AUSTIN, Texas (KLTV) – Gov. Greg Abbott said the state power grid is capable of handling the upcoming winter storm and power demand but there are concerns of local outages due to ice on power lines and fallen trees.
Abbott and other state officials held a news conference Thursday to address preparations for the upcoming winter weather.
Gov. Greg Abbott said the state power grid is capable of handling the upcoming winter storm and power demand but there are concerns of local outages.
Abbott said local power providers have replaced many poles with stronger poles and have increased vegetation management to clear trees and limbs. Texas Public Utility Commission Chairman Thomas Gleeson said the investment in vegetation management over the last five years has been “historic.”
ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas echoed Abbott’s confidence in the grid and said changes in recent years will ensure reliability. He said there are more than 30 power generating facilities that have fuel stored on site if they were to lose access to gas.
Map showing areas covered by ERCOT. Not all of East Texas is included.(ERCOT)
Abbott said he has signed disaster declarations for 134 counties, clearing the way for every possible resource.
The governor said there is an abundant supply of natural gas.
Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), said more than 280 warming centers have opened with more expected. He also warned Texans to keep flammable items away from space heaters and warned of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning for those using generators.
Copyright 2026 KLTV. All rights reserved.