Jackson Tait/staff reporter

On June 1, 2005 in Crosby, Texas one of the largest natural gas explosions in America occurred. 16 years later this is still a problem but in a different way which is the complete failure of the natural gas instead of an explosions.

Because of Texas and their over reliance on natural gas when the snowstorm recently hit, and the natural gas failed the people of Texas were left in -20-degree weather and no way to keep warm.

Since the cold has passed and the damage is done six Directors of grid operator Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) have resigned and one of the board nominees declined a seat while in sharp criticism of their performance.

After the explosion in 2005 ERCOT did not decide to go in a different direction instead of using natural gas. Now the people of Texas wonder if they will try something new this time or just keep using natural gas until the next disaster. Considering that Texas has total control the power in their state it would not take a lot for them to switch to a new energy source ideally, they would use a renewable energy source like wind power.

U.S. Department of Energy secretary Jennifer M. Granholm told CBS news that the crisis in Texas “is one example of what were going to continue to see over and over”

Sources:

Texas grid operator defends handling of state’s massive power outage as sixth director resigns

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm says power crisis in Texas could happen anywhere in the country

Texas largely relies on natural gas for power. It wasn’t ready for the extreme cold.