How to fix the Texas power grid in 5 difficult steps

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The article discusses a proposal to reform the Texas power grid in the wake of the February Freeze and subsequent blackouts. The author suggests abolishing the Texas Railroad Commission and merging its functions with the Texas Public Utilities Commission to create a new Texas Energy Commission. This new commission would focus on integrating the fossil fuel and electricity sectors under one regulatory body, with a balanced selection process for commissioners to avoid political patronage that contributed to the crisis.

Additionally, the author advocates for interconnecting the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) with the national grid to enhance reliability and allow for the sale of excess power. This would involve changing eminent domain laws to facilitate the construction of new transmission lines. The proposal also emphasizes the need for a diverse energy generation mix, including renewable sources, while maintaining some natural gas plants for reliability. Finally, the author calls for a shift in ERCOT's market structure to incentivize energy efficiency and preparedness for emergencies, drawing on successful models from other regions.