Texas natural gas inspectors are not effectively verifying whether production and delivery systems can handle severe winter storms, as identified by a State Auditor's Office report. Following the 2021 Winter Storm Uri, which caused extensive power outages partly due to gas supply disruptions, legislators mandated preparation for extreme winter weather. Inspectors from the Railroad Commission have started assessing gas facilities for winter preparedness. However, the recent audit revealed that gas companies can define their own preparedness criteria, allowing for widespread passing of inspections without ensuring actual readiness, raising concerns about future crisis management in severe weather.
State gas inspectors have not verified that Texas natural gas systems are equipped for severe winter conditions, leading to concerns over winter weatherization standards.
Texas mandates for gas companies to be winter-ready were established due to issues during the Winter Storm Uri, which affected both power and gas supply.
A report indicated that over 30% of power plant failures during Winter Storm Uri were linked to interruptions in natural gas supply, exacerbating electricity shortages.
The Railroad Commission's inspections have shown that gas companies set their own winter preparedness standards, resulting in virtually all passing inspections regardless of actual readiness.
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