Using Winter Storm Uri to Examine Energy Justice in Texas

Abstract:

In February 2020, the Texas Interconnection grid failed during winter storm Uri. Millions were left without power and estimated deaths are in the hundreds. The incident exposed Texans to their energy grid and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) that manages it. The deregulated and free-market approach to the Texas grid has proved to be problematic, and there are growing concerns that deregulation exacerbates energy inequalities. Energy justice is a recent addition to a growing body of scholarship on environmental justice and to increased activism against environmental injustices. Energy justice takes three perspectives into account: (1) energy accessibility, availability, and affordability; (2) due process and good governance; and (3) inter- and intra-generational equity [1]. My research draws on this scholarship to examine energy justice in Texas. My poster examines three questions: 1) who is involved in the process of generating, transporting, and delivering electricity in Texas? 2) Which providers were affected by Uri? And, 3) what is the structure of decision making in ERCOT? Future research will include interviewing stakeholders and analyzing spatial data. My goal is to examine energy justice issues in Texas and understand how to better achieve fair and equitable energy distribution.

Keywords: Energy Justice, ERCOT, Texas Energy, Energy governance

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