Winter Storm 2021

Featured coverage

Carbon monoxide killed a Texas mother and daughter. A firefighter was reprimanded after a delayed 911 response.

By Perla Trevizo and Lexi Churchill, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, and Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News March 4, 2022

After half of a Houston family was found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning, reporting by ProPublica, The Texas Tribune and NBC News revealed that a fire crew had failed to enter the house to check on them. A firefighter has now been disciplined. Full Story 

“It looked like the end of the world”: Listen to the stories of Texans who lived through 2021’s historic winter storm

By Jacob Ohara, Ashley Miznazi and Todd Wiseman Feb. 17, 2022

One year later, dozens of Texans from around the state shared their memories about an unforgettable storm. Full Story 

How Texas’ power grid failed in 2021 — and who’s responsible for preventing a repeat

By Mandi Cai, Erin Douglas and Mitchell Ferman Feb. 15, 2022

In the state’s power grid, electricity and natural gas are co-dependent. Here’s how the winter storm last year broke the system. Full Story 

Latest coverage

• ERCOT can’t be sued over power grid failures during 2021 winter storm, Texas Supreme Court rules

  By Emily Foxhall June 23, 2023

  The all-Republican court narrowly found that the nonprofit corporation operating the state’s electrical grid qualifies for sovereign immunity, which protects government entities from lawsuits. Full Story 

• Appeals court says state agency set electricity prices too high during 2021 winter storm

  By Erin Douglas and Emily Foxhall Updated: March 17, 2023

  The actions by the Public Utility Commission led to billions of dollars of overcharges, the Austin-based court found. It’s not yet clear if the ruling will affect consumers. Full Story 

• Lawsuits pile up two years after Texas’ devastating winter storm

  By Emily Foxhall Feb. 14, 2023

  Thousands are accusing power companies, distribution companies, electric grid operators and others of failing to prepare properly for the February 2021 storm, creating a catastrophe. Full Story 

• Texas Supreme Court will decide whether ERCOT should be immune from lawsuits sparked by deadly winter storm

  By Emily Foxhall Jan. 9, 2023

  Many people and insurers sued the Electric Reliability Council of Texas after the 2021 freeze. The nonprofit says it shouldn’t be liable. The state Supreme Court has a chance to weigh in. Full Story 

• Texas energy officials’ proposal to overhaul the power grid is drawing skepticism

  By Joshua Fechter Nov. 18, 2022

  In the wake of the deadly 2021 winter storm, the Texas Legislature ordered an overhaul of the state’s power market to prevent future widespread blackouts. But some senators aren’t fans of the main option on the table. Full Story 

• U.S. plans new safety rules to crack down on carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators

  By Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, and Perla Trevizo and Lexi Churchill, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica Feb. 25, 2022

  The announcement comes two months after an investigation by ProPublica, The Texas Tribune and NBC News detailed the deadly cost of the government’s failure to regulate portable generators. Full Story 

• Texas could connect to national power grids without losing autonomy, former grid regulator says

  By Reese Oxner Feb. 15, 2022

  Texas has long refused to connect its decentralized grid to two national power networks, but Hunt Energy Network CEO Pat Wood said the state could do so without additional oversight — and without state Legislature approval. Full Story 

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• Watch: Lawmakers, community members and experts discuss the impact of the February 2021 storm

  By Emily Hernandez Updated: Feb. 18, 2022

  More than dozen guests discuss Texas’ power grid, how climate change affects the state’s weather and what another winter blackout could mean for Texans in a Texas Tribune symposium on the storm’s anniversary. Full Story 

• One of the hundreds of Texans who died in the 2021 winter storm was a Lubbock ex-hippie with a “brilliant, magical mind”

  By Mitchell Ferman Feb. 10, 2022

  A year ago next week, a winter storm devastated Texas. The family members of one storm victim say her adventurous life shouldn’t have ended by freezing to death in an assisted living facility. Full Story 

• “I’m still trying to recover”: Some Texans are still bearing the brunt of the 2021 winter storm

  By Lauren Santucci and Jordan Vonderhaar Feb. 9, 2022

  Last February’s winter storm left millions of Texans without power for days in subfreezing temperatures. Watch how one family whose home suffered extensive damage is preparing for the next round of cold weather. Full Story 

• The 2021 winter storm caught Texans by surprise. Here’s how to prepare this year.

  By Allyson Waller Updated: Jan. 31, 2022

  With the height of the winter season approaching, here are some tips to prepare an emergency kit, protect your home and stay informed. Full Story 

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• Texas natural gas production dropped during recent cold front, reviving concerns about electric grid

  By Mitchell Ferman Jan. 5, 2022

  Energy experts said the production drop during a relatively ordinary cold front could be a bad sign for the grid if the state is struck by extreme winter weather again. Full Story 

• Texas puts final estimate of winter storm death toll at 246

  By Patrick Svitek Updated: Jan. 3, 2022

  Officials added 36 to the estimate of lives lost in the disaster, which knocked out power in much of the state. Some experts place the toll even higher. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott intervened to put a positive spin on Texas' power grid

  By Mitchell Ferman Dec. 28, 2021

  He's been heavily involved in positive public messaging about the grid’s winter readiness, but the data aren't rosy — and experts fear the grid could fail if there's another winter storm. Full Story 

• Texas electricity regulators say most power generation facilities are ready for winter. That alone won't stop a blackout.

  By Mitchell Ferman Dec. 10, 2021

  In the first status report of how electricity companies are preparing for winter, electric regulators expressed confidence in improvements made since February’s deadly storm. But the changes address only part of the power grid supply chain. Full Story 

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• Analysis: Texas’ electric grid is half-ready for another winter freeze

  By Ross Ramsey Dec. 10, 2021

  Chances are, winter weather won’t be as bad as it was last February. Chances are, Texas won’t have the electric blackouts that caused so much misery then. And chances are, whatever happens will have some influence on the 2022 elections. Full Story 

• Texas energy regulators, gas industry try to reassure the public that the state’s power grid is ready for winter

  By Mitchell Ferman and Erin Douglas Dec. 8, 2021

  As state regulators and the companies that power the grid take steps to avoid another catastrophe like February’s winter storm, climate experts say this winter will likely be milder. Full Story 

• Texas cities weren’t ready for a massive winter storm in 2021. Has that changed?

  By Joshua Fechter Dec. 6, 2021

  Cities have made some preparations in case of another severe winter storm. But keeping the lights and water on is far from guaranteed. Full Story 

• TribCast: Texas braces for the next winter storm and a new COVID-19 variant

  By Matthew Watkins and Michael Rey de Leon Dec. 3, 2021

  In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Mitchell, James and Karen about the status of the power grid and the pandemic heading into winter. Full Story 

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• Texas Democrats see focusing on power grid failure as a winning campaign strategy heading into 2022

  By James Barragán Dec. 3, 2021

  Republican leaders defend their record on the power grid, pointing to more than a dozen laws passed during this year’s legislative session to address the grid’s reliability. Gov. Greg Abbott has staked his reputation on a promise that the lights won't go out this winter. Full Story