In recent weeks, we’ve all been experiencing bizarre weather which has caused a lot of problems when it comes to school, transportation, and travel. Hence Greenwood’s frequent usage of 2-hour delays, virtual days, and even a 3-hour delay in the past weeks. Although this weather can be rather frustrating, it’s still manageable in the end. Sadly, this is not the case for the citizens of Texas, who have been experiencing blackouts in power, severe winter storms, and below-freezing temperatures.
On February 10, 2021, a series of winter weather storms swept the nation, bringing snow, rain, sleet, ice, etc. These storms created record low temperatures in many parts of the south, specifically Texas. In total, nearly 5 million Americans lost power, and an array of other damages have ensued after the storms.
This is a photo of the Texas Blackouts, which can be viewed from space.
Because of the lack of electricity, many Texans have resorted to sitting wrapped up in their cars and other heat-producing vehicles to try to fight off the bitter cold. Many have also gone without clean drinking water, and have to conserve their food to make it last, although it isn’t known how long the blackouts could go on. For some people, none of these things were enough to survive these harsh conditions. In fact, it was reported on February 19, 2021, that at least 58 people had died in relation to the storms, carbon monoxide poisoning from sitting in heated vehicles, house fires, hypothermia, and drowning.
In the midst of these awful events, we have to wonder, “why did this happen?” How can a cold spell beat the strong American power infrastructure we all so heavily rely on? At the onset of the power blackouts, many Republican government officials, including Texas Governor Mr. Greg Abbott, speculated that the power outages were the result of frozen wind turbines. However, the power outages have actually been linked to the freezing of natural gas lines and other equipment associated with the lines.
You may ask, “Why can’t they just source power elsewhere?” and to understand why they can’t, first you must understand how the power grid in Texas operates. Essentially, Texas’s power grid is almost completely isolated from other U.S. grids, which makes it very difficult to receive power from other regions, especially with all of the weather-related issues they are facing.
Another factor that led to the demise of the Texas grid is the lack of weatherization of their power plants and the overall aged infrastructure for America’s energy. Last summer, a federal report was sent out that recommended getting a head start on weatherization so that they wouldn’t be in such deep trouble if something like this catastrophe were to happen. Sadly, a lot of the advice in the report was ignored, or just not able to be done at all. The weatherization of aging power plants, like anything else, requires a large sum of money that investors and companies can’t afford, or don’t see necessary in an otherwise warm area such as Texas.
An additional reason why Texas was hesitant and resistant on weatherization is the fact that the energy market in Texas is deregulated, which means that citizens can buy and sell electricity in the market, as well as invest in power plants and other energy sources. Because of this, the energy suppliers are trying to supply energy as inexpensively and efficiently as possible. If they aren’t required to make the often costly and time-consuming weatherization changes to their power plants, why would they? Looking back on their decisions with today’s knowledge and this current event, their reluctance to weatherize can most likely be viewed as a big mistake.
With power blackouts still remaining steady today on February 22, 2021, we have to ask what comes next? How does Texas confront these issues, and how do they get their citizens back on track after this crisis? Well, to start, many politicians including AOC have fundraised and came up with almost 5 million dollars in relief funds. Even here in Pennsylvania, you can help by donating to trusted organizations if you have the means to do so. Also, the weak and outdated infrastructure in Texas, and all over America has been a hot topic. Many are wondering how we will improve it as a nation, and even how we can move to more sustainable, or renewable energy in the future so a full blackout like in Texas is less likely to happen. It is probable that these issues will be a new concern for the Biden Administration, which entered the White House in January of this year, 2021.
Although it seems as if the problems we are facing as a nation just keep piling up, it’s crucial that we don’t give up, or surrender to these issues. With pressure for policy, legislation, and accountability within the energy industry, we can ensure that it will be less likely for such a deadly, consequential blackout to happen in the future.
Sources: