins FOX 7’s John Krinjak to debate.

John: Effectively, the new climate this previous week has been driving file power demand, and it is already inflicting points with the facility grid. Becoming a member of us to speak about that is Austin-based power professional Doug Lewin, President of Stoic Vitality. Doug, thanks for being with us.

Doug: Thanks for having me.

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John: All proper. So ERCOT is already asking clients to preserve energy after six era amenities, I perceive, have been tripped offline Friday. That is the type of factor that makes plenty of us gun shy, clearly, after what occurred with these outages throughout final 12 months’s winter storm. So what’s your understanding of what occurred right here?

Doug: Yeah, such as you stated, six era vegetation including as much as about three gigawatts. And to place that into context, that is about in Austin the place the facility went out on Friday afternoon. And in order that’s plenty of energy all at one time going out. And that pushed us right into a state of affairs the place we have been very near the sting and ERCOT needed to name for conservation.

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John: You tweeted that you weren’t stunned by this. What issues do you’ve about how ERCOT is dealing with this?

Doug: For a very long time now, John, they have been pushing thermal vegetation very onerous. They have been having plenty of thermal vegetation sitting on the sidelines able to go as a substitute of in upkeep. In regular years, throughout March and April and even into Might, thermal vegetation would have the ability to be offline for an extended time frame. However ERCOT within the PUC usually inform the general public they’re working the grid conservatively. And actually what meaning is that they’re preserving much more reserves accessible, pushing these vegetation a lot tougher than they usually can be. And that is going to trigger them to interrupt after we really want them doubtlessly. And we noticed that, I believe, final Friday. Hopefully, we do not see that extra of that this summer season.

John: Yeah. And to that time, the truth that we’re seeing points with the grid this early within the season, I imply, it is unseasonably sizzling, however definitely not as sizzling as we get. Are you involved about what’s on the best way for this summer season, particularly if we see hotter than regular temperatures?

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Doug: Yeah, completely. Look, a lot is determined by the climate. If we find yourself with 100, 110 levels in a number of massive cities in Texas, we might have severe issues. One, as a result of the thermal energy vegetation aren’t in tip-top form as we have simply seen final week. And likewise as a result of we actually do not have plenty of instruments accessible to us that we should always. These would come with power storage and residential demand response. We want the state to actually ramp these issues up shortly.

John: Yeah. And also you tweeted that ERCOT in Texas you are feeling must be type of this otherwise in relation to demand, and you are feeling there must be extra of a concentrate on power effectivity. What does that shift appear to be so far as what you assume wants to alter long run?

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Doug: So Texas proper now has an power effectivity purpose. We have been the primary state within the nation to ascertain a purpose. Now there’s 30 states with these. Of these 30, we’re lifeless final within the measurement of our purpose, 80% decrease than the typical state. So what we might do to extend that’s our utilities present incentives, for example, for HVAC methods. So if someone’s HVAC breaks this week when it is actually sizzling, they usually go to purchase a brand new one, they may have an incentive to get a really power environment friendly mannequin, add some insulation into their properties, which assist maintain them safer inside and scale back the demand which will increase reliability on the grid. You additionally get an additional benefit that it lowers individuals’s power payments.

John: All proper, Doug Lewin, President of Stoic Vitality. Doug, we all the time admire you becoming a member of us and sharing your expertize. We admire it.

Doug: Anytime. Thanks. 

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Texas A&M vs. USC Prediction, Odds, Picks – December 27, 2024

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Texas A&M vs. USC Prediction, Odds, Picks – December 27, 2024


Data Skrive

The Las Vegas Bowl features a battle between the Texas A&M Aggies (who are 3.5-point favorites) and the USC Trojans on December 27, 2024 at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The over/under is set at 52.

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Facing the Texas Longhorns in their most recent game, the Aggies lost 17-7. Last time out, the Trojans fell to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, with 49-35 being the final score.

Keep up with college football all season on FOX Sports.

Joel Klatt explains how ‘USC is spiraling and in trouble’ | The Herd

FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt joins Colin Cowherd to discuss USC losing 19 players to the transfer portal and why it is troubling.

Texas A&M vs. USC Game Information & Odds

  • When: Friday, December 27, 2024 at 10:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada
  • TV: ESPN
  • Live Box Score on FOX Sports

More College Football Predictions

Texas A&M vs USC Betting Information updated as of December 25, 2024, 2:45 a.m. ET.
Favorite Spread (Odds) Favorite Moneyline Underdog Moneyline Total Over Moneyline Under Moneyline
Texas A&M -3.5 (-111) -180 +149 52 -109 -111

Texas A&M vs. USC Prediction

  • Pick ATS:

    Texas A&M (-3.5)

  • Pick OU: Under (52)
  • Prediction: Texas A&M 28, USC 24

Predictions are made by the Data Skrive betting model.

Learn more about the Texas A&M Aggies vs. the USC Trojans game on FOX Sports!

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Texas A&M vs. USC Betting Insights

  • Per the spread and over/under, the implied score for the tilt is Aggies 28, Trojans 24.
  • The Aggies have a 64.3% chance to claim victory in this meeting per the moneyline’s implied probability. The Trojans hold a 40.2% implied probability.
  • Texas A&M has compiled a 3-9-0 record against the spread this season.
  • USC has put together a 7-5-0 record against the spread this season.

Texas A&M vs. USC: 2024 Stats Comparison

Texas A&M USC
Off. Points per Game (Rank) 30.3 (52) 29.8 (55)
Def. Points per Game (Rank) 21.2 (23) 23.5 (47)
Turnovers Allowed (Rank) 13 (28) 18 (71)
Turnovers Forced (Rank) 17 (61) 16 (69)

Texas A&M 2024 Key Players

Name Position Stats
Marcel Reed QB 1,572 YDS (61.1%) / 12 TD / 4 INT
501 RUSH YDS / 6 RUSH TD / 45.5 RUSH YPG
Le’Veon Moss RB 769 YDS / 10 TD / 85.4 YPG / 6.4 YPC
10 REC / 141 REC YDS / 0 REC TD / 17.6 REC YPG
Amari Daniels RB 661 YDS / 8 TD / 55.1 YPG / 4.8 YPC
Noah Thomas WR 34 REC / 545 YDS / 6 TD / 45.4 YPG
Taurean York LB 57 TKL / 6 TFL / 2.5 SACK / 1 INT
Nic Scourton DL 29 TKL / 11 TFL / 4 SACK
Will Lee III DB 37 TKL / 0 TFL / 2 INT / 2 PD
Dalton Brooks DB 44 TKL / 5 TFL / 1 SACK

USC 2024 Key Players

Name Position Stats
Jo’Quavious Marks RB 1,133 YDS / 9 TD / 94.4 YPG / 5.7 YPC
47 REC / 321 REC YDS / 0 REC TD / 29.2 REC YPG
Miller Moss QB 2,555 YDS (64.4%) / 18 TD / 9 INT
-18 RUSH YDS / 2 RUSH TD / -2 RUSH YPG
Ja’Kobi Lane WR 36 REC / 398 YDS / 9 TD / 36.2 YPG
Jayden Maiava QB 906 YDS (61.2%) / 7 TD / 2 INT
49 RUSH YDS / 4 RUSH TD / 5.4 RUSH YPG
Easton Mascarenas LB 84 TKL / 4 TFL / 3 SACK / 2 INT
Kamari Ramsey DB 44 TKL / 4 TFL / 2 SACK
Mason Cobb LB 61 TKL / 2 TFL / 2 INT / 2 PD
Jaylin Smith DB 49 TKL / 3 TFL / 2 INT / 2 PD

FOX Sports created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Texas battered by quarter-sized hail and heavy winds in Christmas Eve storm

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Texas battered by quarter-sized hail and heavy winds in Christmas Eve storm


What’s New?

Texas is being battered by huge hailstones the size of quarters, powerful winds of up to 65mph and thunderstorms on Christmas Eve.

Why It Matters

The winter storms come as many Americans traveled home just in time for the holidays.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) predicted a record-breaking year for holiday travel, with more than 119 million expected to hit the roads and the skies.

Last weekend was expected to be the busiest travel period, but Texans who left their travel to Christmas Eve may have been faced with hailstorms, flooded roadways and even potential tornadoes.

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The storms are predicted to continue until Christmas Day, meaning Texans are likely in for a wet, not a white Christmas, this year.

What To Know

The National Weather Service (NWS) has placed much of Texas under severe thunderstorm warnings after a winter storm brought heavy rain and strong winds to the state today.

A flash flood warning was issued in the Fort Worth, Texas, area on Tuesday while a tornado warning was also issued for the southeast region of the state as forecasters warned of multiple tornadoes, winds of up to 65mph and hail of up to two inches diameter.

Many Texans have been sharing footage and images of large hailstones that landed in their backyards. So far, there have been no reports of serious damage from the hailstorm.

A ground stop was issued at Bush Intercontinental Airport on Tuesday afternoon amid the severe weather.

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The NWS has also warned that the environment “will support a threat for supercells with isolated large hail. A marginal wind-damage threat may also develop along the more intense parts of the line.”

Supercells refer to rotating thunderstorms that can last for hours, travel hundreds of miles and often produce tornadoes.

What People Are Saying

National Weather Service said in a statement earlier today, “A line of strong to severe thunderstorms, capable of large hail and marginally severe gusts, is expected to develop late this afternoon into this evening across east-central Texas.”

One Cypress, Texas resident, who shared a video of huge hailstones bouncing off the ground in her backyard, wrote on X, “It is bonkers at my home right now in Cypress, TX. Suburb of Houston. Major hail and rain.”

Meredith Seaver, another Cypress, Texas, resident shared a picture of huge hailstones, and asked, “It’s a Christmas miracle?”

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Forecaster Max Velocity said on X, “NASTY LINE OF STORMS will move into SE Texas tonight, including Houston! Damaging winds, hail, and a tornado will be possible. Santa will have to navigate around these storms!”

What Happens Next?

The storm’s heavy rain and strong winds are expected to continue until 5 a.m. CST.

The National Weather Service has placed regions of Texas under severe thunderstorm warnings until 8 p.m. CST, with severe thunderstorm watches issued for parts of Texas until 12 a.m. CST.

Light rain is expected on Christmas Day and through Thursday while another storm system is predicted to move into the region on Friday, bringing continued rain through Saturday.

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I’ve traveled all over Texas. This small town in the Hill Country captivated me the most.

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I’ve traveled all over Texas. This small town in the Hill Country captivated me the most.


I arrived at the San Antonio International Airport and stepped outside to meet my ride. The dry, hot air gave me an instant flashback to my days intermittently working in the West Texas oilfield. I’ve seen quite a bit of the Lone Star State and couldn’t wait to get to Fredericksburg. I’d heard so much about this cute historical German town in the Texas Hill Country.

After an hour’s drive, the shuttle driver and my host said, “We’re on Wine Road 290.” The county has over 75 wineries, vineyards, and wine-tasting rooms. I thought, “What a perfect getaway for Texans and travelers flying into the area.”

A unique stay in a whimsical hideaway

Blue Sage No. 12

I wasn’t surprised to see the rolling hills as we drove toward the property I was staying at outside town. But I was astonished at how green this part of Texas was, especially since I was visiting at the end of the summer. I learned that Fredericksburg is home to the largest working wildflower farm, Wildseed Farms, and seeing the fields of flowers is a popular activity during the spring. People come from all over to admire the bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, and red poppies.

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We pulled up to Blue Sage, where I was staying, and I was instantly excited to check in to my accommodations — No. 12. The dark blue treehouse-inspired cottages looked like they belonged in a fairy tale. As I toured the inside of mine, I was awed by the warm and inviting boho decor. The loft room, with a giant soak tub overlooking the woods, was grounding, and I knew I had found a comfy weekday retreat.

After resting and freshening up from the long travel day, I met with friends to enjoy cocktails at Chase’s Place Cocktails + Kitchen in Fredericksburg’s historic district. We sipped and savored a handcrafted cocktail and a few small bites in their relaxing lounge area before heading to Hill & Vine for dinner. Known for their Southern staples, trying Texas wine and their black-eyed pea hummus was delicious.

Hike at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

Enchanted Rock on a blue sky day / Ashlee hiking the Summit Trail

Enchanted Rock on a blue sky day / Ashlee hiking the Summit Trail

In 2023, over 300,000 people visited Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. It’s a popular place for hiking, camping, and bird-watching – many migratory birds fly through.

The iconic rock feature is one billion years old, and you can hike to the top of the pink granite dome along the Summit Trail. The climb is steep, but the views of Hill Country are worth the trek.

Planning tip: Be sure to make reservations to visit the park. October through May are the busiest times of the year to explore, and parking is limited.

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After hiking, we drove back into town for lunch at Hill Country Herb Garden. Their menu is curated with wellness in mind and rotates seasonally. I had a beautiful kale and quinoa salad with steak, just what my body needed after the morning’s hike. After lunch, we toured the herb gardens, gift shop, and spa — they make custom scents. There are even 14 quaint little cottages on the property you can book for lodging.

Learn about Fredericksburg’s German heritage

Outside of the Vereins Kirche Museum / Lunch at the Hill Country Herb Garden

Outside of the Vereins Kirche Museum / Lunch at the Hill Country Herb Garden

Germans immigrated to the area in the mid-1800s after being enticed by promises of a new life. It wasn’t just Germans; Danish and Swiss settlers also made their way to Fredericksburg. You can learn more about the town’s history at the Vereins Kirche Museum and the Pioneer Museum.

You can do a self-guided tour of a historic homestead at the Pioneer Museum and see inside the buildings, including a traditional Sunday house. A Sunday house is where families that lived out of town and worked on farms and ranches would stay on the weekends so they could attend church.

After an exciting day of hiking and tours, we ended the evening with an Italian-inspired dinner at Alla Campagna. The savory Heritage Chicken Risotto and a Texas white wine were the perfect way to end the day. I couldn’t resist topping the day off with a few bites of homemade chocolate, vanilla, and pistachio gelato.

A morning of local retail therapy

Row of cowboy boots at Allens Boots / Breakfast at the Keidel Pharmacy

Row of cowboy boots at Allens Boots / Breakfast at the Keidel Pharmacy

The following day, we drove into town and had breakfast at Keidel Pharmacy inside the new Albert Hotel (the largest hotel on the main street, opening in January 2025). I was pleased to start the day with a piece of gluten-free cinnamon coffee cake and an almond milk London Fog latte.

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Afterward, I spent a few hours window shopping and checking out all the cute local stores, such as Carol Hicks Bolton, Blackchalk Home + Laundry, Allens Boots, and Flying Cow Tallow.

For lunch, we grabbed a glass of rosé and a quick salad at Standard Public House before heading to the vineyards for wine tasting.

Discover Fredericksburg’s wine scene

Wine tasting at Meierstone Vineyards / Airis’Ele Vineyards

Meierstone Vineyards / Airis’Ele Vineyards

While traveling, there is something glamorous and fun about visiting local wineries, hearing stories from the owners, and tasting wine. Our first stop was Meierstone Vineyards. Krystal Patel’s family has been making 100% Texas wine for seven generations, starting in the 1840s. I loved the white wine flight, and their 2023 Trebbiano was my favorite.

Next, we visited Airis’Ele Vineyards. Their team has over 40 years of experience in the wine business. I found their wine-tasting room welcoming, with big windows for Summer Tanager bird-watching. Their sweet Bienvenue was refreshing, especially on a hot day.

Don’t miss this family-run farmstand

Das Peach Haus Farmstand

Das Peach Haus Farmstand

Last, we headed to Das Peach Haus farmstand, which has been in business for over 50 years. The Fischer & Wieser family business sells local wines made from 100% Texas grapes, fruit jams, jellies, sauces, and other delectable artisanal goods.

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Deanna Fischer, the Chief Experience Officer, shared that the company’s goal is to “Create flavorful experiences that make people happy.”

You can sample many of the farmstand’s specialty foods to select your favorites before purchasing. I appreciated that each jar provides examples of how to pair it with your next happy hour hors d’œuvre or cozy dinner at home. You can also take one of their cooking classes or have a hand-crafted cocktail at Dietz Distillery, which is next door.

It’s nice to see places like this still preserving family, food, and faith in the community.



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