2024-05-06 06:25:00
TEXAS ENERGY FIRE
BLOOMBERG- May 2, 2024 - The worst wildfire in Texas history was sparked by a power pole and lines owned by Xcel Energy Inc. that hadn’t been effectively maintained or replaced, according to a state legislative committee report.
The pole identified as the cause of the fire had been suffering from decay, and an Xcel contractor designated it in need of replacement, the report said, citing testimony from an Xcel executive. The report, issued Wednesday, also found that Texas does little to regulate the inspection, maintenance and replacement of utility poles.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire, which charred more than 1 million acres, was the biggest of several wildfires that erupted in February across the Texas Panhandle, destroying ranches and killing thousands of livestock and two people. Total economic loses from the blazes may exceed $1 billion, according to the report from an investigative committee of the Texas House of Representatives.
Xcel has said that its equipment was likely involved in the Smokehouse Creek fire and took a $215 million first-quarter charge to cover potential liabilities. “We do dispute any claims that we acted negligently in maintaining and operating our infrastructure,” the company said Wednesday in response to the report.
The legislative report also found fault with the response to the fires, including a lack of air support and ineffective communication among agencies. It made a number of recommendations, such as additional state oversight of utility pole inspection and replacement programs.
“Prompt and aggressive action is required to better predict, prevent, and respond to future wildfires,” the report said.
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Earlier:
2024, March, 26, 06:25:00
TEXAS ENERGY: THE LARGEST WILDFIRE
The conflagration erupted late last month, the largest wildfire in Lone Star State history. The fire was largely contained as of yesterday afternoon.
2024, March, 18, 06:20:00
TEXAS ENERGY STRAINING
The Texas grid has repeatedly seen tight electricity supplies in the past year as extreme weather and surging power demand strain aging infrastructure.
2024, February, 28, 06:35:00
TEXAS ENERGY GREED
If the Texas Supreme Court over rules the decision of the Texas Court of Appeals, what precedent will be set across all energy markets?
2023, October, 6, 06:30:00
TEXAS NEED ENERGY
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas estimates that there is an almost 20% probability that the state grid will enter into an energy emergency alert, or EEA, if there is a repeat of last year’s December storm. Procuring 3,000 megawatts will cut that probability to less than 10%.
2023, August, 4, 06:00:00
TEXAS ENERGY SWING
Texas residents have worried about extreme weather since a deadly storm in February 2021 left millions without power, water and heat for days as ERCOT struggled to prevent a grid collapse.
2023, July, 28, 06:35:00
TEXAS ENERGY RISKS ANEW
While that trails California’s 52%, Texas is a bigger market. It’s already No. 1 in wind, making it the largest clean energy market in the US.
2023, June, 23, 06:05:00
TEXAS GAS CONSUMPTION UP
While renewable power generation from wind and solar continues to capture much of the peak power demand in The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, demand for gas-fired cooling is also up.
