Washington (February 14, 2024) – Today, Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas), Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and 17 other Representatives introduced the Connect the Grid Act, which would require the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to connect to the nation’s major electric grids. By connecting the ERCOT grid, all Texans and Americans would have more reliable electricity, saving lives in future natural disasters. The U.S. would also be better-able to reach its climate goals with Texas’s clean energy production.
“During Winter Storm Uri, more than 10 million Texans lost power and hundreds died as a result — Texans can’t afford inaction. Whether we’re in the middle of a heat wave or a winter storm, we should be able to keep the lights on, especially as the climate crisis gets worse. It’s time for a solution, and that’s why I’m introducing the Connect the Grid Act,” said Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas). “We can draw power from other states when we need it, and sell power when we have a surplus. We can keep the lights on, and make sure that no family is left stranded is a mass power outage again. The federal government has a responsibility to deliver power to the people.”
“No American should be left without power or with skyrocketing prices during extreme weather, but Texans are especially vulnerable to weather-related outages and price hikes because of their grid’s unique exemptions from federal oversight,” said Senator Ed Markey (D-MA). “I support Congressman Casar’s leadership in working to remove this outdated exemption and invest in interregional transfer capacity—something I’ve long advocated for in my CHARGE Act—which will bring more clean power to the people.”
“Three years ago, we saw firsthand how the infrastructure failures in Texas affected the most vulnerable communities, resulting in the deaths of 246 people. I’m proud to join Representative Casar in introducing the Connect the Grid Act to protect Texans from future climate emergencies, all while improving the electrical grid's reliability, saving billions of dollars, and dedicating $13.5 billion to creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs,” said Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). “We need to do everything in our power to ensure a preventable tragedy doesn’t happen again while simultaneously fighting the climate crisis.”
“Three years ago, 245 people, including babies and Seniors across Texas, died because Greg Abbott and his supporters put profits over people during Winter Storm Uri,“ said Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas). “Under Greg Abbott’s watch, the energy capital of the world was left in the dark. People paid the price. That’s why I'm proud to join Congressman Greg Casar as an original cosponsor of the Connect the Grid Act. This bill will improve energy reliability in Texas, save billions of dollars, and allow us to send power to our neighbors in need. It's time for Texas to join the national grid and ensure that while we power America, we keep the lights on at home.”
“Louisianians know better than anyone that storms are staying for longer, coming on stronger, and causing more havoc than ever before. I’m proud to cosponsor the Connect the Grid Act which will revolutionize our power infrastructure and safeguard our communities, economy, and planet,” said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA). “This bill recognizes the vulnerabilities exposed by events like Winter Storm Uri, where millions of Texans were left in darkness, and presents a solution: interconnection. It is an investment in people, communities, and our nation’s future.”
Specifically, the Connect the Grid Act would:
About 90% of the state of Texas’s electricity is run solely through the Texas grid. Because millions of Texans are not interconnected to the national grids, they are susceptible to mass power outages in the extreme cold or extreme heat — when we need reliable energy the most. The remaining 10%, like El Paso in the West and Beaumont in the East, are connected to other grids and did not suffer mass power outages during Winter Storm Uri in 2021.
During Winter Storm Uri:
The state has long refused to connect its grid in an attempt to avoid federal standards and consumer protections.
The bill is co-led by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), and Senator Ed Markey (MA). Original House co-sponsors include Representatives Troy Carter (LA-02), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Al Green (TX-09), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12).
The bill is endorsed by the Center for Biological Diversity, Center for Popular Democracy, Clean Energy Grid Action (CEGA), Chispa Texas, Deeds Not Words, Food & Water Watch, IBEW, IBEW 7th District, Indivisible, League of Conservation Voters, LIUNA - SWLDC, People's Action, PODER, Progress Texas, Public Citizen, San Antonio Alliance of Teachers and Support Personnel (AFT/NEA), Sunrise Movement, Sunrise Movement Austin, Texas AFL-CIO, Texas Campaign for the Environment, Texas Climate Jobs Project, Workers Defense Project, and Working Families Party.
“Chispa Texas welcomes the Connect the Grid Act. For too long our state’s electric grid reliability has not been taken seriously, and the communities left without power due to extreme weather, or even regular weather, are the same communities already dealing with disproportionate environmental impacts due to the fossil fuel industry,” said Chispa Texas Director Elida Castillo. “We are particularly encouraged by the Act’s inclusion of ‘meaningful community involvement,’ which will allow Latino and Black neighborhoods to help shape their energy needs, including putting our comunidades first over large industry consumers and Big Polluters. Congress must quickly and equitably pass the Connect the Grid Act.”
“As a youth-forward organization we are thrilled to endorse the Connect the Grid Act, by prioritizing energy sources and promoting energy efficiency, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society where in times of crisis, such as extreme weather events or natural disasters, a unified grid can enable efficient resource sharing and mutual support,” said Andrea Reyes, executive director of Deeds Not Words. “This interconnectedness not only enhances the resilience of our energy infrastructure but also strengthens social cohesion and collective resilience in the face of adversity for Texas youth.”
“We applaud the members of Congress who are leading the charge to help all communities have access to more reliable, clean affordable power, especially in historically excluded communities of color and communities with low wealth,” said LCV Vice President of Federal Policy Matthew Davis. “Extreme heat and winters have wreaked havoc on Texas’ isolated electric grid, and after last year’s deadly hottest year on record, it’s more important than ever to have reliable, clean energy sources in every community. We urge Congress to pass the Connect the Grid Act, and will work to ensure that people in the most impacted communities are prioritized over polluters in its implementation and the implementation of any other transmission and reliability improvements.”
“As a grassroots environmental justice organization we stand in full support of the Connect the Grid Act,” said Alexia Leclercq, policy director of PODER. “The devastation brought by Winter Storm Uri on our communities serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for interconnectedness and resilience in our energy infrastructure. We need to enhance reliability and stability while forging a path towards a more sustainable and equitable future for all.”
“Simple grid reliability opportunities have been shrugged off by those with the power to safeguard Texans' lives and wallets,” said Kathleen Thompson, executive director at Progress Texas. “With federal intervention, we can put ‘ERCOT emergencies’ in the past.”
“Texas regulators aren't doing residents any favors by continuing to pretend ERCOT can go it alone,” said Kaiba White, climate policy specialist for Public Citizen. “Interconnecting to neighboring electric grids will improve reliability and provide economic opportunity for businesses in Texas and beyond.”
“As the people who actually do the work to generate and deliver power in this state, our members see firsthand how this state's leadership has failed to make the necessary investments and policy choices to provide a strong framework for our grid,” said Rick Levy, president of the Texas AFL-CIO. “This comprehensive solution will provide the reliability needed as well as the necessary investment in a skilled and trained workforce that is critical to delivering affordable, reliable electricity to every person in our state.”
“The Texas grid has proven time and time again to be unreliable, costing Texans’ lives and millions in damages,” Lizeth Chacón, executive director of Workers Defense Project. “Our community has to survive for days without electricity any time we have a winter storm or any other climate disaster. Communities of color are disproportionately impacted by blackouts during the peak summer months. It’s time to act and ensure our communities have access to a reliable grid year-round.”
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