Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) led 22 lawmakers on Monday in urging the Department of Energy to add Texas to the area serviced by the proposed federal power transmission corridor.
The department in May released a list of 10 proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs), which, if implemented, could make federal funds available to expand grid capacity in those areas. But Texas, which relies on the independent Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), was not included in the proposed locations.
“America needs a 21st century power grid [and] “We can’t have a giant Texas-shaped hole in the middle of our 21st century power grid,” Cassar told The Hill in an interview. “The list of previously selected corridors continues to not include Texas, and that needs to change. That’s why we’re asking the Department of Energy to include additional transmission in and out of Texas on the next list.”
The letter was signed by Representative Cassar, as well as Representatives Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Jasmine Crockett, Joaquin Castro, Veronica Escobar, Al Green, and Sheila Jackson Lee, along with Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), Summer Lee (D-PA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Robert Garcia (D-CA), Valerie Foushee (D-CO), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), and Maxwell Frost (D-FL). (DD.C.)
Cassar has long advocated for integrating ERCOT into the national grid and has co-sponsored legislation to that effect with Ocasio-Cortez.
In an interview, he pointed to a recent MIT study that suggests such legislation could have prevented 80% of the power outages caused by the frigid winter weather that hit Texas in 2021.
He cited both that weather and the recent heatwaves that have gripped much of the U.S. as arguments in favor of expanding the power grid.
“Texas is the energy capital of the country. When we have extreme temperatures around Texas, Texas should be able to export energy to reduce blackouts, and when we have extreme heat in Texas, we should be able to import power to avoid blackouts,” he said. “Texas is not in isolation, and by helping each other, we’re all better off.”
