Texas Electricity Ratings

Will You Have a Spooky & Safe Halloween? Learn how to decorate your yard with spooktacular lights that won't haunt your wallet. Our 7 safe energy efficiency tips for Halloween can help trick or treaters enjoy your decorations while you save money. Halloween brings excitement to towns big and small, as homes transform into spooky displays with ghouls, ghosts, and creepy decorations. Whether you’re going for a haunted house or a fun, festive vibe, it’s important to ensure your decorations are both safe and energy-efficient. You don’t have to use too much Texas electricity . So, here are seven ways to enjoy a spooky yet safe Halloween at your home.  Spooky & Safe Halloween Decor With the right planning, you can create a spectacular display that keeps your home and family safe. And it all starts with the right equipment.  Inspect Your Cords and Decorations. Before you set up, check all your cords and decorations for any cracks, frayed wires, or damage. Replace anything that loo

Will the Resiliency Initiative Work? Hey, the power's still on! Learn about the shocking smart tech used by CenterPoint's Resiliency Initiative might keep Houston powered up even during severe weather. In the wake of Hurricane Beryl in July, Houston clearly needed a stronger power grid. After public pressure, CenterPoint Energy has entered the second phase of its Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative . This phase focuses on making the local power grid more resilient and reliable. By strengthening equipment and applying new tools, CenterPoint aims to better protect its Texas power grid from severe weather and other challenges. This more modern utility system could turn into the envy of other coastal cities.  Resiliency Initiative Composite Poles As part of the Resiliency Initiative, CenterPoint is replacing old wooden poles with composite poles . Unlike wooden poles, composite poles can withstand extreme winds and heavy loads. This makes them very valuable during severe and ex

Does ERCOT Report a Steady Winter? While the latest ERCOT resource report shows Texans won't have much to lose sleep over, it does cover where the grid is at risk for problems. Your air conditioner is probably running less these days. Cool overnight temps mean HVAC fans don’t kick on until mid-morning. But as winter nears, Texans may wonder what lies ahead for the electric grid. ERCOT just put out its November 2024 Monthly Outlook for Resource Adequacy report. This report forecasts demand and resource availability as temps begin to drop. So, let's see how the Texas power grid might fare this winter. High Demand Despite Colder Weather The ERCOT report reveals that even as cooler weather settles in , demand for power will remain high. Though winter coats will hang in the closet for another few weeks, early fall is known for its unpredictable temps. There’s always that one cold front each year that doesn’t stick around for the season. So, sudden heating needs can quickly spike

Will Power Hungry Texas Have Enough Juice? As more power hungry industries move to Texas, we look at what electricity customers may face in the near term. In Texas, energy use is rising fast as two big industries — oil and gas production and data centers — fight for electricity. And both make their homes in the Permian Basin which has long been a focal point for Texas energy. As the state’s power grid handles record use, the future of electricity prices seems unclear. Thankfully, some big projects should get funding soon to add dispatchable power to the power hungry Texas grid.  Power Hungry Texas: Oil and Gas Needs More The Texas oil industry is using more electricity than ever. As oil and gas firms move their drilling rigs and other equipment from fuel to electric power, the need for electricity in the Permian Basin is growing quickly. To meet this need, the Texas Energy Fund (TEF) could help build up to four new gas-powered plants in the area. This fund offers grants and low intere

Will the Texas Energy Fund Work? Seriously? The Texas Energy Fund was set up to boost power to the electric grid. But then a company lied on its application to cash in. Now, angry lawmakers are taking a closer look into the PUCT's vetting processes. The Texas Energy Fund (TEF) was supposed to be a safe bet for boosting the state's power grid. But recent events have raised serious doubts about how secure it really is. Some now worry the fund might be as risky as handing over the keys to a 16-year-old for a long, costly joyride. Propping up new Texas power projects must be in good hands. But the TEF is off to a rocky start.  The Texas Energy Fund Comes Under Fire The TEF offers grants and low-interest loans to add dispatchable power to the Texas grid. The logic is that Texas will have more power making capacity in the future. Plus, these power plants can get the juice flowing in a jiffy. But not all projects can receive a loan or grant. Solar, wind, and battery projects don’t qu

Will You Forgive After CenterPoint Says Sorry? CenterPoint says sorry but will their customers forgive the utility? Learn what the utility plans to improve. Could affect your Houston power bills? CenterPoint Energy is in damage control mode after its poor response to Hurricane Beryl. The company’s fleet of mobile generators went mostly unused, leaving 2.3 million Houston customers without power. Clearly, Texas power users are upset and rightly so. In response, CenterPoint says it's sorry and promises to make things right. What Happened During Beryl? Hurricane damage is nothing new to this part of the state. But, in July 2024, Hurricane Beryl caused major damage to Houston’s power grid. The outages lasted days for some customers. Most thought the grid was prepared for Beryl. But it wasn’t. And everyday people suffered.  Despite leasing $800 million worth of mobile generators , CenterPoint failed to deploy them during the storm. This left many without power. Afterwards, people wo