Public Utility Commission of Texas was host for a workshop recently in Midland for representatives from the oil and gas industry, transmission and distribution utilities in the region, and staff from Electric Reliability Council of Texas. Lori Cobos, PUCT commissioner, said, “Reliable, affordable electricity is essential to powering our state’s growing economy, including the success of oil and gas operations in the Permian Basin.” She said perspectives of workshop participants “were valuable and well received. The PUCT and ERCOT are focused on meeting the power demands of the region to fuel energy operations into the future.”
The 2023 Texas legislature approved a new law (HB 5066) that instructs PUCT and ERCOT to develop an electric reliability plan for the Permian Basin that addresses the transmission needs in the region and additional power generation necessary to meet the demand of the energy industry.
Demand for electricity in Permian Basin is expected to grow in coming years as oil and gas operators increasingly turn to electric power for their equipment to help meet environmental standards.