After reading the whole article, I see that Texas made a major mistake in NOT setting up an interstate electrical power transmission system network that could be kept on an “as needed” operational basis.
By not officially connecting to any other state’s electrical grid, Texas could remain “independent” of their system until a need would arise for them to connect to it.
It is the same as having idle but usable railroad track systems available in case of an emergency (spur lines, short-track lines, etc that can connect to the long-line if needed, or which could even bypass some long-lines).
In theory, FEMA should have asked states like Texas to create such an emergency connection/transmission system long ago, just to be safe in an area of states hard-hit by hurricanes and tornados, not to mention some powerful blizzards.
Better safe than sorry.
Or Texas didn’t make a mistake.
Just saying. I’m for keeping Texas more independent, but that’s just my view.
I don’t really think it’s a mistake for Texas to keep its power grid separate from the rest of the nation; it’s a feature not a bug.
It gives Texas the ability to ramp up its electricity at a time when most states are taking coal fired systems off line, creating more demand on their systems.
To be sure, Texas is being pressured by the EPA to do the same with coal fired plants. Just the same, Sandy Creek near Waco is a 958MW coal station that came online in 2013, as an example.
Texas has repelled excessive regulation that way. The EPA has targetted them now though.
In theory, FEMA should have asked states like Texas to create such an emergency
Gimme a break. Long lines are the worst thing to do for emergencies, look at the 2012 Derecho, the worst impact was on long line.