"He has total veto power": Greg Abbott takes control over who will lead Texas' troubled power grid

[Nevilledog]

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A former senior ERCOT employee said the governor is not just reviewing and editing the Texas grid operator's public statements, but is also "telling ERCOT whether or not they can release grid information at all."
Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about preparations and warnings ahead of a winter storm at a press conference on Feb. 1, 2022.
texastribune.org
“He has total veto power”: Greg Abbott takes control over who will le…
Locked in a potentially tight reelection race and facing criticism over the grid’s 2021 collapse, the governor is exerting unprecedented influence over what the state grid operator shares with the pu…
10:03 AM · Aug 10, 2022

https://www.texastribune.org/2022/08/10/texas-power-grid-ercot-ceo-greg-abbott/

When Brad Jones was tapped as interim CEO of the nonprofit that runs the state’s power grid following the deadly February 2021 winter storm that left most of Texas without power for days, he said he would help stabilize the grid and get it through the summer. Jones was clear that he wasn’t interested in keeping the job long term.

Now, 15 months after Jones became interim CEO — and more than a month after the June target date when Jones had told colleagues and conference crowds that he wanted to step down — the Electric Reliability Council of Texas’ new board of directors still has not selected his successor.

Eight sources from across the power industry who spoke to The Texas Tribune say Gov. Greg Abbott — who has no formal role in the process — has put a stranglehold on the CEO search.

The board of directors, installed by a group of three people who are appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor and House speaker, and a contracted search firm have presented CEO candidates to Abbott for final say, according to three sources who spoke to the Tribune on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive issues.

*snip*

[bahboo]

1. does he just assume this power...

or is it expressly delegated in the constitution.....

[Comfortably_Numb]

2. Greg cashing in on that job. Bribes...er.... Campaign contributions are going to buy that spot and

nothing will change in Abutts fiefdom …fucking Texas. He’ll screw Texans over and these magat rubes will eat it up.

[crickets]

3. That's a shame. Until they vote him out, Texans are screwed. They need BETO. nt

[live love laugh]

4. What's the purpose of making Texans miserable?

I don’t get it.

[UTUSN]

6. Wingnuts don't believe in government, certainly not good for the people.

[niyad]

9. Forr a sadist? power and control, making people suffer.

[shrike3]

12. I remember a quote from a Canadian, whose name I cannot remember.

"You Americans, you're just like the Russians. The more your government craps on you, the happier you are."

Substitute Canadians for Americans and you have your answer.

[UTUSN]

5. Why doesn't Texas just dig up Saddam & install him, or Drumpf in secessionist country?

[musette_sf]

7. FYYFF

that is all

[LetMyPeopleVote]

8. I am worried about the grid

[sinkingfeeling]

10. I think that move completes Texas' fascism check list.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

11. Reminder: These Extreme Policies are what the Texas GOP stands for in 2022

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