San Antonio Citizens Need Reliable Power

In January 2023, the CPS Energy Board, and later the San Antonio City Council, proposed a diversification of power sources that would phase out coal in the Alamo City by 2028.

While power companies continue investing in wind and solar technologies, in addition to exploring other renewables, our most recent experiences confirm that coal power remains vital in keeping our power on.  Between rolling blackouts during Winter Storm Uri in 2021, and the multiple close calls of this last summer during record-hot days, Texas is not ready to close the door on any available power sources.

In October, ERCOT approached CPS and the City of San Antonio about re-activating the shuttered J.T. Deely coal planet.  Closed in 2018, at its peak, Deely could generate about 840 megawatts of power — it takes about 1 megawatt to power 200 Texas homes on a hot summer day.  

While no one argues that the plant, dubbed “Dirty Deely,” contributed to air pollution in San Antonio, we also know that ERCOT looked at bringing it back online only as a stop-gap for a few months this winter.  This would help Texas make it through challenging grid times.

CPS said “no.”

Originally, CPS slated Deely for closure in 2033.  However, due to the approximately $600 million in expenses to install pollution controls, it opted to close the plant early, arguing that San Antonio has enough power for our city.  

They do not say what happens if ERCOT orders the rolling blackouts to reduce stress on the statewide grid.

ERCOT’s leadership has clearly stated it anticipates the bulk of reserve proposals will come from demand-response programs like the ten times this last summer Texans were strongly suggested to conserve power.  

We know Texans can stand the heat.  But, if faced with multiple days of frigid temperatures and snow that an El Niño winter can bring, the prospects of turning down the heat become more complicated, as we saw in 2021.

Rolling blackouts in the snow hit differently than in the summer.

It is commendable that San Antonio wants to pursue clean energy and tackle the air pollution that plagues our city.  It is also essential though, to keep our power to keep Texans safe.  Right now, our city leaders are gambling with this unnecessarily.  Better to answer ERCOT’s call.  

One would’ve thought we learned our lesson in 2021.  Let your local officials know what you think – tell them to “keep the lights on.”