New EPA rule could lead to rolling blackouts in Texas

[CG6468]

New EPA rule could lead to rolling blackouts in Texas, PUC chairwoman says
Posted Friday, Aug. 19, 2011

By Jack Z. Smith

jzsmith@star-telegram.com

The head of the Texas Public Utility Commission expressed concern Friday that a new federal air quality rule, set to take effect Jan. 1, will cause disruptions in electric service.

If implementation of the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule is not delayed, "I have no doubt in my mind that this rule will result in reliability issues and rolling outages in Texas," Donna Nelson said at the start of the commission's meeting.

The rule, issued in early July by the Environmental Protection Agency, would require substantial reductions in emissions of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide at power plants in 27 states.

The EPA says the rule will save and prolong lives by reducing harmful smog and soot pollution. Gina McCarthy, an EPA assistant administrator, said in a previous statement that power plants in the state "will be able to cut their pollution without jeopardizing reliable electricity service for Texans."

But Dallas-based power generator Luminant says it doesn't have enough time to comply and has asked that the EPA delay implementation.

You can bet that this affects other states in a like manner.        

DISBAND THE DAMNED EPA!

[JohnnyReb]

The rule, issued in early July by the Environmental Protection Agency, would require substantial reductions in emissions of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide at power plants in 27 states.

I bet those 27 states have a lot in common with the car dealers that Obama put out of business.....all republican.

There were 2 new car dealerships in my small town forced out of business by the government....I wonder if there is some way they could sue Obama when he leaves office....each one individually so as to eat up Obamas' money and time.

[DumbAss Tanker]

The great thing about the EPA is that the Dems think upping the agency's aggression level will make their party stronger in the election, because it will show just how bad off the country is and how much it needs the Dems and their no-quarter EPA to fix it, when in reality this stance will drive down the number of people willing to vote for it to previously-unexplored new depths.   

[TVDOC]

The great thing about the EPA is that the Dems think upping the agency's aggression level will make their party stronger in the election, because it will show just how bad off the country is and how much it needs the Dems and their no-quarter EPA to fix it, when in reality this stance will drive down the number of people willing to vote for it to previously-unexplored new depths.   

True......on a side note, there is a real war brewing here in Missouri on this, our governor (a Dem as you know) has ordered it implemented, and the legislature is threatening to strip him of his authority to do so if he doesn't back down.  Gonna be interesting......there are at least five lawsuits filed by utilities already.

doc

[Erasmus]

Let's just secede already.  This is unworkable.  Liberals are too stupid to fix, and there are too many stupid liberals.  Let's just secede, continue the policy of stealing companies from blue states, and call it a day.  We're at an impasse in our relationship with the blue states.  They're intentionally shooting the economy in the foot, promoting immorality, making promises (SS and medicare) that they cannot possibly keep, etc. 

It was good while it lasted.

[CG6468]

...and there are too many stupid liberals.

Stupid liberals is redundant. But it IS well-put! 

[Erasmus]

Stupid liberals is redundant. But it IS well-put! 

Touche, that is truth!

[CG6468]

 

[NHSparky]

The rule, issued in early July by the Environmental Protection Agency, would require substantial reductions in emissions of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide at power plants in 27 states.

I bet those 27 states have a lot in common with the car dealers that Obama put out of business.....all republican.

There were 2 new car dealerships in my small town forced out of business by the government....I wonder if there is some way they could sue Obama when he leaves office....each one individually so as to eat up Obamas' money and time.

Problem is, Texas is fairly unique in that there are essentially three large "grids" for the US: The Eastern Intertie (or Interconnection), Western Intertie, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).  While all of these grids interconnect with each other to some degree (Western to Mexico and ERCOT, Eastern to Western via Canada.)  Problem is that ERCOT has the most tenuous connections to the other systems, and is in effect most "islanded" from the rest of the grid.

For your reading, if you don't mind pulling your eyeballs out some night:

http://www.theenergylibrary.com/node/647

Basically, something that is going to affect so many GW of generation is going to hit harder in a smaller system with few ties to other systems, such as ERCOT.  Other systems like back east will be able to cushion the blow a bit better.