Federal Lawmakers Push to Connect Texas Power Grid to Nation
Another effort is underway in Congress to force Texas to join the nation’s major electric grids, targeting the state’s largely independent system operated by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).
Three members of Congress recently reintroduced the Connect the Grid Act, which would require ERCOT to connect to other U.S. power grids. While the bill does not specify which grid, it could involve the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), which manages electricity transmission across Oklahoma and more than a dozen other states.
Lawmakers Cite Reliability and Cost Concerns
Democrats in Washington introduced the measure, including U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. They argue that connecting ERCOT to a broader grid would improve electric grid reliability, reduce power outages, and lower electricity costs during extreme weather events.
“Year after year, families are left with power disruptions and skyrocketing bills from extreme weather disasters. By creating new connections between regions of the grid, we can reduce both weather-related outages and price hikes — especially in Texas,” said Senator Ed Markey.
He added that Texas’ exemption from federal grid oversight should be removed, saying it would save lives, lower costs, and expand access to clean energy.
Winter Storm Uri Still Drives Policy Debate
The push comes years after Winter Storm Uri in 2021, which caused widespread outages across Texas and Oklahoma and resulted in hundreds of deaths in Texas when power systems failed.
“It’s been five years since Winter Storm Uri, where more than 10 million Texans lost power and hundreds died as a result of a failed electric grid. The federal government has a responsibility to save lives during natural disasters. We will continue this fight until Texans have reliable power — that’s why I’m reintroducing the Connect the Grid Act,” said Congressman Greg Casar.
ERCOT Isolation Highlighted During Past Outages
Nearly 90% of Texas receives its electricity from ERCOT, which operates largely independent from federal oversight. However, some regions—such as El Paso and Beaumont—are connected to other grids, including the SPP, and did not experience the same level of outages during the 2021 storm.
Supporters of the legislation say those differences highlight the benefits of grid interconnection and regional energy sharing.
Key Provisions of the Connect the Grid Act
The Connect the Grid Act would:
- Require interconnection between ERCOT and neighboring grids
- Place ERCOT under Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) oversight for pricing and transmission planning
- Require FERC and the Department of Energy (DOE) to study potential interconnection benefits with Mexico
The bill has drawn support from multiple lawmakers and a wide range of advocacy groups focused on energy policy, grid reliability, and consumer protections.
The proposal underscores an ongoing national debate over how to modernize the U.S. electric grid infrastructure while balancing state independence, federal oversight, and the growing demand for reliable and resilient power systems.