Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumTexas power plants have no responsibility to provide electricity in emergencies, judges rule
Texas power plants have no responsibility to provide electricity in emergencies, judges rule
https://www.kut.org/energy-environment/2023-12-15/texas-power-plants-have-no-responsibility-to-provide-electricity-in-emergencies-judges-rule
KUT 90.5 | By Mose Buchele
Published December 15, 2023 at 3:39 PM CST
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Ice on trees and power lines in south Austin during a winter storm on Feb. 18, 2021.
Gabriel C. Pérez / KUT
The decision now leaves the families of those who died during the 2021 blackout unsure where next to seek justice.
Almost three years since the deadly Texas blackout of 2021, a panel of judges from the First Court of Appeals in Houston has ruled that big power companies cannot be held liable for failure to provide electricity during the crisis. The reason is Texas deregulated energy market.
The decision seems likely to protect the companies from lawsuits filed against them after the blackout. It leaves the families of those who died unsure where next to seek justice.
In February of 2021, a massive cold front descended on Texas, bringing days of ice and snow. The weather increased energy demand and reduced supply by freezing up power generators and the states natural gas supply chain. This led to a blackout that left millions of Texans without energy for nearly a week.
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snowybirdie
(5,627 posts)Texas?
AllaN01Bear
(23,039 posts)Firestorm49
(4,195 posts)If for no other reason, a utility entrusted to provide the necessities of daily life should be held accountable, but throw that all out the window because were talking about Republicans here, and as we all know very well, they dont give a fuck about anything other than money and power. Giving Texas utilities a get out of jail card is a travesty.
JohnnyRingo
(19,309 posts)....is that the electric plants are not a public utility.
That it's a private service that we're lucky to have and is for some reason not a monopoly. They should be forced to liquidate and restructure under government control.
young_at_heart
(3,852 posts)Money before people!
Baitball Blogger
(48,026 posts)Wonder Why
(4,589 posts)After all, who needs morality,ethics or common decency? The Supreme Court members have clearly demonstrated that they don't. Let greed go unabated. Squeeze the suckers until they squeal. It's the American way.