Texans worry power grid can’t withstand extreme heat after previous catastrophic failures

And some experts say the early-season heat could lead to brownouts and blackouts this summer.

“Am I concerned about blackouts this week? No, not really,” said Beth Garza, the former ERCOT IMM chief. “What will become problematic is as we have this long slog day after day of 100-degree temperatures, that will increase the risk.”

Featured Publications

Newsletters, Real Solutions Energy and Environment, Federal Government Affairs, Low-Energy Fridays, Nuclear

Low-Energy Fridays: How do we minimize security risks from uranium enrichment?

Philip Rossetti May 15, 2026

Analysis Banking, Finance and Trade, Interchange Fees, Regulatory Reform, State Policy, Western

Colorado’s New Bill on Interchange Is a Test Case for Unintended Consequences

Caroline Melear May 14, 2026

Analysis, Real Solutions Climate, Energy and Environment

Nature as a Tool: Using Natural Infrastructure to Reduce Extreme Weather Damage

Josiah Neeley May 14, 2026

Analysis Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties, Pretrial, Prosecution, Reentry, State Policy, Western

Learning How to Reduce Recidivism from Hawaiʻi’s Women’s Court

Lisel Petis May 14, 2026

In the News Artificial Intelligence, Technology and Innovation

Have you got a digital twin?

Erica Schoder May 14, 2026 Policy Unstuck

Analysis Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties, Federal Government Affairs, Policing

CORCA Is the Right Start on Organized Retail Crime

Jillian Snider May 13, 2026

In the News Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties, Policing, South, State Policy

Kennedy, Booker reintroduce bipartisan bill to give law enforcement more tools to solve crimes

Jillian Snider May 12, 2026 Press Release Statement – Sen. Kennedy

Newsletters Healthier Communities, Safer Solutions, Substance Regulation, Tobacco Harm Reduction

Safer Solutions: The FDA authorized flavored vapes. Now what?

Chelsea Boyd, Jessica Shortall May 13, 2026

Analysis Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties, Midwest, Policing, State Policy

Closing Ohio’s Justice Gap

Jillian Snider May 12, 2026

Governance, State Policy, Western

A $20,000 model trash can is a showcase of city dysfunction

Steven Greenhut May 6, 2026 The Washington Post