ERCOT operates the state's electric grid and manages about 90% of the state's electric load. The nonprofit is governed by a board of directors, and it is subject to oversight by the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Texas Legislature.
As of 1:20 p.m., over 4 million customers were out of power, according to ERCOT, which tracks about 12.5 million customers.
On Feb. 16, Abbott declared the reform of ERCOT an emergency item this legislative session, which means the Legislature must investigate the entity to "ensure Texans never again experience power outages on the scale they have seen over the past several days," according to a news release from Abbott's office.
“The Electric Reliability Council of Texas has been anything but reliable over the past 48 hours,” Abbott said. “Reviewing the preparations and decisions by ERCOT is an emergency item so we can get a full picture of what caused this problem and find long-term solutions."
State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, tweeted just hours after Abbott's announcement that the State Affairs Committee and Energy Resources Committee will hold a hearing with ERCOT on Feb. 25.
3/ If you are w/o power, there is a warming center: https://t.co/QZ1JxIcy3c . Roads are icy, be careful.
For those with power, please take ALL steps to reduce your use.
The State Affairs & Energy Resources Comm. of TX House will hold hearing with ERCOT on February 25th.
— Rep. Vikki Goodwin (@VikkiGoodwinTX) February 16, 2021
