When the governor asked to increase production prior to the storm, EPA only authorized a waiver (because global warming limits) IF Texas would charge $1,500 per megawatt. Basically making it impossible. Governor should have just done it w/o charging the $1,500.
We may have our own grid, but feds still have their fingers into everything.
Virtual signalling liberal neighbors and relatives here in gulf coast love to agree that a portion of their power can come from renewable. I try to tell them it actualy costs more due to subsidies.
I never check that box bc I know it's a scam.
Wish i had put my hurricane boards over windows (outside house) night before last. Put cardboard inside house over windows to stop heat leaks. Ended up with ice on windows inside house, but at least cardboard helped keep us bit warmer.
Also wish i knew about 4 hour fridge rule about perishables. Would have taken out all and put outside after 3.5 hours and could have cooked scrambled eggs and bacon on gas stove this morning. Had to throw it all out yesterday. Hey, no biggie compared to disaster going on down in Galveston.
Pray for Texas and for our Nation.
The snow is gone in gulf coast area, but icy roads. I really miss the Cajun Navy - ever since they started showing up for floods, it makes my really proud to know that Americans like them exist!
BTW enough pools in the neighborhood to get buckets for toilet flushing. Also, a lot of us still have our regular huricane supplies - flashlights, batteries, bottled water, food.
Although saw TV reports yesterday of long lines at open grocery stores. People not having the basics - which always amazes me. But that happens even in hurricane season. Unfortunately, it seems to be the less educated Americans.
No power and mobile data is only a trickle so can only get radio and this website. Hearing that Galveston ordering refridgeration trucks for dead - 20+ so far. Expecting more bc they are only just getting started to make rounds checking on people. Not sure what national media is saying about situation. It's dire for some people.
There is this one business owner - "Mattress Mack" - every city has one who does the most anoying weird local commercials. He's opened both his furniture store/showrooms since it started to live on his beautiful furniture. Getting food donations, volunteers. More organized than the city "warming centers".
BTW supposidly national guard is in Houston, but haven't heard anything about them.
Anyway, thanks for thinking of Texas. Other states have it colder, but we are not set up for this cold - too rare of a thinng to change building codes.
Using more energy is what I don't get.
In Texas, summer time (energy cost units are same all year) I spend $250/month with A/C running 24/7. Wintertime - coldest month electricity is under $100; gas goes from about $30 (summer) to $60 (winter).
Our heater uses gas; only uses electric power for blower in attic.
Just hearing 1/3 of our ERCOT (energy managers) live outside Texas. Head of person lives in Michigan. Heads are going to roll
I know this is possible. Obama decided all NASA budget went to states he was going to need in 2012, which was everywhere but Texas. Massive engineering layoffs in Houston - alot of critical knowledge and experience lost forever.
He killed shuttles which were perfectly usable, and we had to pay Russians for rides into space. Also all shuttles were given to places like New York. Houston, mission control, did not get a shuttle. Talk about a slap in the face.
But then that is the same party that put up barriers to open federal parks in budget shutdowns.
Listening to local Texas radio (sitting here w/o power and water). Person who runs ERCOT (tx energy grid manager) is some green weenie living in Michigan. WTF! Texas greenies have been focusing on unreliable sources (wind solar), and less on reliable. When they tried to bring coal plants back online it was too late-frozen.
I guess if covid won't depopulate us, then limited power and clean water will.
You are right. There is no reason for them cutting services. When the hell are we ever in any danger of running out of water? OK, there was a summer about 15 years ago where they asked us to only water 3 days a week or sum such thing.
I miss judge Ed Emmett.
I didn't research ahead of time. After power came back on, I searched on internet and found out that after 4 hours, then stuff has to be tossed. Wish I had looked it up ahead of time - at 3.5 hours into power outage, I would have taken everything outside.
Power out again - set up a TV tray out back with the kids drinks (kool aid, etc). Live and learn.
If there is a next time, I'm going to put up my hurricane boards over the windows for sure - will help with insulation.
Saw today on news that Galveston asking for refrigeration trucks bc of so many dead (froze) last night without power.
Doc in Houston hospital said that the number of people who came in with CO poisoning is off the charts (many have died that don't come into hospital).
Fucking tragedy that the biggest energy producing-state can't keep the fucking lights on!
Power out again, though I won't complain because at least we had power last night and most of today. Trickle of water coming out of faucet - they are also restricting water here. There is no shortage of water here! Ever! But need to restrict it because....
We are just deplorables that are supposed to shut up and take whatever crumbs they decide we can have. Pipeline workers out of work - not sure what difference they could make with this crisis, but any reduction in energy supply to the US is a fucking mistake.
I'm pissed off! A lot of people around here are pissed off too.
Power out again. Water pressure gone. Mobile connection barely there.
Fuck her! At least 20 found dead in Galveston so far (5pm news). Expect lots more. Families burned to death or CO poisoned trying to stay warm.
Fuck her!
Praying for you and all those still without power. We got our power back last night (I'm in gulf coast area). So many still without. Hope everyone made it through the night OK. Spent few days before storm doing my "hurrricane prep" with some additions. Amazed at how many around me didn't.
Just my heater, fridge (had to throw out most of food from fridge side), and tablet on - trying to conserve as much as possible. Keep expecting rolling blackouts to start. Not sure why same areas showing no power yesterday, are still showing no power this morning. Maybe damaged equipment.
Our homes around here are not built for this cold. Ice around the windows inside the house yesterday. I put layers of cardboard over some windows (inside the house). Next time (if there is another of these), I may put up the wood windows coverings we have for hurricaine for outside. May help to insulate the house.
God bless you, and God bless Texas!
I'm in Texas and just got power back on. I don't believe that running the outside compressor and blower in attic (summer AC) is more drain then blower in attic in winter.
I know they keep saying no fuel; I wish I understood what Zerohedge website has been writing about the costs are $9000 megawatt that was $9 a week ago. Maybe some power companies couldn't afford fuel?? I think I may have totally misunderstood it.......
And Santa Ana was found hiding in the tall grass the next day, dressed as a common soldier. Sounds like Sadam!