Hearings on winter storm crisis set

Texas House and Senate committees will hold hearings this week to review the factors that led millions across the state to lose power and water during the winter storm last week, but most Texans won't have a chance to speak to their lawmakers during the proceedings.

Only invited testimony will be allowed at both hearings, one being held by the House State Affairs and Energy Resources House committees; and the other held by the Senate Business and Commerce committees.

The hearings will both start at 9 a.m. Thursday.

Committee chairs did not yet have the names of invited witnesses for Thursday’s meetings.

However, Texans will be able to submit written comments to the House electronically via a portal that will remain open until the meeting adjourns.

It remained unclear Monday how the Senate will accept written testimony.

On the agenda in the joint House committee hearing is a review of “the factors that led to statewide electrical blackouts during the recent unprecedented weather event; the response by industry, suppliers, and grid operators; and changes necessary to avoid future power interruptions.”

The Senate committee will similarly examine “extreme weather condition preparedness and circumstances that led to the power outages, as well as “generator preparedness and performance, utility outage practices, natural gas supply, and the reliability of renewable generation.”

The committee will also consider the performance of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, known by its acronym, ERCOT.