This weekend, over 80 thousand Lubbock Power and Light customers will make the transition to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) Grid. The transition comes just a few months after a massive winter storm crippled the grid, leaving millions of Texans without power as they grappled with freezing temperatures. The Texas Tribune reported that over 100 people died as a result of the storm—most from hypothermia—however, more recently BuzzFeed's data review estimates that number is much higher. As the city approaches the transition, Lubbock officials are hopeful that this year’s grid disaster won’t happen again.
On this episode of Listen in Lubbock, we unpack the events surrounding winter storm Uri. What went wrong? And what is the state doing to prevent a future disaster?
Guests:
Dominic Anthony Walsh, energy, environment and public health reporter for Texas Public Radio
Jayme Lozano, rural health reporter, Texas Tech Public Media
Helpful Link:
Private Electricity Companies Push To End Shutoff Moratorium As Summer Looms, from Dominic Anthony Walsh.
State Lawmakers Approve Overhaul Of Texas Grid In Response to Blackout, from Mose Buchele
Working with the weather: West Texas growers continue adapting to climate change impacts, from Jayme Lozano
