WASHINGTON, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Texas’ electric grid operator asked residents and businesses to conserve energy on Sunday as its reserves were expected to decrease during a scorching heat wave that has caused demand to surge.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) issued an appeal for conservation from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. local time (2100-0200 GMT) on its website, saying reserves could run low due to high demand and a lack of wind and solar power generation.
Texas bypasses federal standards in its power grid, all in service of making more money for energy companies in a deregulated business environment. This means their infrastructure is entire shit, which is especially evident during extreme hot and cold weather events.
Not to say the rest of the U.S.'s power grid is great, but it is at least a step above Texas.