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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is calling for an investigation into the group that manages the state's power grid. 'Far too many Texans are without power and heat for their homes as our state faces freezing temperatures,' he said. 'This is unacceptable.'

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SaraBareilles Yes, let's slam the barn door after the horses have bolted. Governor Abbott. You don't need an investigation to see the privatization of essential services is a failure. Power grids, Prisons, Nursing homes There's no regard for basic human needs when profit's the objective.

You mean the people his administration hired

To find the problem he needs to look in the mirror not connected to the grid for political reasons

I heard that Antifa is responsible...

Calling for an investigation immediately makes it look like you have to go far to find the answers. I suspect in this case, you don’t.

We had like 60 straight days of 100 degree+ weather several years ago - you KNOW everyone's a/c was on and cranking all day, every day - and we didn't run into this problem? Explain that to me.

Too little too late. This failure is epic! It's as if the State government has been sitting on their hands doing nothing for four years! Texas, how do you excuse this epic failure? Hillary's fault?

Too little, too fucking late.

Oh really? NOW?! Now he wants to investigate? It’s like maybe there should have been some sense of regulations

Republican mandate for deregulation has been running Texas since 1995. Natural gas companies aren't required to insulate equipment for it to actually work in winter. On top of people being told to go to 'warming centers' they suffer the cold & have to pay inflated utility rates.

Let's play the blame game. Way to go!

And we’re one of them. Zip code 75052 in a neighborhood without power for 58 hours and counting and no one seems to care.

Less wall, more brain power!

So looking for someone else to blame. How republican of him.

So he’s calling his rich friends for lunch?

You're the governor Bozo 🤡 Abbott, you've been in rich oils pocket since you were AG, stand up and help the people and quit making excuses!

Here's the biggest part of the problem. Try getting a new governor one that isn't a GOP suckass

Abbott has been missing in action as he called for FED help and then blames everyone but the actual industry that failed to be prepared - oil / gas. We now have a GOV who refuses to comprehend changes in climate. RESIGN

when 10% of the Texas grid is green, it’s completely independent of other states so it can’t share power, the cooling pond froze at the nuclear plant causing it to shut down and it’s a “for profit” infrastructure that hasn’t been upgraded properly in years.

Capitalism's a bitch Texas

I’m pretty sure Mr. Abbott has power and all other necessities. I never had any rolling power now no water. What damn investigation? You have the power to tell them to flip the switch.

START WITH TED CRUZ AND JOSH HALEY AND THROW LINDSEY GRAHAM AND MARK RUBIO IN THE MIX.BLAME ALL THE RICH REPUBLICANS IN TEXAS.

Maybe GregAbbott_TX should focus on getting power back to his state instead of being on seanhannity deflecting blame for his own parties responsibility for this whole mess.

It's that Dollar Store mentality managing the power grid.

Sweden for the win

NOVEMBER 8 2022. It is closer than you think.

Is the governor without heat?

How many single wide morons laughing shouting 'see theres no global warming ' LMFAO

That's socialism..

Isnt that him? And right after DeSantis is going to look into who is fudging up all the vaccine distributions!

Would this group consist of his Republican buddies and donors? I look forward to this completely impartial report

Welcome to privatization of a grid.

Too little too late Governor.

Two days without power. I’m gonna need the real f*%ing explanation, not this cover story about winterizing BS.

I see texas turning blue in 2024

BuT tHe WiNdMiLlS!!

That’s what they get for voting for Tump.

Oh no, what happened to Republican trust it the markets? Sounds like 'socialist' government intervention - the markets decided you don't need infrastructure that can survive extreme cold and low prices were more important than resilience, who are you to question that Gov Abbott?

🤷‍♀️

Blame someone and cover it up.

I see he’s employing the time honored, GOP maneuver known as “passing the buck.”

Uhm, ice makes wires fall down 🥸 just ask any state that gets freezing rain (Oregon)

Same GOP that has denied the science of wearing masks, supported Trump and Q-nonsense are the same GOP who did not prepare for this catastrophic weather event. This disaster could have been prevented. “Freedom” from government is all good and well until you freeze to death. SMH.

Nan10 Maybe Gov. Abbott and Ted Cruz should pay for the cost of the energy increase!! After all, their buddy Trump gave tax breaks to the wealthy!!

These guys sound like oil men!

People are dying in Texas because he doesn't care. RecallAbbott

SaraBareilles Government accountability seems to be lacking everywhere. My state lost 600 million in Employment Security to Fraud, the chaos caused 1,000's to not receive their needed checks for over 6 months. Our director was just named to a federal post overseeing this for all states. WTF

GregAbbott does not wear the Robin Hood hat well, at least from a texaspoweroutage purrspective.

Ew these comments and people in northern states saying “TX is a red state and red state bad,” fuck you. Inadequate preparation is not the fault of the citizens be they Republican or Democrat. Stfu. Next time it gets above 90 degrees in your state, don’t bitch about it.

Spare me. You all decided to privatize energy in an effort to capitalize on draining money from your citizens. Now your citizens are freezing 🥶...

I can save him and the citizens of Texas a great deal of time...

The absolute gall.

But then he goes on fox news and lies about power resources in Texas.

Surprise, Governor. It's like you weren't ready for bad stuff. What's your job again? Tweeting?

Enjoy! California has power cut all the time due to fire!

Just go out and rake the streets!

Who's gonna tell TuckerCarlson Quixote? He's still out there charging at those 'silly fashion accessories' that are killing people in the texaswinterstorm

It’s GovAbbott people that manage the power grid..

Probably Antifa, I'd bet.

I believe they were told to winterize but chose not to. Not much of a mystery here.

Get on the national grid and stop avoiding federal regulations. Winterize the turbines. GregAbbott_TX

WHILE HE LIES TO HIS CONSTITUENTS.

Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) HellFrozeOver

It was Antifa, right? Is that what Abbot's gonna blame for his own stupid greedy malfuckery? Can't wait! 25 years of which party running Texas? You gonna try and blame Ann Richards? Gonna be fun. AbbottResign

Bonnievee21 When politicians call for “investigations” for horrendous shit that happened on their watch that usually means they’ve fucked up big time and are looking for cover.

That would be the Republican Party. The GOP is The Party of Death.

darcwood Does he need a mirror? The put profits above people. Our daughter is now spending her second night with a baby in her car to have heat. 46 hours with no power now!

Dont ask Joe for help you Jacka**

SaraBareilles Check in the mirror

SaraBareilles Hmmmm..maybe regulation isn't that bad an idea...

DC current is inefficient.

That's one way to deflect the attention from his own incompetence. GregAbbott_TX

Hummmm. Always suspected TX had their own grid so they could secede. Can we get an ah ha!

This is like O. J. looking for the real killer....

Oh puh-leeze. This is yet another GregAbbott failure. One after another after another. CorruptGOP

GREED!

abbott investigating ercot

Oh does that mean he now might want government regulations

While people die, Abbot lies about wind power.

Does he ever actually do any work? He's the Susan Collins of Texas.

Really?

The buck stops with .... that guy over there! (Abbott leaves when you look to see what he pointed at) GregAbbott_TX thisaintleadership pathetic

He can turn that finger right around. He’s been governor for 6 years. This isn’t the failing of an agency - it’s failure an entire legislative agenda. Cultural wars before actual governance. This is what you get.

Remember Enron? I guess it never stopped.

Lane61S GregAbbott_TX should’ve investigated for mishandling of the energy grid.

This is what happens when either the power grid is privatized or the regulatory agencies (and the politicians who oversee them) are more concerned with profits over the welfare of the people. Deflecting doesn't absolve Gov. Abbott.

GovAbbott perhaps if you were focused on your own state’s affairs instead of pushing lies about the election your constituents wouldn’t be freezing their A** off.

I have a strong distaste for politics. When the problem is still unfolding and people are still sorting solutions, predatory groups of all political affiliations seem to attack and only distract from the job at hand, which is to save lives. Let's get the job done and then judge

TX Gov: start with your own office

Primary trials for nationwide power grid failure, perhaps?

An investigation will reveal shortcuts and profit seeking from the fossil fuel politicians in TX.

Surely Cruz will save them

Look no further than the trumplican party

DanCrenshawTX tedcruz

So an investigation into himself and the Texas GOP right?

This mofo knows he’s a shareholder!

I thought we had infrastructure week for the last 4 years? Wha happen?

GregAbbott should go look in the mirror and have that person arrested!

And after the investigation they concluded that well it’s the governor’s fault because he’s the one in charge

Green energy, can’t handle it.

Pandering, plain and simple.

Maybe they should try raking their snow?

I call for an investigation of Gov. Greg Abbott. It’s his responsibility to keep up with these things. Totally unprepared. AbbottFailedTexas

Try investigating GovAbbott for helping to deregulate the energy market

So. He’s going to lock himself in his office, do a full investigation of himself and write up a report on his incompetence?

Too little too late buddy!

Well that’s going to help us out dick weed

LOL! Is he going to be investigating himself?

Wouldn’t he be investigating himself then lol

Something not right here. There’s definitely a money grab going on as they announce increasing rates while no one has power.

I'm sure he's going to blame the Biden Administration.🙄

Didn't he believe in the Green b.s. Deal?

Texas is a mess under republican leadership.

ITs his fault for not putting us on the national grid. This could of been avoided. BetoForGovernor

How about you better prepare your state?

Deregulation is so dumb. Could not believe when you sign up for electricity in TX you have 100 companies to pick from! TX electric fails with too much air conditioning & furnace use. Iowa has MidAmerica. Great service that hardly ever fails.

Doesn't the Texas legislature regulate the Texas power grid or do they not do that either?

Well, no shit Greg.

Certain that group contribute heavily to Texas political leadership. Gov is just throwing them on the bus to deflect from their own incompetence And corruption

It doesn't require an investigation to determine why Texas is experiencing rolling blackouts. All it takes is for Texas to get some leaders who will invest in the state's infrastructure and connect it's grid to the others. Like power?😉

I thought Ted Cruz was on top of this.

So, de- regulation of power companies isn't a good thing?

40 hours without power. Investigate after the power is back on. I’ll help.

Governor Abbott. I am in Dallas without power again. I live in a high rise on Turtle Creek. I am looking directly into 2 office towers with NO people there! Can you please tell me how those buildings are more important than the 149 homes in my building? People are sick&scared!

ken lay

An investigation in to why power outage and rolling blackouts are necessary is worthwhile but first work with ERCOT to provide all necessary resources to restore power to all Texans ASAP. Rolling power outages are normal when there is demand & capacity mismatch.

The governor probably fired the engineers that showed them the winterized system would serve the state safely. Now they'll fire the ones they replaced them with. Voters should fire the governor who ignored the warnings of bad winters' havoc.

How about you Texans going ahead and succeed like your Republican State Run House and Senate wants to do.

So the corrupt Governor has asked for an investigation of the corrupt bureaucrats in an effort to find more corruption that might enable him to cover his own.

Go help your neighbor's Texans show the rest of the country how it's done

GlobalWarming

'When you point one finger, there are three fingers pointing back to you.'

Yeah, and he published his emergency plan in advance of this well predicted arctic blast. Right? Right?

I love to read NPR subscribers tweets. The unity and compassion crowd is so good at taking human suffering and turning it political.

Hint: They are Republicans.

Ummm Abbott, you do know it’s YOUR State agencies managing your private grids because you didn’t want to have to follow federal guidelines? Duh.

What, doesn’t the buck stop with the TX Republican Governor? I guess it’s only Democratic governors that Republicans think are to be held accountable

Am I the only one who is waiting to hear the Gov say it didn’t snow-that it was fake news?

Let me guess. The 'group' consists of incompetent and unqualified relatives of the Texas Republican Party cabal.

All GovAbbott has to do is investigate himself and his GOP legislators who wanted to go it alone. 🤷‍♀️

Hey GregAbbott_TX when you and Texas succeed from the Union you can build your new grid

It’s like living in a third world country. These rolling blackouts are ridiculous. My lights are out, but the parking lot lights at the apartment complex across the street are glowing brightly. I plan all my activities for each light cycle in advance. Is this really 2021 in TX?

In a capitalistic world, there is a trade offs; profit or safety? To ensure the power grid would survive a 100 year event without disruption would have cut into profits. I guess you get what you pay for, not unlike California power grid issues.

Love that green energy

Taking no accountability, Abbott does a 'Trump' (deflects blame). FollowTheMoney

I guess since Texas privatized their grid, a prolonged 'investigation' is the only thing they can do to look like they are doing something.

How about working with them to fix things

Many neighborhoods have been without power for almost two days except for 3 2 hour periods while some have not gone out at all. This is dangerous and irresponsible. The power companies shouldn’t be allowed to maximize billing profit and should have to pay for lodging.

GovAbbott Unacceptable not to have the necessary infrastructure to deliver full power to everyone in Texas. Sounds like theyve been getting by with the bare minimum. We've been hearing about conserving energy for the past 50 years or longer. Rolling blackouts is unacceptable.

I hope they find out why the power generation facilities couldn't bother to winterize their plants to avoid just this scenario. Oh wait...it's the almighty $ for big investors.

Wait, I thought Texas was so much better than states like California. Can't tell you how many times I've listened to people criticize CA energy and how much better TX and other places are.

Reading all these tweets, everyone is an expert on why this happened.. 😂😩

Rick Perry, Ted Cruz Greg Abbott. TELL THEM TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR!

He knows how this happened. It's called deregulation. An agency with no teeth is how this happens.

Same playbook as pandemic (lack of) response.

Sounds like they should secede from themselves.

I bet the 'group' is affiliated with and/or a large campaign donor. Bets

Ted Cruz country...

Asshole. Mother Nature ALWAYS call the shots.

How funny Texas republicans like to brag they're oil independent yet failed miserably at keeping Texas warm.

Well didn't you have a meeting as Governor to see if the state was prepared? You are The Governor. Or maybe our 2 Senators sat in on that meeting.

Ercot board is appointed by the governor. The PUC and legislature have oversight over ercot. The state sets the policy and enacts legislation and regulations. But the state has no responsibility?

Hey Texans, you know an electric car could theoretically power your home during a power outage?

I thought Texans were better then passing the blame. GovAbbott is I weasel dick.

We really need to upgrade our power grid in the US

Maybe the Texas GovAbbott should have raked the forest.

Our infrastructure nationwide is, for the most part, non-resilient, outdated and crumbling...an embarrassment really

Big win for capitalism

Sounds like incompetence by a republican lead state to me. Now they are begging Joe for help. And as usual, the dem helps all states unlike the traitor before.

Has GregAbbott_TX tried asking his biggest donors and fellow traitors why they’ve failed?

StanFinger you seen this my friend in Austin hasn't had power for over 30 hours i wonder how something like this could happen

yes GregAbbott_TX you are unacceptable

Mail it there best governor ever...maybe you should run your state...better!

13% of the world population still doesn't have electricity... be thankful it's coming back.

Follow the money. Texas grid and providers are a mystery unless you like antiques.

Republicans the re-active party.

It sounds like he’s headed towards socialist regulations.

🤦

So, the governor of Texas isn’t aware of the flaws in the infrastructure of the state’s electrical grid?

Vote for deregulation and you get deregulation

Ha! All those need folks moving in just brought all their unaccountable negative energy. Enjoy the unaccountable!

Throw a few bucks in to his coffers he will forget all about. What

I am sure Hillary had a hand in it.😉❄❄❄

Global warming rears its ugly head!

GregAbbott He's the governor, right ? Maybe he should take responsibility for this shit show

Well, you know.... Texas.

There is no climate change so why spend money to improve the infrastructure?

The ol' pass the buck routine. Classy

Did he say that without laughing?

Let the arse covering begin...

HUH! Socialism whenever needed but sadly berated other times. 🤔

My prediction: a committee will be formed, solutions will be deemed too expensive, nothing gets accomplished.

Unacceptable huh? Then why did you allow the state to separate from the national grid?

Call me unimpressed. Cold, and unimpressed.

Remember when Trump2024 & the Republicans were successful to have infrastructure week but did nothing. Texas VoteBlue

'Don't mess with Texas.' Hell, Texas is a mess. As I sit here by my cozy fire...

It's all a hoax only a small percentage of people die due to lack of heat , infact jackets and heaters dont really work at all everyone should be going out right now if not the economy will die .

Ghost of Enron

Where is the emergency plan?

AuntieAutocorr1 What he’s doing is for show. He really don’t give a damn.

The Governor's performance is unacceptable.

I just hope that it doesn’t affect the electric chair because Texas will be very upset about that

As a friend said, maybe TX should ask to have those Jewish space lasers refocused.

Princessleia707 Uh GregAbbott_TX you appointed all of them and are responsible for this. They take direction from you. Quit trying to shift blame. You had them not prepare for cold weather. This is on you.

I think a better use of tax payer money would be to investigate how the governor of the state failed!

Is the governor cold? Or toasty and comfortable?

This is how you designed it. If you don't build resilient systems and count of fossil fuels to do all the work, it happens. Trying regulations that require energy efficient homes and solar banks. Oh yeah, that would take thought.

He should be looking in the mirror for the culprit. State legislatures have been ignoring crumbling infrastructure for years now 🤷‍♂️

elonmusk created a reusable spaceship. What years are we all representing?

deregulation? poor tax base?

Oh no a private company doing a poor job for the public for profit because of no oversight or regulation!

Play the game of session and win stupid prizes...

Monopoly

I’m calling BS on Abbott. He only needs to look in a mirror.

We're all trying to find the guys responsible for this!!

Rick Perry was Gov once. Was energy Sec for DT. Don't you think he should have had his own state be able to manage this better?

Investigate him

An investigation is great but how about figuring out what to do to fix this now?!

I thought deregulation and weak governmental institutions were Texas political values.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 why is it people always looking for someone to blame. It's snow and ice DUMBASS it plays havoc in the grid nothing can be done about it. Live with it or bury every single power line and pay the cost for it....

Maybe Crooked Patton. Will file a real lawsuit.

If he goes forward with this, he is going to be very lonely at the country club.

The power turbines in Iowa are still working. What's Texas excuse!!

Vote all incumbents OUT!

Hold up there cow poke. That sure sounds like big gubberment poking it's head into regulating capitalism. Isn't that against your religion? What Would Supply Side Jesus say?

Texas made the popular yet mathematically unfortunate decision to try to replace beefy, heavy duty, constant, reliable fossil fuel power generation with weak, intermittent, WEATHER DEPENDENT, unreliable wind power. This is what experts said would happen.

Not a good sign for a state that has talked about secession.

But I thought deregulation is important to you GregAbbott_TX

Wut? It was all under his leadership! The blame is on him! He was too busy insulting the federal government with talk about secession! Smh...

It's literally his fault

Imagine being the governor and your first response is to look for someone to blame rather than to try to fix things for the people.

BreRVA Texas Governor GregAbbott_TX , after he and his party ensures that Texas' power grid is deregulated, now investigates himself for freezing his own constituents to death.

Well well well if it isn’t the consequences of my own actions

Perhaps if they spent time managing their own state instead of trying to manage others, this could’ve been avoided.

Maybe he should put more energy into investigating Climate Change.....and less into playing the blame game. Like so many of his type do.

This might make them pause at any more thoughts of seceding

At least it isn't Socialism /s

Don’t they get appointed by the Gov?

Nothing like pointing fingers.

Up north, when we know this kind of storm and cold weather is coming we prepare for it ahead of time.. especially the power companies who put on extra crews.

Moving swiftly to pass the ol' buck I see.

Privatize the profits, socialize the loses.

GOPCorruptionOverCountry

Hey Texas - keep electing repubs for more of this action. Yay to no government oversight or regulations - Yeehaw to NO FREAKIN RULES! This is what you'll get. My liberal TX friends have said the same, but will you listen now?

Oh no, 12°! -says customers in NE who are at a -40 windchill and on the same power grid. Put a blanket on, Texas. We up here with rolling black outs for your asses.

DemocratHoax

Even the 🤡s are bigger in TX.

Are they Democrats?

Perhaps using a reporter from a TX NPR station would result in a report less uncritical of Texas governor & utilities — & might address impact on low-income Texans of skyrocketing energy costs.

people like him and his buddies sold off the power grid and now his inaction (like with the pandemic response) has made the state's plight even worse, so...

Seriously? Perhaps he should look in the mirror.

Hey Gov. Abbott this is the cost of deregulation

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