C&L: Texas Power Blackouts Were Preventable -- But Freedumb, Dammit!

[Montauk6]

The failure of the Texas electrical grid in this historic winter storm is a textbook example of why bumper sticker policies Just. Don't. Work.

See, for an assortment of wingnut ideas -- "independence," protecting the almighty petrochemical industry from taxation, etc. -- Texas has its own power grid. If Texas had raised taxes and invested in infrastructure upgrades, they could be part of the national power grid -- and those people shivering through this storm could have electricity sent from other parts of the country. But freedumb!

Here's Texas senator John Cornyn blaming it on wind power:

Link to tweet

More: https://crooksandliars.com/2021/02/texas-power-blackouts-were-preventable#comments-inner

[Walleye]

1. Does he think we should go back to typewriters and rotary phones?

After all, the Internet does go out from time to time. So maybe we shouldn’t have it(sarcasm)

[AllaN01Bear]

2. use one in case the power goes out here , but alas at and t

is letting copper based lines decay in favour for fiber optices and cell phones .

[Ferrets are Cool]

3. Gee, that doesn't happen in states that install them correctly.

You stupid fuck.

[Walleye]

4. Are they deliberately doing a half assed job to make green energy seen inefficient?

[Montauk6]

5. Well, it's what they do with government in general, just saying...

[Walleye]

6. Good point.

[CanonRay]

7. I wonder if some industries will now reconsider moving to Texas

The bill is coming due.

[LizBeth]

8. Didn't they choose not install heaters or something on these windmills because cheap know it alls?

[Deacon Blue]

10. Yep. Turbines in Sweden, Canada, Minnesota...

The oil sump is heated, and the leading edge of the blades have the ability to displace ice that makes the turbine unbalanced. Down here we’re ready for summer electric demand, but going it alone and on the cheap...well, at least it isn’t California-style socialism.

And the wind turbine are generating MORE than anticipated by ercot, not less. These people are pushing this to show how ‘unreliable’ green technology is. What IS reliable around here is ercot/the state getting caught flat-footed, then pivoting with some what-abouterism, dang libruls an all...

[LizBeth]

11. Thanks for the information.

[Scruffy1]

12. I lived in Minnesota a long time.

Western Minnesota has huge wind power even in the winter. You have to put an optional heater kit on. This is no different than every roof top heating and cooling unit on the planet. Rather it makes sense in Texas I don't know. The wind segment of the Texas power supply was only 1 gigawatt short of the 30 gigawatt shortage. Wind generators don't freeze up, they "lock out" at a preset temperature to prevent damage. All other power plants need water for cooling purposes and other usages If you lose your water you are shut down.

[LizBeth]

13. +1

[Gothmog]

9. Texas GOP and ERCOT-Preparation is for wimps

It is tough living in Texas at times. The GOP has set up ERCOT which is a separate Texas only power grid that is not well planned. The Texas GOP was proud of Texas being independent of the rest of the United States and now we are paying for this arrogance

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet