#TXLEGE: Bob Hall discusses power grid reliability....

"And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut."
Matthew 25:10

[Note: This interview was recorded a week ago.  Due to a long series of technical issues, it's taken a week to get the recording in a form where it could be presented to the public.  Our friend Chris Williams, of Chris Williams audio, was immensely helpful in that process.]

The recent heat wave has seen a spike in stories about Texas' electric grid; given that backdrop, it seemed like a good time to bring in Senator Bob Hall to discuss grid reliability in more...challenging...circumstances:



Highlights:

• Power interruption cost businesses A LOT of money.
• 1 second = $75k for one company.

• Texas' current grid is pretty reliable...in a benign environment.

• In the modern world, electricity is the third most important element to sustain life.

• Lots of bad foreign actors have access to this technology.

• North Korea was caught attempting to smuggle missiles through the Panama Canal in 2013.

• North Korea also has potentially hostile satellites orbiting the U.S.

• Texas spends far more subsidizing wind power than this would cost.

• Israel already does this.

• The technological changes are not particularly complicated.

• We're starting to see action on the federal level.

• Power reliability is a major factor in determining corporate site locations.

• The military would probably move additional assets into Texas if we did this.

• Austin, specifically, has been specifically threatened by North Korea.