A sample of news releases and articles I have written during my time as Chief Press Officer at the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Media Relations Coordinator for the University of Texas at Austin.

A sample of news articles on electricity in Texas, energy policy, and utility regulation that quote me in my capacity as the media spokesperson for the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

Samples of media monitoring reports and daily news clippings I compiled at UT Austin and a summary of media monitoring work and reporting for ExxonMobil Corporation.

In a landmark decision, the PUCT approved a plan to build the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) region’s first extra high voltage transmission lines to meet the Permian Basin’s rapidly growing power needs.

Utilities that deliver electricity to retail customers in Texas are now required to maintain an online outage tracker that provides detailed information about power outages in both English and Spanish.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas adopted rules that will protect consumers by introducing new requirements for utilities that lease and deploy mobile generation facilities.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas approved the first plan submitted by an electric utility to strengthen the resiliency of its electric systems and facilities and protect Texans against natural disasters and other threats.

A report from energy experts at the University of Texas at Austin reveals several new insights into the February 2021 winter storm power outages and their financial ramifications.

The University of Texas at Austin maintained its recent success in increasing its four-year graduation rate and improved its six-year rate this year, underscoring the long-term benefits of its focus on student success.

The plan outlines transmission investments that will support the on-going electrification of Texas’ oil and gas industry and the growing electricity needs of the region’s communities.

The University of Texas at Austin is the No. 1 school for veterans in Texas, according to U.S. News & World Report, and was recently honored with a gold medal designation from the Texas Veterans Commission.

AARP Texas and the Texas Consumer Association sent an emergency petition to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) this week calling for the PUCT to put a pause on cutting people’s power because of record temperatures.

But the PUCT Chief Press Officer Ellie Breed said a moratorium is already in place.

“The PUCT has rules in place to ensure reliable and continuous electric service during extreme heat and cold. These rules prohibit electric providers from disconnecting service to any customer during extreme weather events,” Breed said.

The Texas Consumer Association filed a complaint Wednesday asking the state utility regulator to deny CenterPoint Energy the ability to continue to pass on the costs of its barely-used mobile generators to ratepayers…

…PUC spokesperson Ellie Breed said in an email that the agency is committed to ensuring consumers pay just and reasonable rates for electricity delivery services. “We will consider the comments from TCA and other stakeholders as we continue to evaluate rules and policy surrounding mobile generation,” she wrote. 

The Texas electrical grid is still vulnerable to severe weather despite safeguards following a deadly February 2021 deep freeze that brought widespread power outages, the Dallas Federal Reserve said on Tuesday…

The state's grid, which the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) operates and the Public Utility Commission (PUC) of Texas oversees, avoided rolling blackouts during severe cold weather last month…

Texas PUC spokesperson Ellie Breed said the grid now needs more on-demand power generation to meet growing demand from the second largest U.S. state, adding that the commission will vote this week on adding power generation and on other grid-related issues.

Two more natural gas power plant projects have been denied loans from Texas’ $5 billion program meant to attract more electricity supply for the state’s primary power grid…

PUC spokesperson Ellie Breed declined to comment on specific applications because they contain “sensitive business information.” 

Fourteen applications (7.3 GW of capacity) continue in the Texas Energy Fund’s due diligence review process. Additional applications are under consideration…

“The PUCT continues to pursue the objectives of all four TEF programs while ensuring a high level of security for taxpayer funds,” she wrote. 

The PUCT said agency rules "prohibit electric providers from disconnecting service to any customer during extreme weather events."

"Moratoriums triggered by extreme weather conditions that prohibit service disconnections are currently in place in counties across the state and will continue in effect as extreme conditions warrant," PUC chief press officer Ellie Breed said.

Additionally, agency rules mandate that retail electric providers offer deferred payments upon request on bills that become due during extreme weather events.

"If someone is experiencing financial challenges related to higher-than-normal energy bills, they should contact their provider and call 211 for information on assistance or resources available to them in their area," Breed said.

Last year, Texas officials announced that the developers of 17 energy projects would be eligible to receive low-interest, state-backed loans to add enough new gas plants to the state’s main electric grid to power nearly 2.5 million homes. But since then, seven have withdrawn or been ruled ineligible for the so-called Texas Energy Fund, as has a replacement project, with reasons ranging from financing to supply chain trouble…

The Texas Energy Fund was created by state legislators and approved by voters in 2023 as part of a push to install more dispatchable generation — the type that can be turned on or off — at a time when low prices and regulatory ease meant renewable energy — power that isn’t always available — was flooding the market. The state set aside $5 billion to give low-interest loans to gas plant developers and saw $39 billion worth of demand…

Regulators aren’t slowing down their gas push. A PUCT spokesperson said that the body is still reviewing 14 applications for the Texas Energy Fund, totaling 8,100 MW of new generation on the grid. Additional loan applications are also under consideration to backfill those no longer in the program.

“The PUCT remains focused on ensuring the appropriate use of all taxpayer funds while meeting the objectives” of the TEF programs, said spokesperson Ellie Breed.