But rather than shuttling money into strengthening its grid to make sure the lights and A/C stay on during increasingly extreme weather, Texas is pouring billions of taxpayer dollars into new natural gas-fired power plants. Adding more electricity to the grid isn’t necessarily a bad thing because the state is facing higher demand, said Texas energy expert Doug Lewin, founder of consulting firm Stoic Energy. The state prioritizes natural gas power plants or backup natural gas generator systems. Centerpoint and other Texas utilities are no stranger to extreme weather. “In addition to extreme weather, the company’s service area also experiences heavy precipitation and extreme temperatures,” the company wrote in the report.

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Persons: Beryl, Doug Lewin, ” Lewin, it’s, Texas Republicans ’, ” Michael Webber, Centerpoint, Joshua Rhodes, ” Rhodes, Rhodes, It’s, haven’t, doesn’t, ”, Alison Silverstein, Microgrids, Lewin, “ We’ve, “ That’s Organizations: CNN, Houston, Energy, Texas Republicans, University of Texas, Centerpoint Energy, UT Austin, Texas Public Service Commission Locations: Houston, Texas, Austin, “