Thread by @GregCasar

THREAD:⚡ Power outages ⚡

Neighborhoods across the city are experiencing power outages right now, and have been for many hours.

2/ We all need answers about when power will be restored. @austinenergy (AE) states they’re hoping to get more info @ 10:30am from @ERCOT_ISO (they run the show for the power grid in Texas). We need more info from AE as soon as possible after that.

3/ I also have asked for AE to clearly explain why these blackouts have not been “rolling” from one area to the next. We need more transparency for everyone about what is going on.

4/ Since this statewide disaster could result in cont. long outages, we have tasked @AustinHSEM for plans on how to make sure people are safe. This is especially dangerous for those with medicine they need to keep in the fridge, folks with poor insulation in their homes, & others

5/ We've also tasked emergency operations to ensure 24/7 warm shelter for those who need it, emergency transportation for those who need help, etc. The City and County must step up right now.

6/ If your power is currently out:
🧤 Layer up!
❄️ Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.
♨️ Do NOT use a gas stove and ovens to heat your home.
🔌 Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges.

7/ If your power is currently out (cont.):
🚪 Close windows and put blankets under doors to avoid heat loss.
📱 Keep your phone as charged as possible.
⚡ Track your outage through the Austin Energy website, if possible.
➡️ If safe, go to an alternate location for heat.

8/ Stay safe, stay off the road, unplug non essentials if you have power, and follow @austinenergy and @AustinHSEM for the latest.

reminder: the driver of the earlier smaller local outages was usually trees icing over & hitting power lines. The larger outages are newer & required by the statewide grid operator because of high demand for energy while power plants and wind turbines shut down by severe weather

To be clear: @ERCOT_ISO confirms that the main form of energy loss has been thermal plants shutting down (gas plants, coal plants, nuclear plants), with some loss of wind as well.

*** UPDATE ***
I was just on the ERCOT informational call and then in discussion with the Mayor. This is what I have gathered:

1) I would not call these “rolling blackouts.” These outages are not "rolling" from one part of the city to another, because basically *all* of the circuits that @austinenergy thinks they can turn off at this time are currently turned off.

That is, there are not ‘groups’ that are being turned off and on. AE has turned everything off they think they can right now, because of the statewide requirements.

Some places still have power because the circuits are a) shared circuits that contain critical infrastructure like a hospital or 911 call center, or b) the circuit can't feasibly be all turned off without risk to the system of not turning back on.

2) This means that these power outages, which are being required by the statewide grid operator @ERCOT, could go on for a good while longer. How long? No answers from authorities yet, but it could potentially even go overnight.

There are power plants that have shut down all over the state, and the sooner they get back online and that we conserve enough energy, then hopefully they can turn it back on. We hope things get better soon, but we must individually and collectively plan for longer-term outages.

3) We need a massive emergency response in case this persists longer. An early afternoon press event is being planned. The city and county must step up to take care of everyone in this disaster event.