People line up to fill their empty propane tanks at a business on the North Freeway Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 in Houston. ERCOT has bolstered the grid for this winter, but the non-profit system operator will struggle to keep up with outside forces. Texas may be adding new generation faster than any other state, but electricity demand is growing even faster.

Power lines are shown near Beltway 8 the Hardy Toll Road following an overnight snowfall Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 in Houston. ERCOT has bolstered the grid for this winter, but the non-profit system operator will struggle to keep up with outside forces. Texas may be adding new generation faster than any other state, but electricity demand is growing even faster.

Near North resident Marilyn Diaz load water into her car ahead of the winter storm Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025 in Houston. ERCOT has bolstered the grid for this winter, but the non-profit system operator will struggle to keep up with outside forces. Texas may be adding new generation faster than any other state, but electricity demand is growing even faster.

Weatherizing a home does more than save on energy costs — it can help prepare a home for when it gets too cold. According to the energy research hub HARC, many Texas homes during the historic February 2021 freeze had improper insulation, which allowed a substantial amount of heat to escape and caused indoor temperatures to quickly drop during the widespread blackouts.

Polar vortex and power failure will forever go together for many Texans.

The first wave of cold weather always makes me wonder whether the Electric Reliability Council of Texas’s power grid is ready for a big freeze. Digging out my winter coat is a reminder to make a plan for when the power goes out again.

ERCOT has bolstered the grid, but the nonprofit system........

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