Ex-@PUCTX Chair DeAnn Walker is testifying in Brazos Electric Co-op's bankruptcy proceeding. They just took a break after the the Judge (I think) basically warned Walker to be very careful about what she says next.
They start again at 10:10.
#txlege
txs.uscourts.gov/content/chief-…
They start again at 10:10.
#txlege
txs.uscourts.gov/content/chief-…
I say "I think" because I couldn't tell who was talking but clearly there was an insuation that either PUCT Chair Walker was perjuring herself or admitting to breaking a law or something equally bad...
#txenergy #energytwitter #txlege
#txenergy #energytwitter #txlege
Might have been the Plaintiff's Attorney and not the Judge with the warning...
Attorney to Walker: Why did you go to ERCOT on the 17th?
"The Governor directed me to."
Judge: What exactly did the Governor tell you to do?
Attorney says its perilous to object to a Judge's questions but asserts deliberative process exception and says it has not been waived.
"The Governor directed me to."
Judge: What exactly did the Governor tell you to do?
Attorney says its perilous to object to a Judge's questions but asserts deliberative process exception and says it has not been waived.
Judge says either testify or I'm going to strike the whole testimony.
You're not going to "whipsaw me," the Judge says... you're going to need to make a decission.
Walker's attorney is granted a break
#txlege #txenergy
You're not going to "whipsaw me," the Judge says... you're going to need to make a decission.
Walker's attorney is granted a break
#txlege #txenergy
Judge clarifies he will not strike the whole testimony, says he "should have been more clear" but he would withdraw the question.
Attorney says he's not seeking to withdraw the question.
This is fascinating.
The question is not withdrawn.
Attorney says he's not seeking to withdraw the question.
This is fascinating.
The question is not withdrawn.
She says she does not remember exactly what the Governor told her but it was generally make sure there are no more outages (would've been the 4th day)
She said with those gathered, including Governor's aide if I heard right, they discussed keeping the prices at $9000.
#txlege
She said with those gathered, including Governor's aide if I heard right, they discussed keeping the prices at $9000.
#txlege
Unfortunately the audio is no longer working.
Back on.
Walker does not remember if they discussed whether keeping prices at $9000 was in compliance with the earlier order.
Judge: How did you decide it was in compliance if you didn't discuss it?
Was her own decision, Walker says.
Judge does not look pleased.
Walker does not remember if they discussed whether keeping prices at $9000 was in compliance with the earlier order.
Judge: How did you decide it was in compliance if you didn't discuss it?
Was her own decision, Walker says.
Judge does not look pleased.
Audio is out again.
Walker says Magness made the decision to keep prices at $9000 but Judge jumps in and says didn't you order it?
She sticks by her testiomy and Judge says if that's the case nothing she said makes any sense and it "makes me question your veracity."
Oof.
#txlege
She sticks by her testiomy and Judge says if that's the case nothing she said makes any sense and it "makes me question your veracity."
Oof.
#txlege
Judge to former PUCT Chair DeAnn Walker: I will tell you I am disappointed at your conduct and lack of candor this morning, at your lack of reliability given the position that you held. You are excused as a witness.
Wow.
#energytwitter #txlege
Wow.
#energytwitter #txlege
Woody Rickerson of ERCOT now takes the stand. He is the Vice President of Planning and Weatherization.
#txenergy
#txenergy
Rickerson testifies that on Sat 2/13 he & ERCOT expected 3500MW of outages on 2/15. This is new.
That same day, the Governor, ERCOT CEO, & PUC Chair held a press conference in which the Gov said "we do, as a state, have the ability to ensure we don't run out of power"
#txlege
That same day, the Governor, ERCOT CEO, & PUC Chair held a press conference in which the Gov said "we do, as a state, have the ability to ensure we don't run out of power"
#txlege
Interesting how little grid operators understand demand. Rickerson says 1 MW serves 200 homes. That means 5kW/home. Sure, on average days. But week of Feb 15 homes were probably using 10-15kW or more. 1MW probably served <100 homes. Demand is half the equation. #txlege #txenergy 
I did not hear Magness's testimony but someone who did tells me testified yesterday he told the Governor just before the press conference on 2/13 that there would be outages. It's apparently in Magness's diary. Is that right @byjayroot? #Txlege
There's a lot of discussion of RUCs. Anyone covering/following #txenergy should learn this term: Reliability Unit Commitments (RUCs). ERCOT CEO told the Senate ERCOT is now spending ~$40-50m/ month on them. There's a controversy brewing at the PUC and ERCOT about this (cont)
One of the companies that often gets RUC instructions, Luminant, is upset with the way it's being done and is opposing some of the changes proposed at ERCOT and the PUC. This is worthwhile reading for #energytwitter, #txlege and #txenergy geeks.
ercot.com/files/docs/202…
ercot.com/files/docs/202…
Commissioner D'Andrea is next... after a break. They'll be back at 2:30CT
Should be interesting. Cmsr D'Andrea resigned after this.
#txlege #energytwitter
texasmonthly.com/news-politics/…
Should be interesting. Cmsr D'Andrea resigned after this.
#txlege #energytwitter
texasmonthly.com/news-politics/…
Commissioner D'Andrea now on the stand. ERCOT lawyer questioning him first
#txlege #txenergy
app.gotomeeting.com/?meetingId=606…
#txlege #txenergy
app.gotomeeting.com/?meetingId=606…
They're discussing the order on Feb 15 that set prices at $9000. Judge wants to know why there wasn't more than 10-15 minutes of discussion.
I'm not questioning the order, I'm questioning the process, says the Judge.
How did you make a decision without discussion?
#txlege
I'm not questioning the order, I'm questioning the process, says the Judge.
How did you make a decision without discussion?
#txlege
Cmsr D'Andrea didn't think it was controversial. He thought it was simply necessary because if there's load shed, prices should be at the cap.
Judge is questioning Commissioner D'Andrea about the findings of fact, some of which don't apear to be facts.
Judge is questioning Commissioner D'Andrea about the findings of fact, some of which don't apear to be facts.
Cmsr D'Andrea: I'm not trying to be dishonest
Judge: I'm not sure of that.
A moment later, D'Andrea laughed. And the Judge says was something funny?
Judge to ERCOT lawyer: You need to control your witness and make sure he understand the meaning of an oath.
Wow.
#txlege
Judge: I'm not sure of that.
A moment later, D'Andrea laughed. And the Judge says was something funny?
Judge to ERCOT lawyer: You need to control your witness and make sure he understand the meaning of an oath.
Wow.
#txlege
ERCOT lawyer asked D'Andrea what did you think about the prices still being at $9000MWh on the morning of Feb 18?
"I thought it was a little crazy"
But he says ERCOT told him there was a risk they would go back into outages so he went along.
"I thought it was a little crazy"
But he says ERCOT told him there was a risk they would go back into outages so he went along.
D'Andrea said he knew that ERCOT had Chair DeAnn Walker's "impratur" for keeping the prices at $9000.
ERCOT lawyer: Why not just have a meeting and talk it out?
D'Andrea: We were incredibly busy.
#txlege #txenergy
ERCOT lawyer: Why not just have a meeting and talk it out?
D'Andrea: We were incredibly busy.
#txlege #txenergy
Usual caveat, I'm trying to capture this as best I can and paraphrasing unless in quotes.
Judge asks D'Andrea to show him where in the order it says that after load shed had stopped the price should stay at $9000?
D'Andrea: "I think the essence of this order--"
Judge: "Nope" ... show me where he says.
D'Andrea: "I think the essence of this order--"
Judge: "Nope" ... show me where he says.
D'Andrea points to this: "If customer load is being shed, scarcity is at its maximum, and the market price for the energy needed to serve that laod should also be at its highest."
There's a question as to whether industrials remaining off at request of PUC is load shed.
There's a question as to whether industrials remaining off at request of PUC is load shed.
ERCOT lawyer questioning about re-pricing. Asked if it was a close call...
D'Andrea: "We definitely could have gotten some money back" but says ultimately decided not to bc they weren't sure what all the impacts would be. #txlege also decided not to re-price.
D'Andrea: "We definitely could have gotten some money back" but says ultimately decided not to bc they weren't sure what all the impacts would be. #txlege also decided not to re-price.
D'Andrea was asked when he resigned. Said he couldn't remember but thought late April.
It was actually March 17 though he did stay until a replacement was appointed.
puc.texas.gov/agency/resourc…
They're on a 15 minute break.
It was actually March 17 though he did stay until a replacement was appointed.
puc.texas.gov/agency/resourc…
They're on a 15 minute break.
They're done for the day.
The bankruptcy proceeding is ongoing with Dave Maggio of ERCOT testifying today. A lot of focus on edits made by ERCOT to the Feb 15 order that set prices at $9000MWh and whether it was supposed to be in place only at EEA3, ie, rolling outages.
#txlege
txs.uscourts.gov/content/chief-…
#txlege
txs.uscourts.gov/content/chief-…
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