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Renewable Friday: Reality Hits Texas Power Grid [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-02-21
WHY HAVEN’T WE HEARD ABOUT THIS? Texas has long kept its electricity markets unconnected to any other US grid, in order to avoid Federal regulation. But now the prospect of oodles of $$Real MoneyTM$$ on the Texas scale for both industry and consumers has started to break through. TX exports power to Mexico, and has been invited to power much of the US south for many years.
Texas lawmakers want to connect ERCOT power grid with rest of the country
U.S. Representative Greg Casas of Austin and San Antonio is leading the way in this effort, co-sponsoring the “Connect the Grid Act”.
OK, this is still Texas, and there is still vast denial in TX politics and the Oil Patch, but to have the Overton Window slide this far in our direction there is big, big, big. What we need now is to get the public to push the TX Lege forward on this as on so much else. And make Texas a voting state. (BTW, I hugely miss Molly Ivins, and I grin just thinking of her digging into this story.)
ERCOT CEO addresses idea of connecting Texas power grid to rest of US
Interconnection and BESS development in ERCOT - Transmission (Ramsey Ayass - SMT Energy)
ERCOT Power Grid Set To Connect To U.S. Grid: What The $360M Project Means For Texas And The Southeast
Increased Resilience: The connection will reduce rolling blackouts and improve energy sharing during extreme weather events and high-demand periods.
Cost and Energy Savings: Thanks to increased grid flexibility and resource sharing, Texans and Southeastern residents may see more stable electricity rates.
Boost for Renewables: The project supports renewable energy integration, allowing Texas to share excess wind and solar power with neighboring states. In a giant step for energy security, the infamously independent Texas grid (ERCOT) is preparing to connect to the U.S. grid. The Biden-Harris administration has committed a $360 million federal grant for this vast project as part of their Investing in America' program. This new expansion will establish a critical link between Texas's energy grid and the Southeastern United States. The goal is to increase reliability, reduce power outages, and stabilize energy costs.
BlueSky Climate Feeds and Tags
Coping
x Excited to announce I've joined Good Grief Network's facilitation training team! In a few months, I look forward to leading my own 10-step groups based off my all-time favorite book on #ecoanxiety @goodgriefnetwork.bsky.social #climatecrisis #climatechange #climateaction #sustainability
[image or embed] — Dr. Devin Guthrie (@drdevinguthrie.bsky.social) February 18, 2025 at 12:17 AM
x 🌍 Climate grief isn’t just about ecology—it’s also about the chaotic political landscape we’re facing worldwide. Everything is interconnected. If you’re feeling weighed down by it all, join us for Climate Grief 101—a welcoming space to share what’s on your heart & mind. go.climategrief.support/101
[image or embed] — Ruth Hartmann (she/her) (@hartmannruth.bsky.social) February 18, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Renewables
x Investing in renewable energy and adaptation isn’t just an environmental imperative—it's a strategic necessity for global economic stability. Let’s push for a sustainable future.
#ClimateAction #GreenInvestments #ClimateChange #ClimateFinance
[image or embed] — Stratheia (@stratheia.bsky.social) February 18, 2025 at 12:00 AM
x If you actually read the synopsis intead of just the headline, the article is now true. #ClimateChange is already costing the world massively in #Insurance, #FoodInflation, #Infrastructure damage, #Housing loss and #Health consequences. www.weforum.org/stories/2023...
[image or embed] — alangnixon.bsky.social (@alangnixon.bsky.social) February 17, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Solar Energy
x A new analysis shows that a clear majority of people submitting comments on a planned central Ohio solar farm support the project — a stark contrast with how opponents have portrayed public sentiment.
https://buff.ly/3D0E3NP #renewableenergy #solarenergy #agrivoltaics
[image or embed] — Seneca Environmental (@senecaenviron.bsky.social) February 20, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Wind Energy
x RE: TX GRID... 1999 Gov W Bush deregulated electricity mkt for Wind Power & get 2000 mw Electricity from Renewable Energy by 2009. NOW: ERCOT TO CONNECT AGAIN US GRID. Begin 2025 link to Southeastern US Grid with est completion by 2030. The TX Grid (ERCOT) to connect due to Biden-Harris Fed Grant.
[image or embed] — Judy Fulbright (@judyfulbright.bsky.social) February 20, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Geothermal Energy
x The Cascade Institute, Clean Air Task Force, and Cornell University have launched a new report, Prospecting for Superhot Geothermal Energy. Superhot rock energy offers high power density and potential to provide large-scale, always-on electricity production. cascadeinstitute.org/technical-pa...
[image or embed] — Cascade Institute (@cascadeinstitute.bsky.social) February 20, 2025 at 12:07 PM
x Earlier today Colorado Governor Jared Polis joined the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center for a fireside chat on the future of geothermal energy. More here:
https://buff.ly/3D962uI
[image or embed] — natlgovsassoc.bsky.social (@natlgovsassoc.bsky.social) February 20, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Electric Vehicles
Renault Made A Breakthrough In EV Fire Safety. Now Others Can Use It For Free
The French automaker’s fix to put out fires saves time and water, and it's now available to all automakers.
x Toyota says it's locked in to drive up electrified vehicle sales this year, and potentially even past that target once its new battery plant starts cranking out cells. insideevs.com/news/751203/...
[image or embed] — InsideEVs (@insideevs.com) February 20, 2025 at 10:28 AM
x Mercedes aims for 19 new combustion engine models and 17 battery-electric cars out by the end of 2027. The luxury automaker must also cut costs amid a tough economy, a rising China and tariff uncertainty in the U.S. insideevs.com/news/751288/...
[image or embed] — InsideEVs (@insideevs.com) February 20, 2025 at 8:39 AM
x City of Sydney trialling on-street parking bays for share e-bikes. Good to see a council finally adopting the obvious solution to footpath clutter. 👍 www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02...
[image or embed] — Stephen B (@bicycleadagio.bsky.social) February 20, 2025 at 4:22 AM
x ⚡️ An Electric Donation for Valencia ⚡️ Formula E announced a donation of 20 electric scooters and 20 electric bicycles to Valencia residents who lost their vehicles in the recent floods. #FormulaE #Motorsport — Jess (@theracingbrain.bsky.social) February 20, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Heat Pumps
x Several utilities currently overcharge heat pump users relative to their cost to the electric grid, limiting peoples’ full potential energy bill savings.
[image or embed] — MussDaddy (@blueskydogforever.bsky.social) February 20, 2025 at 4:21 PM
x Los Angeles County now experiences 3X more extreme heat days vs the 1960s. New South Coast AQMD standards could help protect residents by making efficient heat pumps more accessible. These systems provide superior cooling while lowering energy bills. www.sierraclub.org/angeles/blog...
[image or embed] — Los Angeles Climate Reality Project (@laclimateleader.bsky.social) February 20, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Microgrids
x Guidiville Indian Rancheria will partner with Colusa Indian Energy to install a solar/hydrogen microgrid at its tribal headquarters in northern California . bit.ly/4k5Y5Hr #microgrids #microgrid #energysovereignty #hydrogen #energystorage #California #NorthernCalifornia #tribal
[image or embed] — Keith (@keithman63.bsky.social) February 20, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Renewable Energy Jobs
x According to IPSOS (2024), for almost a quarter of people globally, unemployment is still a top concern. Can renewable energy save the day? Is the energy transition the answer to unemployment and the climate crisis? Read more 👉 www.greenpeace.org/internationa...
[image or embed] — Greenpeace International 🌍 (@greenpeace.org) February 18, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Agrivoltaics
x Solar & pigs & sheep, oh my! Join us on March 20 at 12 p.m. MT to learn about how agrivoltaics makes solar farms and food security are complimentary. This session will include an overview as well as stories about agrivoltaics in the Alberta context.
https://buff.ly/4hRhqKr
[image or embed] — Solar Alberta (@solaralberta.ca) February 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Green Industry
x 🏗️ We need to create #leadmarkets for low-carbon #cement and concrete. The #CleanIndustrialDeal should:
✔️Boost demand via green public procurement (€2T/year!)
✔️Harmonise EU regulations for climate-friendly materials
✔️Ensure material-neutral incentives
Explore here:
cembureau.eu/media/mizh4l...
[image or embed] — CEMBUREAU (@cembureau.bsky.social) February 19, 2025 at 5:08 AM
Steel
Cement
x Limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) is a low-carbon cement blend that can help decarbonize the cement industry while also unlocking significant economic benefits for the sector. Learn more here: rmi.org/insight/the-...
[image or embed] — RMI - Rocky Mountain Institute (@rockymtninst.bsky.social) January 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Ammonia
x CF Industries published Q4 earnings last night with updates on its three blue & one green #ammonia production projects. Chief among these is a $4bn ATR blue #hydrogen project expected to reach final investment decision this quarter. (1/5) $CF $XOM #Mitsui #Topsoe #EnergySky $NCH2 #EnergyTransition
[image or embed] — thehydrogenbull.bsky.social (@thehydrogenbull.bsky.social) February 20, 2025 at 10:18 AM
x This morning, in #Padua @unipd.bsky.social, John Warner (@monashuniversity.bsky.social) shared some wisdom on #greenchemistry as the Foundation of #sustainability and the #circulareconomy - and with it, a memorable reminder that nature’s best innovations don’t come from endless meetings.
[image or embed] — CDT in Sustainable Chemical Technologies : A Systems Approach (@csct.bsky.social) February 20, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Energy Storage
x ☀️ We’re gearing up for #Intersolar2025 in less than a week! ✅ See our latest innovations in testing & measurement tools for solar professionals
✅ Enter our raffle for an exciting giveaway! 🎉 Booth #1215
Feb 25-27 The future of energy is here. See you in San Diego! #SolarEnergy #EnergyStorage
[image or embed] — flukecorp.bsky.social (@flukecorp.bsky.social) February 20, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Nuclear Power
#NoNewNukes
x 📰Effort to re-start shuttered Three Mile Island reactor is proceeding 'on schedule'🇺🇸⚛️⚡📆✅ A filing with US #Nuclear Regulatory Commission says Constellation Energy targets a historic re-opening of Three Mile Island Nuclear power plant by the end of Q2 in 2027 🤠🐂 #Uranium www.wgal.com/article/daup...
[image or embed] — John Quakes (@quakes99.bsky.social) February 20, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Countries and Regions
x 🇨🇳 NEW | Analysis: Clean energy contributed a record 10% of China’s GDP in 2024
Solar, EVs, and batteries drove a quarter of the country’s GDP growth in 2024 and have overtaken real-estate sales in value
bit.ly/4kg1R18 w/ @laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social @carbonbrief.org
[image or embed] — Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (@creacleanair.bsky.social) February 18, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Denial and Obstruction
x GOP MYTH: Offshore wind power hurts whales. 🐋 Fact: Today, House Republicans voted to end offshore wind power (+ FREE MARKET ENERGY) in NH and abolish the clean energy jobs that come with it. 💨 Hear from @wendyenthomas.bsky.social ⬇️ #NHPolitics
[image or embed] — NH House Democratic Caucus (@nhhousedems.bsky.social) February 20, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Heated:
Trump energy chief says there are upsides to ecological collapse
Seven Democrats voted to confirm this man. Seven!
Farage, Tice and Reform UK
Stop Playing Politics with Britain's Energy Future Farage, Tice, and Reform UK push an anti-renewable energy agenda, taxing green power while backing fossil fuels. Their policies risk UK jobs, raise energy bills, and drag Britain backwards on climate action. The renewable energy sector supports over 639,400 British jobs, with the potential to grow to 1.2 million by 2050.
Heatmap Daily: The Trump Administration Is Coming for Environmental Review
And it’s doing so in the most chaotic way possible.
From DK
Meteor Blades
Me
Others
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