Connect the Grid Act
By connecting the ERCOT grid, all Texans and Americans would have more reliable electricity, saving lives in future natural disasters. The U.S. would also be better-able to reach its climate goals with Texas’s clean energy production.
What is the Connect the Grid Act?
The Connect the Grid Act is a bill first introduced by Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas) during the 118th Congress. It would connect the Texas electric grid to the surrounding national grids, improving reliability, saving money, and helping combat the climate crisis. It’s time to improve reliability, save billions of dollars, and protect our planet. It’s time to connect the grid and deliver power to the people!
Why do we need the Connect the Grid Act?
🔌 For Reliability
Places in Texas, like El Paso, that are not part of ERCOT were less impacted than their neighbors inside of ERCOT during the storm. If we increase the transfer capacity between Texas and some of its neighbors we can create a reliable grid that can withstand winter storms and summer heatwaves.
💰 For Our Pocket Books
During Winter Storm Uri in 2021, each additional 1 GW of transmission ties between the Texas power grid and the Southeastern U.S. could have saved nearly $1 billion while keeping the heat on for hundreds of thousands of Texans. Interconnection helps lower costs in the long term as well; increased interconnection between ERCOT and its neighbors could save Texas $20 billion over the next 13 years. However, if we continue to be isolated it could cost Texas $27 billion over the next 13 years.
🌎 For Our Climate
To fight the climate crisis, the U.S. can’t afford to not be connected to Texas. After all, we’re the largest producer of renewable energy in the world! By connecting Texas to its neighbors, we can relieve congestion that often leaves solar and wind underutilized, a boon for rural Texas communities which can continue to lead the way in developing renewable energy for Texas and its neighbors.
What does the Connect the Grid Act do?
This bill has three main parts:
- Requires interconnection between ERCOT and the grids that it neighbors.
- Brings ERCOT under Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) oversight. ERCOT would be required to work with FERC to ensure just and reasonable pricing and transmission planning.
- Requires the Department of Energy to conduct a study on the reliability, climate, and cost benefits of interconnection with Mexico.
View the full legislative text here.
Stories from Winter Storm Uri
In February 2021, thousands of Texans faced power outages, medical emergencies, and even deaths of family members because of the Texas grid’s failure during Winter Storm Uri. More than ten million people lost power and hundreds of Texans died cold, alone, and in the dark.
We spoke with folks impacted by the Texas grid's failure and the need to connect Texas to the national electric grids. Here are just some of their stories:
How did Winter Storm Uri impact you? As our office works to gather support for the Connect the Grid Act, we're hoping to highlight additional stories of Texans impacted by Winter Storm Uri in 2021. If you're willing to share your experience, please fill out this form and send to others who were impacted:
Hear from Representatives supporting the Connect the Grid Act:
Who supports the bill?
Background
- Vox (May 2022): The Texas grid is designed to fail
- The New York Times – Opinion (Feb. 2022): When will Texas emerge from the dark?
- Grid Strategies (Jul. 2021): Transmission makes the power system resilient to extreme weather
- Texas Monthly (Apr. 2021): Who’s responsible for the Texas blackouts?
- The New York Times (Feb. 2021): How Texas’ drive for energy independence set it up for disaster
- The Texas Tribune (Feb. 2021): Power outages leave millions of Texans desperate for heat and safety
Learn more about the bill at congress.gov, or read the latest:
More on Connect the Grid Act
Connecting the Texas electric grid to the rest of the nation could prevent power outages affecting millions of people during extreme weather events similar to the deadly 2021 Winter Storm Uri, according to a new study published Monday.
WASHINGTON – Today, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Climate Policy Center pub
During the legislative session of 2021, Texas lawmakers knew they had to take action to relieve concerns about this state’s power grid.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas) emphasized the importance of connecting Texas to the national gr
TEXAS – This week, Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas), local leaders, and Texans impacted by Winter Storm Uri hosted pres
Of the numerous vulnerabilities exposed by the deadly 2021 Texas blackouts, one caught people's attention more than the rest: Texas exists as an energy island.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas),
Texas' unique power grid was on full display when it failed in February 2021, leaving millions of Texans without power for several days during a winter storm.
And then once again in the summer of 2023, as the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) issued regular pleas to Texas residents to conserve energy to avoid blackouts.