ERCOT and PUB: Cut From the Same Cloth
It really is sad how utility companies and conglomerates are allowed to operate relatively unchecked in the State of Texas.
PUB is the Public Utilities Board. It is an interesting utility company for a couple of reasons. First, it is one of the only city-owned utility companies in South Texas and maybe in the entire state. And second, the PUB operates like a quasi-monopoly, controlling not only their customer's electricity, but their water and garbage and brush collection.
Unless customers want to switch their electric provider to one of the smaller companies that offer electricity, or unless they fo with an alternative source of electricity like solar, you're at the mercy of the PUB.
Their record is less than exemplary. Every Brownsvillian knows the joke when they see a PUB crew out working — one guy is doing the work while five others stand around and supervise. But that isn't the only issue in recent times.
In 2013, PUB entered into qn agreement with Nebraska-based energy company Tenaska. PUB raised their rates in order to cover part of the cost of building a brans new 800 megawatt power plant. Under the deal for fronting part of the cost, PUB would receive 25% of the power generated.
The power plant was never built.
The issue with that is PUB has kept the rates at the same level as when they were trying to raise enough money to pay for the construction; PUB never reduced their rates or offered a credit to their customers.
And what's the worst part of the entire boondoggle? Despite audits being ordered to uncover where the money is, and despite investigations into trying to understand the inner workings of the deal, PUB has responded with a whole lot of silence — other than millions of dollars going "missing," the brass at the utility company, the investigations, and the audits have failed to give Brownsvillians a definitive answer about anything.
And what's the worst part of the worst part of the whole boondoggle? The city government has the authority to lower energy rates if they see fit. With current city commissioners having served on the PUB board of directors, it appears they're content with sticking their customers with the higher rates.
Yet, our do-nothing city commission talks about responsibility, accountability, and transparency.
I don't think rhey know what any of those words mean.
This wasn't the only fiasco PUB has been involved in. Other than the possible financial irresponsibility, and PUB CEO John Bruciak's theoretical fiduciary malfeasance, the city's utility company completely failed during the crippling winter storm that gripped Brownsville earlier in the year. After rhousands of Brownsville residents were left without power and water for several days, we all learned PUB had plenty of power they held back in reserve; they even exported power to CPL Energy, the Upper Valley's utility company.
If large portions of Brownsville's power grid were dark, why did PUB sell the much needed power to other cities?
PUB's excuse was they were told to hold that power back by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. You've probably heard of them as ERCOT. Funny how PUB didn't pushback at all. They just followed the orders handed down from Austin and sat back after they turned the lights out.
ERCOT's excuse was the reason the statewide grid failed despite places like Brownsville holding power in reserve and selling it to other power companies was the infrastructure is set up to handle the Texas heat and the freak winter storm was an anomaly; it wouldn't happen once the cold went away and temperatures came back up.
Some of those who did not experience power outages would see insane rate increases. At the height of the winter storm, ERCOT raised the price of electricity to 9,000 dollars per megawatt hour, an increase from approximately 50 dollars per megawatt hour. This caused some utility bills to soar into the thousands. After threats of lawsuits, and the intervention of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, one energy company forgave 29 million dollars of unpaid utility bills.
But it was going to be OK. The summer months were coming. Texas energy grids were designed to handle the blistering Texas heat.
Apparently not.
ERCOT released a statement saying because of the heat, demand for electricity was going to be so high the grid was going to be strained to the point blackouts might roll around again. However, ERCOT would not release a statement explaining why several powerplants across Texas were offlne.
I may not be the smartest man alive, but it sure sounds like powerplants being shut down is making the increase in demand worse.
Now people with smart homes are starting to experience problems. Smart homes allow people to control lights, appliances, door locks, and the thermostat remotely through a computer or smart phone. If your thermostat was connected to the internet, some energy companies allowed you to enroll in an energy plan that saved you a few dollars in exchange for allowing the utility company access to your smart home network.
Some Houston-area residents found once the heat started rising their internet connected thermostats were being remotely controlled by the energy company. Thermostats were reset to uncomfortably high temperatures. One user on posted a video to social media showing his thermostat close to 80 degrees. He was unable to lower it — it had been locked by the energy company.
Another houstonian said hearrived to his house after work to find the temperature inside his house in the mid-80's. His wife and three month old daughter were taking a nap when the thermostat was raised remotely by the energy company. The pair woke up drenched in sweat. I'm certain sleeping under the covers for an infant is extremely hazardous.
Imagine your reaction if you've been working at your stressful job all day. You're looking forward to a relaxing afternoon cooling down in front of your TV only to arrive to a sweltering house.
God forbid an infant or an elderly person experience a heat stroke being in those conditions. Who thought it was a good idea to allow a utility company to control your house?
What the hell is going on at these utility companies? What the hell is going on at ERCOT? City and state leaders seem content to let these companies do whatever they want whenever they want. This kind of price gouging and business practices should be unacceptable.
Instead of signing laws allowing Texans to run around with firearms unlicensed, and instead of passing laws telling women what to do with their bodies, the governor and the state legislature should worry more about careless greedy companies that if are allowed to continue to operate unchecked will end up contributing to someone's death.
I wonder how much money ERCOT and the utility companies think a Texan's life is worth?
PUB leadership has to go. The ERCOT leadership has to go. We cannot allow the wealthy few to keep controlling the power grid.
It's time to cut off their power.
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