Thread by @wesrap

About an hour away from @GovAbbott press conference updating Texas on power outages and storm response. #txlege #txwx
kxan.com/news/texas/gov…

Press conference starting. Every agency “working around the clock” to bring back power you need & deserve, Abbott says. #txlege #txwx

Abbott says approx 325k Texans without power. None because of lack of generation or ability to generate. All because ice damage and need to manually turn on power for people. #txlege #txwx

#txlege #txwx

Every available repair truck in TX is working to restore power to Texans who still don't have it. #txlege #txwx

TX working on 5 tasks. 1 is using every tool to restore power. Abbott says he's issued waivers to help. Had call with energy providers to ensure more people get power ASAP. #txlege #txwx

2. Need to use every tool possible to get clean water turned back on for Texans. Evaluating waivers & executive orders to speed up that process, Abbott says. #txlege #txwx

3- broken pipes. Abbott says he's requested "major disaster declaration" from President Biden so Texans can apply for help from FEMA if not covered by insurance. #txlege #txwx

4- working on getting help to people who need it. National Guard helping bring people to warming centers, setting up warming centers, delivering supplies, and more, Abbott says. #txlege #txwx

Find a local warming center near you: tdem.texas.gov/warm

#txlege #txwx

Website to find local places to get food-- feedingtexas.org
Red Cross: redcross.org

#txlege #txwx

Step 5- reforming ERCOT. "What happened this week to Texas is absolutely unacceptable and can never be replicated again," Abbott says. ERCOT said 5 days before the storm hit-- CEO assured "we're ready for the cold temperatures coming our way" Abbott says. #txlege #txwx

"ERCOT failed," Gov Abbott says. He's issued executive order adding emergency items to investigate ERCOT.
#txlege #txwx

Gov Abbott issues more emergency items for lawmakers.

1- Mandate winterization of generators in the power system
2- Funding for modernization of those systems

#txlege #txwx

Road conditions are continuing to improve, @chiefkidd of @TDEM says. #txlege #txwx

"We're working with our partners, our private sector partners & FEMA to put additional water in every county in the state of Texas," @TDEM @chiefkidd says.

#txlege #txwx

TX partnering with CA and FL to get water brought in, per @TDEM @chiefkidd. #txlege #txwx

Now-- @TCEQ's Toby Baker. 13 million Texans under boil water notice, he says. #txlege #txwx

Supply chain concerns for grocery stores etc to replenish stocks? Roads more passable means stores & restaurants will be able to get more food available to them, Abbott says. Working w/ local & state agencies to help provide food. #txlege #txwx

TDEM on phone with grocery providers to get supply chain running more smoothly, Chief Kidd says. FEMA possibly standing by to help with read-to-eat meals if needed for some communities, Kidd says.
#txlege #txwx

For plumbers who want to help-- contact the Plumbing Board of Examiners, Abbott says. State is ready for any number of plumbers who wants to help. #txlege #txwx

Abbott: Part of my charge to the legislature is to restructure how ERCOT membership works, like out of state members. #txlege #txwx

On ERCOT saying it was "seconds and minutes" away from TX grid collapsing... Abbott says he wants the state investigations to address whether that's true. #txlege #txwx

To anyone who doesn't have power or water-- Abbott: "the challenges they're dealing with are true human struggles they shouldn't have to face..."
Says what he's outlined today is initial steps to alleviate process moving forward.

#txlege #txwx

On Ted Cruz travel, Abbott says: “Candidly, I haven't been following people's vacation plans.”
Adds he & state emergency mgmt leaders “have been literally working all night since we talked to you guys yesterday.” #txlege #txwx

WATCH FULL COVERAGE: Gov. Abbott outlines his priorities for the state's response to the winter storm, power outages, and plumbing problems.

More: kxan.com/news/texas/gov…
#txlege #txwx