TCEQ Enforcement Discretion For Texas Generators Begins Today, As ERCOT Anticipates Significant Increase In System Load

ERCOT said in a February 2 market notice that, "ERCOT anticipates a significant increase in system load beginning this evening and lasting until Sunday, February 6, 2022 due to below-freezing temperatures across the region."

"To ensure all possible generation is available to serve system demand, ERCOT has requested that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) exercise its enforcement discretion with respect to generator exceedances of TCEQ air permit limitations. TCEQ has communicated to ERCOT that it will use its enforcement discretion in evaluating generation facility exceedances of emission and operational permit limits in order to maximize generation availability during this period of extreme temperatures. TCEQ’s enforcement discretion will apply beginning at 6 p.m. today, February 2, 2022. Unless TCEQ provides notice otherwise, the period of enforcement discretion will continue until ERCOT issues a Market Notice declaring that the enforcement discretion has ended," ERCOT said in the market notice

The Public Utility Commission of Texas said in a news release that it is closely monitoring the state’s energy grid preparedness and reliability as an arctic cold front and winter weather moves into Texas. "Current forecasts indicate there will be enough power generation statewide to meet the projected electric demand," the PUC said in the release

"The grid is ready, and the lights will stay on for Texans," said PUC Chairman Peter Lake. "Working together with Governor Abbott, the Texas Legislature and ERCOT, we have in place monumental reforms requiring winterization of electric generation and transmission operations and programs that will make more power available more quickly when needed. Also, well before the storm, many generators began securing additional resources to ensure they have the fuel they need to generate electricity regardless of weather conditions."