https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/Wholesale-power-prices-spiking-across-Texas-15951684.php Skip to main content Currently Reading What went wrong with the Texas power grid? * Subscribe Subscribe * e-edition * Sign In * [ ] * Subscribe * Local News + Houston + Suburbs + Education + Texas + Environment + Health & Medicine * Coronavirus * Politics + Houston + Texas + U.S. & World * Business + Fuel Fix + Texas Inc. + Real Estate + Top Workplaces + Retail + TechBurger * Texas Sports Nation + Texans + Astros + Rockets + Dynamo & Dash + College + High School * Food + Restaurants & Bars + Restaurant Reviews + Barbecue + Recipes * Lifestyle + Religion + Home & Garden + Home Design + Society + Travel/Explore * ReNew Houston + Wellness + Nutrition + Fitness + Health * Preview + Movies & TV + Music + Arts & Exhibits + Classical + Dance + Theater * Investigations * Interactives + Texas Flood Map + Bayou City Cookbook + Tracking COVID-19 * Opinion + Editorials + Letters to the Editor + Columnists + Essays * Podcasts & Video * Newsletters + Morning Report + Afternoon Report + Breaking News * e-Edition * Obituaries * Crosswords * Shop the Chronicle * TV Listings * Archive * Terms of Use * Privacy Notice Most Popular * Kevin Morazan warms his hands after lightning his charcoal grill to cook after losing power due to rolling blackouts following an overnight snowfall in the Greenspoint area Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 in Houston. Temperatures plunged into the teens Monday with light snow and freezing rain. The stove in his apartment is electric. What went wrong with the Texas power grid? * Secretary of Energy Rick Perry stands with the main cyrogenic heat exchange behind him as he speaks with reporters at Dominion Engery's Cove Point LNG liquefaction Project facility in Lusby, Md., Thursday, July 26, 2018. The completion of the facilities export expansion project makes it just the second LNG export facility in the U.S. Perry says Texans willing to suffer blackouts to keep feds out of power... * Shanice Ardion holds her jacket tight in her home as her stove burns in the background Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, at Cuney Homes in Houston. She said the stove was their only source of heat since their power has been out since yesterday. Texas grid repeats mistake federal officials cited 10 years ago * This photo posted on Twitter Monday night shows the Houston skyline lit up brightly while surrounding homes are in the dark. As residents froze in darkness, why was Houston's skyline lit up? * People line up to fill their empty propane tanks at a business on the North Freeway Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 in Houston. Temperatures stayed below freezing Tuesday, with many still without power. With supply still too low, Centerpoint tries new strategy: Spread the... * The sheetrock underneath a bust pipe in Nick Conway's attic comes down due to the leak Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, in Houston. Conway called his plumber but was told he was the 10th person on the line so he purchased a repair tape to fix the pipe himself. Should you drip your faucets to prevent burst pipes? * People take advantage of the rare snow and use whatever they can to sled at Buffalo Bayou Park in Houston on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021. Live weather updates: Houston power outages to last 'couple days' * The sheetrock underneath a bust pipe in Nick Conway's attic comes down due to the leak Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, in Houston. Conway called his plumber but was told he was the 10th person on the line so he purchased a repair tape to fix the pipe himself. Here's what to do if your pipes are frozen * People who lost power or have no place to go are staying at Lakewood Church Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, in Houston. Tomlinson: Texas built a weak electricity grid and it failed * Heights-area resident Brooke Schuler shared this photo of her frozen water faucet on Tuesday morning, after she had lost power to her home and left her faucet dripping. Photo: Water from faucet freezes in Houston home with no power Business // Energy What went wrong with the Texas power grid? Marcy de Luna, Amanda Drane, Houston Chronicle Feb. 15, 2021Updated: Feb. 16, 2021 7:10 p.m. Facebook Twitter Email Comments 92 Kevin Morazan warms his hands after lightning his charcoal grill to cook after losing power due to rolling blackouts following an overnight snowfall in the Greenspoint area Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 in Houston. Temperatures plunged into the teens Monday with light snow and freezing rain. The stove in his apartment is electric.1of92 Kevin Morazan warms his hands after lightning his charcoal grill to cook after losing power due to rolling blackouts following an overnight snowfall in the Greenspoint area Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 in Houston. Temperatures plunged into the teens Monday with light snow and freezing rain. The stove in his apartment is electric. Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less CenterPoint alert, Feb. 15, 20212of92 CenterPoint alert, Feb. 15, 2021 CenterPointShow MoreShow Less People stand in line outside Kroger, 10306 S Post Oak Rd, waiting to find items to get them through the cold weather Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, in Houston.3of92 People stand in line outside Kroger, 10306 S Post Oak Rd, waiting to find items to get them through the cold weather Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, in Houston. Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 4of92Heights resident Bill Weinle boils water on his stove to add heat in his home, which was without power and water, in Houston, Wednesday, February 17, 2021, after a winter storm left people without power and water along with freezing temperatures.Karen Warren /Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 5of92Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, center greets a man with a fist-bump as he and other city officials tour a city warming shelter Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.Jon Shapley/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 6of92Heights resident Todd Green huddles beneath multiple blankets as he tries to stay warm in his home without power and running water, in Houston, Wednesday, February 17, 2021, after a winter storm left people without power and water along with freezing temperatures.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 7of92 A line of cars for the McDonald's drive thru on Ella Boulevard, in Houston, Wednesday, February 17, 2021, after a winter storm left people without power and water along with freezing temperatures. Karen Warren / Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 8of92 A line of about 100 people wait to get in the Korger grocery store on 11th Street in the Heights, in Houston, Wednesday, February 17, 2021, after a winter storm left people without power and water along with freezing temperatures. Karen Warren / Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 9of92The sheetrock underneath a bust pipe in Nick Conway's attic comes down due to the leak Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, in Houston. Conway called his plumber but was told he was the 10th person on the line so he purchased a repair tape to fix the pipe himself.Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 10of92 People stand in line outside Kroger, 10306 S Post Oak Rd, waiting to find items to get them through the cold weather Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, in Houston. Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 11of92The water shelves were empty at a grocery store following the frigid winter storm froze pipes and people were out of water and power Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, in Houston.Brett Coomer/Staff PhotographerShow MoreShow Less 12of92Many gas stations are out of gas like this one on Almeda Road near the Medical Center Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, in Houston.Steve Gonzales/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 13of92Nick Conway crawls into his attic and fixes a burst water pipe, due to the cold weather, with a repair tape Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, in Houston. Conway called his plumber but was told he was the 10th person on the line so he purchased the tape to fix the pipe himself.Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 14of92A small snowman in Stude Park Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, in Houston. Steve Gonzales/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 15of92 Shanice Ardion holds her jacket tight in her home as her stove burns in the background Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, at Cuney Homes in Houston. She said the stove was their only source of heat since their power has been out since yesterday. Jon Shapley/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 16of92 "I'm trying not to panic but it's hard," said Alicia Carr as she wraps her sweater around her body Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, at Cuney Homes in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 17of92Kaiden Antoine, 3, stands by the stove, his family's only source of heat since their power has been out since yesterday, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, at Cuney Homes in Houston.Jon Shapley/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 18of92The scene of a home where a grandmother and her three elementary-age grandchildren died Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, in Sugar Land.Steve Gonzales/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 19of92 A fire investigator checks the second floor of a home where a grandmother and her three elementary-age grandchildren died Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, in Sugar Land.Steve Gonzales/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 20of92Wayne Cashmere bundles up at a shelter setup at the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, in Conroe. Cashmere, who lives in at his home in Spring, said he was transported to the shelter Monday evening after his oxygen levels dropped. "I was siting in my house without power and my oxygen level dipped below 70,"Cashmere said. "Thankfully I was able to call the fire department and they got me here."Jason Fochtman/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 21of92Wanda Gleason, left, comforts Billie Walker after she arrived at a shelter setup at the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, in Conroe.Jason Fochtman/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 22of92Angelia Toliver helps set up an iPad for her sons, Zechariah and Mack, at a shelter setup at the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, in Conroe. The family came to the shelter after their home loss power yesterday. "We're just came here to get warm for a while," Angelia said. "We're hoping we get power today, but if not we will probably come back to have somewhere warm to sleep.Jason Fochtman/ Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 23of92 People line up to fill their empty propane tanks at a business on the North Freeway Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 in Houston. Temperatures stayed below freezing Tuesday, with many still without power. Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 24of92 People line up to fill their empty propane tanks at a business on the North Freeway Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 in Houston. Temperatures stayed below freezing Tuesday, with many still without power. Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 25of92 People line up to fill their empty propane tanks at a business on the North Freeway Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 in Houston. Temperatures stayed below freezing Tuesday, with many still without power. Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 26of92People gather at a warming shelter set up at Gallery Furniture Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 in Houston. As emperatures stayed below freezing Tuesday, and many in the neighborhood around the furniture store without power, Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale opened his store to help area residents come in from the cold.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 27of92Debra Bracey, who lost power at her home Monday evening, rests on a couch at a warming shelter set up at Gallery Furniture Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 in Houston. As emperatures stayed below freezing Tuesday, and many in the neighborhood around the furniture store without power, Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale opened his store to help area residents come in from the cold.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 28of92Janice and James Benavides share a meal together on a floor model couch at a warming shelter set up at Gallery Furniture Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 in Houston. As emperatures stayed below freezing Tuesday, and many in the neighborhood around the furniture store without power, Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale opened his store to help area residents come in from the cold.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 29of92Debra Bracey, who lost power at her home Monday evening, rests on a couch at a warming shelter set up at Gallery Furniture Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 in Houston. As emperatures stayed below freezing Tuesday, and many in the neighborhood around the furniture store without power, Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale opened his store to help area residents come in from the cold.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 30of92Iritha Stranton, left, and her husband Gregory Walters sit on a floor model couch at a warming shelter set up at Gallery Furniture Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 in Houston. As emperatures stayed below freezing Tuesday, and many in the neighborhood around the furniture store without power, Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale opened his store to help area residents come in from the cold.Brett Coomer/ Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 31of92Russell Johnson sits on a recliner as he sits with his son, Jaleel, far left, and Shawn Blanc at a warming shelter set up at Gallery Furniture Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 in Houston. As emperatures stayed below freezing Tuesday, and many in the neighborhood around the furniture store without power, Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale opened his store to help area residents come in from the cold.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 32of92Joecyah Heath, from left, Joeanna Heath, Jermell Heath, Jenesis Heath and June Day and Morning Day, far right, share a meal together on a floor model dining room table at a warming shelter set up at Gallery Furniture Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 in Houston. As emperatures stayed below freezing Tuesday, and many in the neighborhood around the furniture store without power, Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale opened his store to help area residents come in from the cold.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 33of92Drew Thomas, center, waits outside with others to enter Panda Express restaurant along FM 1960 near State Highway 249 for take out Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 in Houston. As she was nearing the door and said she had been in line for more than 30 minutes. She had no power at her home.Melissa Phillip/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 34of92A long line of cars wait along FM 1960 to turn into McDonald's where the drive thru line continues around the restaurant Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 in Houston.Melissa Phillip/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 35of92Anthony Norden, left, and his girlfriend, Liberty Stutts, wait outside to enter Panda Express restaurant along FM 1960 near State Highway 249 for take out Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 in Houston. They said they had waited for more than 40 minutes and were next in line to enter. They had no power at their home.Melissa Phillip/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 36of92Joe A. helps to blow flood water out of his neighbor's garage Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, in South Houston. Sylvia Gomez lost power at her house and went to stay with her daughter in Pasadena last night, but came home to find her water pipes bursted and flooded her house.Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Show MoreShow Less 37of92Jacob Chapa dumps water pumped out of his mother-in-law's house Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, in South Houston. Sylvia Gomez lost power at her house and went to stay with her daughter in Pasadena last night, but came home to find her water pipes bursted due to the cold weather and flooded her house. They had to rent a water suction pump to pump the water on the floor.Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 38of92 Houston Police officers Kenneth Bigger, center, and Aaron Day, center-right, hand out blankets to people as a winter storm continues to hit the area Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, under the elevated portion of I-45 in downtown Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 39of92KKI Rentals Owner Jay Hunt announces his store is out of propane Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, in South Houston. Two propane suppliers in City of South Houston were out of propane before 3 p.m. The demand of propane was high due to the unusual circumstances. Hunt said he he is not sure when he will receive the next delivery from Baytown.Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 40of92People start to leave after KKI Rentals Owner Jay Hunt announced his store is out of propane Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, in South Houston. Two propane suppliers in City of South Houston were out of propane before 3 p.m. The demand of propane was high due to the unusual circumstances. Hunt said he he is not sure when he will receive the next delivery from Baytown.Yi-Chin Lee/ Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 41of92Issac Blandon loads a propane cylinder into his family's car Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, in South Houston. The family got the last bit of propane in South Houton at KKI Rentals. Two propane suppliers in City of South Houston were out of propane before 3 p.m. The demand of propane was high due to the unusual circumstances. Hunt said he he is not sure when he will receive the next delivery from Baytown.Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Show MoreShow Less 42of92People wait to order food Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, at Ragin' Cajun in Houston.Jon Shapley/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 43of92Vehicles try to exit I-45 north near Beltway 8 after southbound lanes were closed due to icy conditions Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 in Houston. Temperatures stayed below freezing Tuesday and roads remained icy forcing detours on a number of roads throughout the city.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 44of92Alvin DeCuier loads his son Gavin, 1, into a car to leave their apartment Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, at Cuney Homes in Houston. He said their family had been without power since yesterday, and that they all slept in one bed to stay warm last night, as a winter storm hit the Houston area.Jon Shapley/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 45 of92Charles Moore visits his sister Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, at Cuney Homes in Houston.Jon Shapley/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 46 of92Eastbound raffic is diverted off I-10 near Taylor after the freeway was closed due to icy conditions Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 in Houston. Temperatures stayed below freezing Tuesday and roads remained icy forcing detours on a number of roads throughout the city.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 47of92Barriers block the entrance ramp to I-45 north under Beltway 8 after southbound lanes were closed due to icy conditions Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 in Houston. Temperatures stayed below freezing Tuesday and roads remained icy forcing detours on a number of roads throughout the city.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 48of92Few vehicles travel along I-45 north of Houston Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 in Shenandoah. Traffic continued to be light on the roadways as temperatures stayed below freezing Tuesday and roads remained icy. Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 49of92HEB customers leave a store in Spring as they load up on supplies Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 in Spring following a frigid winter storm. Temperatures stayed below freezing Tuesday and roads remained icy forcing detours on a number of roads throughout the city. More cold temperatures and possible freezing rain are forecast the next few days.Brett Coomer/ Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 50of92Grocery carts are lined up to block the entrance and a sign alerts shoppers to modified hours at the H-E-B Plus! February 16, 2021 in Pearland.Steve GonzalesShow More Show Less 51of92Ice covers Robinson Road and traffic continued to be light Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 in Conroe. Temperatures stayed below freezing Tuesday and roads remained icy.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 52of92A snowman wearing a grass skirt and flower lei in a yard Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 in Spring. Temperatures stayed below freezing Tuesday and roads remained icy. Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 53of92Lines form for people trying to get gas at the H-E-B Plus! February 16, 2021 in Pearland.Steve GonzalesShow MoreShow Less 54of92Ava Bocock (l-r), Richard Bocock, Elle Lewis, Catherine Bocock, Claire and Gregory Block stay warm playing in the sunlight of their front window during a power outage in Third Ward Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Houston.Steve Gonzales/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 55of92 Eithan Colindres, left, wears a winter coat inside as he tries to stay warm with Brian Colindres, Tamilin Colindres, Sofia Morazan and Brihana Colindres after their apartment lost power following an overnight snowfall Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 in Spring. Temperatures plunged into the teens Monday with light snow and freezing rain. Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 56of92Kevin Morazan warms his hands after lightning his charcoal grill to cook after losing power due to rolling blackouts following an overnight snowfall Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 in Spring. Temperatures plunged into the teens Monday with light snow and freezing rain. The stove in his apartment is electric.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 57of92 People take advantage of the rare snow and use whatever they can to sled at Buffalo Bayou Park in Houston on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 58of92Velma Williams wears multiple items of clothing to stay warm during a power outage in Third Ward Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Houston.Steve Gonzales /Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 59of92Gregory Block, Catherine Bocock, Richard Bocock, Elle Lewis and Ava Bocock stay warm in a fort they built in their third floor converted attic during a power outage in Third Ward Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Houston.Steve Gonzales/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 60of92Linda Hollins checks on her friend Velma Williams during a power outage in Third Ward Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Houston.Steve Gonzales/Staff photographerShow More Show Less 61of92Icicles hang on a watch for ice on bridge road sign along Cutten Rd. near Bourgeois Rd. Monday, February 15, 2021 in Houston.Melissa Phillip/Houston ChronicleShow MoreShow Less 62of92 Traffic is sparse on the snow-covered I-45 near The Woodlands Parkway following an overnight snowfall Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 in The Woodlands. Temperatures plunged into the teens Monday with light snow and freezing rain.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 63of92Rice University student Belen Szentes becomes airborne after her plastic bin lid stopped while she was sledding on the Miller Outdoor Theatre hill Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Houston.Steve Gonzales /Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 64of92People line up to receive the COVID vaccine at Rice University in Houston on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021. Officials said 1,000 doses of Moderna vaccine issued to the university must be used by 5 p.m. today, but inclement weather has dashed initial rollout plans. As a result, anyone on campus can go to the East Gym and get a dose on a first-come, first-served basis. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 65of92Michael Pence of Tomball fills his truck after filling gas cans at a station along State Highway 249 Monday, February 15, 2021 in Tomball. He said he's having to use a generator after losing power at his home.Melissa Phillip/Houston ChronicleShow MoreShow Less 66of92Zoey Bodkin slides down a hill after snow and ice covered the Greater Houston area, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Kingwood.Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Show MoreShow Less 67of92A fountain along Aldine-Westfield at Bellchase Drive following an overnight snowfall Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 in Spring. Temperatures plunged into the teens Monday with light snow and freezing rain.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 68of92 Snow and ice are seen on homes, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Kingwood. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 69of92Daniel Del Rio, left, and Robert Barrientos try to fix their 18-wheeler that broke down on Interstate 10 eastbound due to the cold weather Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Houston.Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 70of92Tracey Jorgensen of Magnolia clears ice and snow from his windshield after driving along State Highway 249 during the arctic storm Monday, February 15, 2021 in Tomball.Melissa Phillip/Houston ChronicleShow MoreShow Less 71of92 Snow and ice are seen on homes, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Kingwood. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 72of92Fiona (front to back), Enzo and their father David DiPuma enjoy a sled ride on the Miller Outdoor Theatre hill Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Houston. Steve Gonzales/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 73of92Daniel Del Rio tries to fix his 18-wheeler that broke down on Interstate 10 eastbound due to the cold weather Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 74of92Icicles hanging on a Harris County Sheriff's Office vehicle Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Houston.Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 75 of92A snow-covered Katy Freeway is photographed Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Houston.Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 76 of92Vehicles driving on snow-covered Interstate 10 Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Houston.Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 77 of92Toral Shah and her son Zavian, 3, slide down the ramp of a parking garage as a winter storm hits Houston on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, at Carnegie Vanguard High School in Houston.Jon Shapley/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 78of92Homes in the Westbury neighborhood are covered in snow along with the rest of Houston, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Houston.Mark Mulligan/Staff photographer Show MoreShow Less 79of92 Eithan Colindres wears a winter coat inside after the apartment his family lives in lost power following an overnight snowfall Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 in Spring. Temperatures plunged into the teens Monday with light snow and freezing rain. Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 80of92Gabe Navon uses a surf board to sled on the Miller Outdoor Theatre hill Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Houston.Steve Gonzales/Staff photographerShow More Show Less 81of92Rice University students Belen Szentes documents her sled ride on the Miller Outdoor Theatre hill Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Houston.Steve Gonzales/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 82of92 The north entrance of the Hardy Toll Road is blocked after the roadway was closed following an overnight snowfall Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 in Spring. Temperatures plunged into the teens Monday with light snow and freezing rain.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 83of92 The entrance ramp to SH 288 is closed due to slick conditions Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Pearland. Steve Gonzales/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 84of92Jordan Martinez pushes Kendall Banasiak down a snow-covered hill as a winter storm hits Houston on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, at Buffalo Bayou Park in Houston.Jon Shapley/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 85of92 Traffic is sparse on the snow-covered I-45 near The Woodlands Parkway following an overnight snowfall Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 in The Woodlands. Temperatures plunged into the teens Monday with light snow and freezing rain.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 86of92A Home Depot parking lot is covered in snow in the Westbury neighborhood, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Houston.Mark Mulligan/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 87of92West Belfort Street stretches east in the Westbury neighborhood, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Houston. Mark Mulligan/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 88of92People walk around their neighborhood to check out snow Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, at Montrose in Houston.Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 89of92Homes in the Westbury neighborhood are covered in snow along with the rest of Houston, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Houston.Mark Mulligan/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 90of92A man who said 'its too cold to stop' rides his bicycle on Delano near Rosewood Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Houston.Steve Gonzales/Staff photographer Show MoreShow Less 91of92Neighbors play in the snow covered streets in the Westbury neighborhood, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Houston.Mark Mulligan/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 92of92Patrick Minott uses a push broom to scrape snow and ice covered off his vehicles, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Kingwood.Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Show MoreShow Less * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Millions of Texans were without heat and electricity Monday as snow, ice and frigid temperatures caused a catastrophic failure of the state's power grid. The Texas power grid, powered largely by wind and natural gas, is relatively well equipped to handle the state's hot and humid summers when demand for power soars. But unlike blistering summers, the severe winter weather delivered a crippling blow to power production, cutting supplies as the falling temperatures increased demand. Natural gas shortages and frozen wind turbines were already curtailing power output when the Arctic blast began knocking generators offline early Monday morning. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, which is responsible for scheduling power and ensuring the reliability of the electrical network, declared a statewide power generation shortfall emergency and asked electricity delivery companies to reduce load through controlled outages. More than 4 million customers were without power in Texas, including 1.4 million in the Houston area, the worst power crisis in the state in a decade. The forced outages are expected to last at least through part of Tuesday, the state grid manager said. CenterPoint Energy, the regulated utility that delivers electricity to Houston-area homes and provides natural gas service, started rolling blackouts in the Houston region at the order of state power regulators. It said customers experiencing outages should be prepared to be without power at least through Monday. "How long is it going to be? I don't know the answer," said Kenny Mercado, executive vice president at the Houston utility. "The generators are doing everything they can to get back on. But their work takes time and I don't know how long it will take. But for us to move forward, we have got to get generation back onto the grid. That is our primary need." Now Playing: Video: Houston Chronicle Photo Staff Dan Woodfin, ERCOT's senior director of system operations, said the rolling blackouts are taking more power offline for longer periods than ever before. An estimated 34,000 megawatts of power generation -- more than a third of the system's total generating capacity -- had been knocked offline by the extreme winter weather amid soaring demand as residents crank up heating systems. The U.S. Energy Department, in response to an ERCOT request, issued an order late Monday authorizing power plants throughout the state to run at maximum output levels, even if it results in exceeding pollution limits. Ed Hirs, an energy fellow in the Department of Economics at the University of Houston, blamed the failures on the state's deregulated power system, which doesn't provide power generators with the returns needed to invest in maintaining and improving power plants. "The ERCOT grid has collapsed in exactly the same manner as the old Soviet Union," said Hirs. "It limped along on underinvestment and neglect until it finally broke under predictable circumstances. "For more than a decade, generators have not been able to charge what it costs them to produce electricity," said Hirs. "If you don't make a return on your money, how can you keep it up? It's like not taking care of your car. If you don't change the oil and tires, you can't expect your car to be ready to evacuate, let alone get you to work." More for you * Business 5 things you need to know about the outages By Rebecca Carballo * Business Blackouts in Texas as big freeze upends energy markets Brian K. Sullivan, Naureen S. Malik and Javier Blas Woodfin said ERCOT and generators followed best practices for winterization, but the severity of the weather was unprecedented -- "well beyond the design parameters of an extreme Texas winter." The hit to power generation came as frigid weather froze wind turbines and forced outages among natural gas and other power plants. Most of the power knocked offline came from thermal sources, Woodfin said, particularly natural gas. Natural gas supplies for electric generation are already strained in the winter, the peak season for gas used for heating, adding pressure to supplies used to generate electricity. The Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates oil and natural gas in the state, said Monday afternoon that some producers, especially in the Permian Basin and Panhandle, were experiencing unprecedented freezing conditions, causing concern for employee safety and affecting production. As part of its statewide response, the commissioners issued an emergency order on Friday evening to manage shortages of natural gas, requiring gas to first be delivered to residences, hospitals, schools, churches and other locations that meet human needs, then to power plants and then to industrial users. The RRC also issued a notice asking oil and gas operators to monitor and maintain operations as safety permits. ERCOT and utility officials called on Texans to do as much as they can to conserve energy. "Every single watt of savings is one watt that we don't have to go take out at somebody's house," Mercado said. "For those who still have power, whether it is commercial, a school, residential, if they can bring their demand for electricity down, that would help us. That is what we need for the rest of today. I want to emphasize this." With demand high and supplies short, wholesale electricity prices have spiked, and because of the nature of electric power contracts, those increases may be felt by consumers well after the region has thawed. Wholesale electricity sold are near the $9,000-per-megawatt hour maximum in power markets across the state Monday as the system struggled to meet demand, according to ERCOT. The system hit a new record early Monday morning of more than 69,000 megawatt hours, well above the previous winter record of about 66,000 megawatt hours set in 2018. ERCOT entered emergency conditions and initiated rotating outages at 1:25 a.m. Monday. As the regulator calls for reductions in demand, each supplier is responsible for reducing its share of the gap by its share of the market. In the case of CenterPoint, that's about 25 percent, ERCOT's Woodfin said. Oncor, which serves the Dallas area and beyond, is responsible for 36 percent. Rotating outages could be initiated until this weather emergency ends, with Monday and Tuesday mornings at the highest risk periods for rlling blackouts, Mayor Sylvester Turner said. Blackouts could last between 15 minutes and an hour and could happen more than once. "These are not rolling blackouts. We are dealing with system-wide power outages across the state," Turner tweeted at 8:11 a.m. Downed power lines caused by icing could keep some customers in the cold and dark for an extended time. Hirs said Houston residents can expect more power outages in the future. "The year 2011 was a miserable cold snap and there were blackouts," said Hirs. "It happened before and will continue to happen until Texas restructures its electricity market." marcy.deluna@chron.com amanda.drane@chron.com rebecca carballo@chron.com Latest Business News * ERCOT says there's not enough power to end blackouts today * Perry says Texans willing to suffer blackouts to keep feds out of power... * Grid losing as much generation as it's gaining, ERCOT says * What you need to know today about power outages * Tomlinson: Texas built a weak electricity grid and it failed Written By Marcy de Luna Reach Marcy on Marcy de Luna is a business reporter for the Houston Chronicle. Follow her on Twitter @MarcydeLuna and Facebook @MarcydeLuna. Written By Amanda Drane Reach Amanda on Amanda Drane is a reporter for the Houston Chronicle. View Comments Texas Politics Texas Politics 'Mob mentality': Some Texans arrested in Capitol riot cast blame on Trump Several of the two dozen Texans facing criminal charges in the riot claim they were inspired by the president's words and actions, according to charging documents and interviews with their attorneys. By Benjamin Wermund * * * * Return to Top * About + Our Company + Newspaper Delivery Safety Procedures + Privacy Notice + Your California Privacy Rights + Interest Based Ads + Terms of Use + Advertising + Careers * Contact + Subscribe + e-Edition + Archives + Customer Service + Frequently Asked Questions + Newsroom Contacts * HEARST newspapers logo (c)2021 Hearst