Heads of Texas electric grid resign after storm
Top leadership at Texas’s electric grid operator resigned on Tuesday, after they were blamed for rolling blackouts during last week’s deadly winter storm.
The board’s chairman, vice chairman and several directors were among those who stepped down from their roles at the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT effective Wednesday according to an official state notice.
Their resignations came the same day ERCOT was hit with a proposed class action lawsuit by customers who claim their power failed in freezing temperatures, leaving them without light, heat and drinkable water.
The lawsuit accuses ERCOT of failing to prepare the state’s electric power grid for severe weather.
Dozens of Texans died in last week’s freezing temperatures and the state has launched investigations into what caused electrical systems to shut down.
State Governor Greg Abbott welcomed the resignations, noting ERCOT had assured it had adequate power ahead of the storm.
In a statement, he said, “[Investigations] will uncover the full picture of what went wrong"and added he’ll ensure it won’t happen again.
The Public Utility Commission of Texas, which appoints members onto the ERCOT board, declined immediate comment on when it would seek to replace those who resigned.
