Texas Electricity Ratings

Could Investigation Stall Texas Solar Farms? U.S. Commerce Department probe into solar panel imports could stall solar farm investment in Texas. Find out how it could increase your electricity rates. Solar panel companies fiercely compete for business all over the world. So there's little surprise that suppliers scramble to get an edge and make the best products at the cheapest rates. But in the past few years, cheap Chinese imports have out-sold those made here at home. The U.S. now charges tariffs on Chinese solar panel imports. As a result, energy companies developed and built new Texas solar farms with imported panels they assumed to be legal. But last month, the US Commerce Department started to look at solar panels brought in from assembly plants in southeast Asia. Their job is to see whether or not if these panels are actually Chinese products. U.S. panel makers argue Chinese makers use the cheap labor in southeast Asian plants to cut their prices. If so, these panels would...

Does the Spring SARA Show Enough Power for Texas? ERCOT's Spring SARA report is a useful tool that helps electricity shoppers gauge reliable supply in the Texas market. Find out why now might be the best time to shop and compare plans. Each season, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) reviews the factors that could affect the Texas power grid . The Seasonal Assessment of Resource Adequacy (SARA) report shows how weather and power plant outages affect the Texas grid when customers use the most power. The most recent Spring SARA report says ERCOT has 94,394 MW to meet a peak energy demand of 64,729 MW. ERCOT also expects new wind, solar, and battery projects to add 1,027 MW. Plus, there's another 367 MW that will come online from new gas-fired and wind-powered facilities. So, according to the SARA, Texas electricity providers should have no problem powering your home this spring.  Increases in Available Power Last year's big freeze showed many problems with th...

Russian Hackers Pose Threat to ERCOT  The Public Utility Commission of Texas is closely monitoring attempts by possible Russian hackers against ERCOT and the Texas power industry. It was more than a pandemic ago when Russian hackers tried to disrupt the 2016 US election. Since then, Russian hackers can’t seem to stay out of the news. Texas local governments faced ransomware attacks in 2019. Now, hackers have their sights on the US energy sector, targeting gas and electric companies. Can Texas power providers withstand Russia’s best attacks? To be sure, energy suppliers aren’t taking the threat lying down.  Are Russian Hackers Poking Around Energy Infrastructure? Since Russia invaded Ukraine last month, Texas energy companies have been on edge coping with a greater risk of cyber attacks. European countries are wrangling with energy options as Russian natural gas and oil becomes unavailable, and worldwide energy prices are on the rise. By increasing US liquif...

Electric Bill Outrage For April Fool's Day, find out how the omniscient Jeeves rescues his cope-less employer from the terrors of a high Houston electric bill. [With apologies to P.G. Wodehouse] The morning after my annual G&T symposium at the Houston Drones Club burst upon my being like a flock of winged weasels beating my skull with pickaxes. Fortunately, my man Jeeves appeared and thus guided my faltering fingers around a beaker of his miracle restorative. Only after the elixir worked its magic did I behold the ghastly object that Jeeves then handed me; our Houston electric bill. “Dash it Jeeves. This electric bill is an outrage.” “It is most distressing sir.”  “We should..uh..do...that thing...confound my head...what is it?” “Shop electricity rates, sir?” “Exactly, Jeeves. Tuppy told me last night of the best bargain for...” But Jeeves ventured a small cough signaling he was about to impart wisdom. Therefore, I in...