A week before the storm,
Texas begged for help and asked for Department of Energy to lift federal regulations barring state’s energy output.
However, an Emergency Order from the Biden administration’s Department of Energy shows Texas energy grid operator ERCOT was instructed
to stay within green energy standards by purchasing energy from outside the state at a higher cost. This throttled power output throughout the state ahead of the catastrophic polar vortex.
The order shows Acting Energy Secretary David Huizenga did not waive environmental restrictions to allow for maximum energy output. He instead ordered ERCOT to utilize all resources in order to stay within acceptable emissions standards – including purchasing energy from outside the state.