Texas Public Radio: U.S. Rep Greg Casar wants Congress to require Texas to connect its power grid to the rest of the country

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.

“Whether we’re in the middle of a heat wave or a winter storm, Texas should be able to keep the lights on," said Congressman Greg Casar, a Democrat whose district includes parts of San Antonio and Austin.

He is drafting legislation that would connect the Texas grid to the rest of the country, something state leaders have long refused to do