Texas agencies taking steps to ensure natural gas availability for electric service ahead of high summer demand
The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) and the Public Utility Commission (PUC) of Texas recently issued a notice to natural gas pipeline operators, electric generation operators and electric utilities, urging them to finalize coordinated preparations for the summer and maintain open lines of communication as the summer progresses.
Summer 2019 could bring with it record-setting demand for electricity in Texas, the notice said. Because natural gas-fueled electric generation accounts for more than 50 percent of power generation in Texas, the notice emphasized the importance of coordination between the state’s electric and natural gas industries for meeting electricity demand.
“Thanks to our state’s robust economy and growing population, the demand for electricity is growing steadily,” DeAnn Walker, chair of the PUC, said. “With gas-fueled electric generation plants making up more than 50 percent of the generation capacity in ERCOT, we must ensure they are able to produce electricity during times of peak demand.”
On Feb. 15, the Gas-Electric Working Group of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) discussed guidelines to ensure necessary coordination of natural gas availability and delivery to electric generation facilities to prevent disruptions. Electric utilities are receiving information on key electricity-consuming pipeline facilities that provide natural gas to generation facilities to ensure coordination.
“We applaud our industries for collaborating on solutions that will keep Texans cool and our economy humming during the blistering summer months,” Christi Craddick, Chair of the Texas Railroad Commission, said. “Texas has more than enough natural gas to fuel power generation, we must make sure it can get where it’s needed, when it is needed, and that requires coordination between gas pipelines companies, electric generation facilities, and electric utilities.”
