Announcing: Reading and Podcast Picks

Welcome to our first edition of Reading and Podcast Picks, where we share articles and podcasts that will keep you informed, engaged, and inspired

We’re thrilled to unveil a new addition to the Texas Energy and Power Newsletter: Reading and Podcast Picks. Given that news on the grid, energy, and climate change seems to be growing even faster than industrial demand, my goal is for this digest to provide subscribers with a reliable, curated source of information.

Each edition will handpick timely articles and podcasts from reputable sources. From concise news briefs covering the latest developments to in-depth explorations of regulations, technologies, and innovations, we've got you covered. Whether you're a seasoned industry professional or an aspiring energy enthusiast, this digest will keep you informed and ready to engage in the conversation shaping our energy landscape.

We also want to hear from you. What are you reading or listening to? Let us know in the comments what articles, podcasts, and news stood out to you this week. 

This first half of this digest is free for all subscribers, but the second half is for paid subscribers only. You can update your subscription using the button below or via this link.

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The EPA’s Carbon Crackdown is Finally Here - Shift Key Podcast

As mentioned in the latest Texas Grid Roundup, the EPA announced a series of new rules regarding coal and natural gas plants, enacting new emission and other waste product standards. This episode of Shift Key not only overviews what these new regulations are, but also provides legal, historical, and political context to why the rules are structured the way they are. 

What the Bleep Is Going On With Texas Home Insurance? - TexasMonthly

Last month, we wrote in the Texas Grid Roundup about the Interim Charges sent to the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce from the Lieutenant Governor. One of these charges is addressing the skyrocketing cost of home insurance – which this article examines in-depth. The article includes a quote from Public Insurance Counsel David Bolduc on whether he sees these rates as connected to increasing extreme weather events and climate change. Unfortunately Bolduc’s non-answer on this mirrors the Lieutenant Governor’s interim charge on the issue, essentially ignoring the indisputable connection between climate change and the rising cost of home insurance.

More frequent – and worsening – extreme weather events are ahead for Texas - Texas Standard

Speaking of extreme weather, Texas’s state climatologist and Texas 2036 just released an updated report detailing a concerning look at Texas’s future and the likelihood of increased frequency and worsening of weather events, including heat waves, flooding, drought, and wildfires. The Standard interviewed the state climatologist, John Nielsen-Gammon, on his findings. You can read the full report here. 

Texas power prices signal grid stress in another long, hot summer - Dallas Morning News

And unfortunately with increasing heat waves comes increased demand for power and with that, higher prices. The Bloomberg Wire reports, with this summer expected to be another scorcher, power prices for August are already soaring above standard rate. 

The Drowning South: Where Seas are Rising at Alarming Speed - The Washington Post

Of course, extreme weather doesn’t just mean heat. In Texas, and throughout the Southeast, rising sea levels are wreaking havoc on communities. This Post article illustrates the experience of three communities in the Southeast, while also providing broader context to this issue impacting coastal communities throughout the world, while emphasizing how the Gulf Coast region is especially affected.