Process of Exclusion

All of the problems plaguing the Texas grid are solvable — and those solutions necessarily require technology, policy, and people. 

In recent days I've covered technology and policy solutions; today, let’s talk about bringing people into the process. 

People, after all, are the reason the grid exists: of course outcomes will be better if those who count on the system are able to help improve it. However, the opposite is also true: exclude people from the process and outcomes will be less than optimal. 

The Texas power grid demonstrates this maxim in the worst way. Leaders consistently undervalue and ignore opportunities to engage and gather input on energy policy and regulations from Texans and Texas communities. Not coincidentally, Texas consistently ranks in the bottom third of states on reliability and affordability. 

The botched Hurricane Beryl response is a yet another example of what happens when regular people aren’t included in decision making on these issues. Without power to shape the grid, too often people find themselves without power from the grid…