Before Thomas Gleeson was fully confirmed as chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas on Monday, Sen. Angela Paxton inquired about his top priorities.
Rebuilding Public Trust
Gleeson highlighted reinstilling public faith in the PUC as the primary goal during a Texas Senate Nominations committee meeting. The commission oversees the state’s electric, water, sewer, and telecommunication utilities. It has been working to restore its reputation since Winter Storm Uri in 2021, which claimed at least 246 lives and exposed infrastructure weaknesses. The storm raised concerns about the grid’s reliability and the PUC’s oversight capabilities.
With over 15 years at the PUC, Gleeson was appointed chairman by Gov. Greg Abbott and confirmed by the Senate. As the state’s grid operator, ERCOT, projects peak electricity demand to more than double over five years due to new data centers, restoring trust is vital.
Balancing Reliability and Economic Growth
The PUC acts as a bridge between ensuring reliable power and promoting economic development. State lawmakers are also seeking this balance as major users like crypto mines and data centers expand in Texas. “We want economic growth but must ensure it doesn’t compromise grid reliability,” Gleeson stated.
The second priority is safeguarding ratepayers while developing new infrastructure. The PUC approved plans in April to construct ERCOT’s first extra high voltage transmission lines, addressing the Permian Basin’s power needs. This initiative is part of a larger legislative push to evaluate and improve the state’s transmission and distribution systems.
“The Texas miracle requires investments in all infrastructure,” Gleeson remarked, emphasizing electricity grid investments alongside roads, water, and telecommunications.
The new transmission lines will carry over twice the power of the existing 345-kilovolt lines and cost over $10 billion, about 22% more than a lower voltage upgrade. This decision, according to Matthew Boms of the Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance, aligns ERCOT with future demands.
Repairing Stakeholder Relationships
A third focus is mending relationships fractured after Winter Storm Uri. Gleeson noted trust was lost among stakeholders, including customers and large companies. The PUC faced financial and staffing challenges, with about a third of employees leaving annually.
Regulators now must allow public testimony on agenda items, require generators to explain outages, and improve public communication. Over the past 16 months, Gleeson has engaged with over 70 local communities and businesses relocating to Texas. “Engaging the public is our duty, and we are committed to it,” he stated.
Original Story at insideclimatenews.org