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Reuters
10-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Trump calls wind, solar bad for power grid. Texas shows otherwise
July 10, (Reuters) - President Donald Trump claims that rapid adoption of solar and wind power has made U.S. electricity unstable and expensive, justifying his bid to end most subsidies for renewable energy. But reliability has improved dramatically in the U.S. grid with the most renewable energy – in Texas - and electricity prices there are below the national average, according to regulatory filings and price data reviewed by Reuters. At the same time, some grids that rely primarily on fossil fuel generation have experienced reliability issues and surging prices. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the state's main grid operator, forecasts only a 0.30% chance of rolling blackouts during peak energy demand in August, according to its June 6 reliability assessment. That is a vast improvement from the 12% chance it predicted for August 2024. Electricity prices for Texas residential customers and businesses are about 10 cents per kilowatt hour, 24% below the national average, according to the latest monthly report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. "ERCOT has done a good job of defining the products needed for energy and reliability," said Joshua Rhodes, a research scientist at the University of Texas in Austin. "It could be an example for other grids in how to create reliability at a low cost." The Texas grid's performance rebuts the assumptions driving Trump's sweeping tax-and-spending bill that Congress passed last week, which will end subsidies that boosted adoption of solar, wind and other clean energy technologies. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright cheered the cuts in a social media post saying the bill "will help end wasteful subsidies and deliver more reliable energy for the American people!" On Monday Trump signed his latest executive order directing federal agencies to strengthen provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill that repeal or modify tax credits for solar and wind projects. Trump called renewable energy unreliable and expensive. He said renewables displaced more dependable sources, relied on foreign-controlled supply chains and harmed the environment. Solar and wind power only work when the sun is shining or the wind is blowing. This intermittency can risk significant shortfalls during periods of high demand. Indeed, the Texas power grid has had major failures over the years, but not all were related to renewables. In February 2021, natural gas pipelines and well heads froze during a freak cold snap, interrupting supplies to gas-fired generators and causing blackouts that left millions in Texas without power for days. Texas has invested in large-scale battery storage facilities for surplus power from wind, solar or other generators. These release the power when it is needed, and they have helped to sharply reduce the chances of blackouts this year, according to ERCOT's resource adequacy reports reviewed by Reuters. Since summer 2024, ERCOT said it has added nearly 5 gigawatts of battery storage, lifting total capacity above 8 gigawatts. Another 174 gigawatts of storage await connection over the next five years, according to ERCOT. ERCOT declined to comment on Trump's assertions that renewables destabilize the grid. "Increasing capacity from solar and battery storage have been a winning combo for the Texas grid over the past two years," said Garrett Golding, an assistant vice president of energy programs at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. "(It) can be a model for other states with similar climates, but I doubt it applies universally." The White House did not return a message seeking comment. Grids that depend on fossil fuels are not immune to reliability and price issues. The PJM Interconnection, the largest U.S. regional grid, relies heavily on fossil fuels and its electricity prices are soaring while reliability is falling. "The grid is a rusted old pickup truck and we're adding multiple pressures onto it," said Tom Bullock, executive director of The Citizens Utility Board of Ohio, a consumer watchdog group. In Ohio, a key market in PJM's territory, state regulators expect electricity prices to increase more than 20% this year. Last year, natural gas and coal plants accounted for nearly 60% of PJM's electricity generation output. Wind and solar were about 6%, according to PJM. Bullock and other consumer advocates said Trump's rejection of renewables could exacerbate electricity price inflation instead of controlling it, particularly as power demand escalates from data centers and electric vehicles. A U.S. Department of Energy analysis issued this week estimated substantial electricity blackouts in PJM's territory in the next five years, absent a massive amount of new generation. In a worst-case scenario, PJM could have more than 1,000 annual hours when electricity production does not meet demand, the DOE report said. PJM declined to comment on the DOE report. ERCOT's total was just 149 hours in the DOE's worst-case analysis. 'The report recognizes that ERCOT has improved in addressing grid vulnerabilities,' DOE spokesperson Ben Dietderich said. Frank Rambo, executive director of Horizon Climate Initiative, a non-profit that supports cutting fossil fuel generation, said he fears Trump's policies will upend years of planning by utilities, grid operators and state commissions seeking to add renewable energy sources. "It's got destabilization written all over it," Rambo said.
Zawya
10-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Trump calls wind, solar bad for power grid. Texas shows otherwise
President Donald Trump claims that rapid adoption of solar and wind power has made U.S. electricity unstable and expensive, justifying his bid to end most subsidies for renewable energy. But reliability has improved dramatically in the U.S. grid with the most renewable energy – in Texas - and electricity prices there are below the national average, according to regulatory filings and price data reviewed by Reuters. At the same time, some grids that rely primarily on fossil fuel generation have experienced reliability issues and surging prices. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the state's main grid operator, forecasts only a 0.30% chance of rolling blackouts during peak energy demand in August, according to its June 6 reliability assessment. That is a vast improvement from the 12% chance it predicted for August 2024. Electricity prices for Texas residential customers and businesses are about 10 cents per kilowatt hour, 24% below the national average, according to the latest monthly report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. "ERCOT has done a good job of defining the products needed for energy and reliability," said Joshua Rhodes, a research scientist at the University of Texas in Austin. "It could be an example for other grids in how to create reliability at a low cost." The Texas grid's performance rebuts the assumptions driving Trump's sweeping tax-and-spending bill that Congress passed last week, which will end subsidies that boosted adoption of solar, wind and other clean energy technologies. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright cheered the cuts in a social media post saying the bill "will help end wasteful subsidies and deliver more reliable energy for the American people!" On Monday Trump signed his latest executive order directing federal agencies to strengthen provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill that repeal or modify tax credits for solar and wind projects. Trump called renewable energy unreliable and expensive. He said renewables displaced more dependable sources, relied on foreign-controlled supply chains and harmed the environment. Solar and wind power only work when the sun is shining or the wind is blowing. This intermittency can risk significant shortfalls during periods of high demand. Indeed, the Texas power grid has had major failures over the years, but not all were related to renewables. In February 2021, natural gas pipelines and well heads froze during a freak cold snap, interrupting supplies to gas-fired generators and causing blackouts that left millions in Texas without power for days. Texas has invested in large-scale battery storage facilities for surplus power from wind, solar or other generators. These release the power when it is needed, and they have helped to sharply reduce the chances of blackouts this year, according to ERCOT's resource adequacy reports reviewed by Reuters. Since summer 2024, ERCOT said it has added nearly 5 gigawatts of battery storage, lifting total capacity above 8 gigawatts. Another 174 gigawatts of storage await connection over the next five years, according to ERCOT. ERCOT declined to comment on Trump's assertions that renewables destabilize the grid. "Increasing capacity from solar and battery storage have been a winning combo for the Texas grid over the past two years," said Garrett Golding, an assistant vice president of energy programs at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. "(It) can be a model for other states with similar climates, but I doubt it applies universally." The White House did not return a message seeking comment. BETTER THAN OTHERS Grids that depend on fossil fuels are not immune to reliability and price issues. The PJM Interconnection, the largest U.S. regional grid, relies heavily on fossil fuels and its electricity prices are soaring while reliability is falling. "The grid is a rusted old pickup truck and we're adding multiple pressures onto it," said Tom Bullock, executive director of The Citizens Utility Board of Ohio, a consumer watchdog group. In Ohio, a key market in PJM's territory, state regulators expect electricity prices to increase more than 20% this year. Last year, natural gas and coal plants accounted for nearly 60% of PJM's electricity generation output. Wind and solar were about 6%, according to PJM. Bullock and other consumer advocates said Trump's rejection of renewables could exacerbate electricity price inflation instead of controlling it, particularly as power demand escalates from data centers and electric vehicles. A U.S. Department of Energy analysis issued this week estimated substantial electricity blackouts in PJM's territory in the next five years, absent a massive amount of new generation. In a worst-case scenario, PJM could have more than 1,000 annual hours when electricity production does not meet demand, the DOE report said. PJM declined to comment on the DOE report. ERCOT's total was just 149 hours in the DOE's worst-case analysis. 'The report recognizes that ERCOT has improved in addressing grid vulnerabilities,' DOE spokesperson Ben Dietderich said. Frank Rambo, executive director of Horizon Climate Initiative, a non-profit that supports cutting fossil fuel generation, said he fears Trump's policies will upend years of planning by utilities, grid operators and state commissions seeking to add renewable energy sources. "It's got destabilization written all over it," Rambo said.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘Know Your Rights' workshop held in Patterson following traffic stop, arrests
A 'Know Your Rights' workshop was held Thursday at Gathering Covenant Church in Patterson — just blocks from where a Stanislaus County sheriff's deputy was recorded last month using force during a traffic stop. The incident drew public outcry. The workshop was organized in response to the April incident, which involved Deputy Alexander Helms and a driver, Joshua Rhodes. The stop, initiated over an alleged red-light violation, was captured on cellphone video. The footage circulated widely on social media, prompting criticism of the deputy's actions and leading the Sheriff's Office to release body camera footage. After the vehicle stop, the deputy and the driver have a verbal back-and-forth. Helms repeatedly demands Rhodes exit his vehicle, which the driver refuses to do. Eventually, Helms tries to open the door of the car and pull out the driver. At one point during a struggle, Rhodes grabs Helms' arm. By the time backup has arrived, the deputy has fired his Taser at Rhodes and pointed his gun at him. Ultimately, Rhodes and his passenger, Elianna Barraza, were arrested, him on suspicion of using violence or threats to impede a law enforcement official from doing his duty, her for resisting arrest. Sacramento-based criminal defense attorney Keith J. Staten, who led the workshop, was asked how someone should respond in a situation like the one between Helms and Rhodes. Staten went over the encounter and offered an alternative ending: the driver asking to speak with a lawyer and choosing not to engage further with the officer. 'If he had done that, it ends right there,' Staten said. Staten said he believes the situation could have turned deadly — and that the deputy might have shot Rhodes if backup hadn't arrived when it did. 'He was that close to being shot,' Staten said. The workshop was organized by the local NAACP, Valley Improvement Projects, Invest in Me and the Grayson Neighborhood Council. It lasted nearly two and a half hours, with around 20 attendees who were provided pizza and 'Know Your Rights' cards to take home. Wendy Byrd, president of the local NAACP and a member of the Modesto Community Police Review Board, pointed out the contrast in attendance, noting that the turnout was much smaller than the crowd that attended the Patterson City Council meeting to protest the use-of-force incident. 'When there's a problem or something to complain about, you get a big crowd. But when we're talking about solutions and how to advocate for yourself … for some reason, there's little turnout,' Byrd said. Staten, who has been an attorney for about 31 years, said he didn't want to be a lawyer at first, but was pushed into it by a desire 'to save young Black men.' His core mantra is 'Fight the law with the law.' Essentially, knowing rights is key to effectively navigating interactions with law enforcement. 'We carry the burden in ensuring that we're not murdered,' Staten said, adding that it's not worth fighting a cop. 'Don't risk your life because you're ignorant, because you're stupid, because you got pride.' Staten began the presentation with a history of policing in the U.S., tracing its roots to the capture of runaway slaves. He then provided an overview of constitutional rights and key Supreme Court rulings, alongside statistics highlighting the disproportionate arrest rates for Black people nationwide. In Stanislaus County, sheriff deputies used force against Black individuals at a rate of more than six times their population since 2016. Staten's main advice when contacted by police is to say these five crucial words: 'Am I free to leave?' If the answer is no, you are being detained, and you should immediately request to speak with a lawyer. Just give your name and present your ID. Children should also ask for a lawyer rather than ask for their parents. Children 15 and under are required by law to have a lawyer present before questioning in California. Otherwise, remain silent, Staten said. Don't argue, answer questions or ask why you're being stopped. Don't run or resist. 'Give them nothing. Be like water, just float,' he said. He explained the concept of probable cause, a legal standard meaning there is a reasonable basis to believe a crime has been, is being, or will be committed. Police generally need probable cause for arrests, searches and warrants. This is why it's crucial to stay quiet and request an attorney when approached by an officer, Staten said, because anything you say can be used against you and you might unintentionally provide the officer with probable cause. He also urged people to note the names and badge numbers of officers and file complaints with the department if necessary. For safety, you can begin recording the interaction with your phone. Staten encouraged people to serve on juries whenever possible, stressing the importance of diverse jury pools to ensure a 'jury of your peers.'
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Landowners report surprising new income source changing the way they think about property: 'Stable, reliable, multigenerational income'
Investments in renewable energy are making big waves in Texas, possibly to the tune of $50 billion in landowner lease payments and local taxes. According to Factor This, a new report has estimated that massive figure as the total reward for solar, wind, and battery storage projects across the state. The current and expected projects could contribute more than $20 billion in total tax revenue and pay state landowners $29.5 billion. With data shared by a group of nonprofits, including the Solar Energy Industries Association and the Texas Solar + Storage Association, the report's author was also able to project that more than 75% of Texas counties could receive tax revenues from these clean energy projects, per Factor This. "In many cases, the long-term revenue streams renewable energy and energy storage lease agreements provide are helping rural Texans hold on to land that has been in their families for generations," said Joshua Rhodes in a release. The author of the report, Rhodes is also a research scientist at the University of Texas at Austin and chief technology officer at energy firm IdeaSmiths LLC. "And this comes at a time of tremendous growth in electricity demand when we need every new megawatt we can generate, so renewable energy and energy storage projects have the added benefit of helping to increase the state's electric grid reliability." The report also found that renewable energy projects are considered advantageous in Texas by elected officials, community leaders, and landowners who, by welcoming renewable energy and energy storage projects onto their property, can benefit from "stable, reliable, multigenerational income for their families." This aligns with data recently released by Cleanview and the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which, according to Reuters, shows that Texas "is estimated to have installed nearly 80% more combined solar, wind and battery capacity than the next largest state" in the country. One major Texas energy project that's nearly complete is Hornet Solar, a farm of 1.36 million solar panels. It covers six square miles of Swisher County and will be able to power more than 160,000 homes every year, per Electrek. Solar farms are not only great for the environment but also for local homeowners. They lower the cost of energy in the area, reduce pollution, and improve air quality. For more information on switching to solar, check out TCD's guides to installing your own panels or signing up for community solar. Should the government be paying us to upgrade our homes? Definitely Depends on how much it costs Depends on what it's for No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A new ERCOT report shows major future demand on power grid. Why experts are skeptical
AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new report shows the potential for major pressure on the Texas power grid and for energy shortages in the next few years. However, some energy experts said the numbers could be deceiving, pointing to changes in how the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, forecasts the numbers. This month, ERCOT released its report on Capacity, Demand and Reserves for 2025 to 2029. According to a news release at the time, the report aims to give a 'snapshot' of what resources will be available and the potential demand on the grid over the next five years. As political winds shift, Austin braces for renewable energy impact University of Texas research scientist Joshua Rhodes said supply and demand imbalances in the report initially shocked him, until he dug deeper. 'My initial reaction was to be taken aback a little bit. The report is usually pretty boring as far as reports go,' Rhodes explained. 'Although this one, it looked pretty bad. It looked like we were going to have massive shortfalls in the next couple of years. And it's generally quite different than previous versions of the report we've seen.' Rhodes took the numbers in the report and compared them to past figures, showing demand on the state's power grid could skyrocket from now until 2029 — seven and a half times faster than it has grown in the past. KXAN has reported on how the growing population in Texas could impact the grid, but both Rhodes and ERCOT itself highlighted a recent change in how ERCOT forecasts this data, at the direction of state lawmakers. In 2023, House Bill 5066 was introduced to address concerns about how the current process for building electric transmission may not keep up with demand or allow adequate advanced planning, especially for large projects such as data centers for artificial intelligence and cloud storage services or cryptocurrency mining operations. Because of the legislation, ERCOT now considers what's known as 'unsigned load' in the forecast. According to ERCOT President and CEO Pablo Vegas, this means the forecast 'comes directly from the transmission and distribution utilities that are talking with customers.' Rhodes described it by saying, 'Basically, everybody who's thinking about, or roughly thinking about, connecting in a certain area — they would go to utility, and they would talk about what it looks like to get a certain amount of power at a certain location.' He went on to say, 'Before, we wouldn't really count those loads until you know they had gotten further in the process, put some skin in the game, put some money down. But now we're kind of counting everybody, and in this new world — in this race of AI — it's a lot of people who might want to get power, and it's driving up the numbers much faster than they have in the past.' While Rhodes acknowledged that calculating the numbers this way can help the state be more proactive in building out infrastructure, he said the change makes it hard for policy makers and researchers to 'make heads or tails' of what's going on now, to make recommendations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
