Texas, the largest energy-producing state in the US, enters the sixth day of energy freeze with no electricity and water following a winter storm that failed its power grid. President Joe Biden on Sunday declared an emergency in Texas, ordering federal assistance to aid response efforts.
With natural gas wells, pipelines, and wind turbines frozen shut, 2.7 million households are suffering a complete blackout. According to the officials, restoring power will be a slow process in the current freezing temperature expected to last throughout the week. Over a dozen deaths have already been attributed to the unprecedented winter storm raging in the state.
Several hospitals in Houston have reported a lack of water in the building. "Water pressure is very low. Please do not run water to keep pipes from bursting," Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner tweeted.
Texas is the only US state which operates its internal power grid. The Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the operator of the state's power grid which provides about 90 per cent of the state's electricity, is under intense scrutiny and facing sharp criticism from state leadership, including Governor Greg Abbott, who called for an investigation into ERCOT.
ERCOT turned off power for millions of customers after several power plants were shut down due to the below-freezing temperatures.
Texas's energy freeze has also affected Mexico since the export of natural gas via pipeline dropped off about 75 per cent. Greg Abbot has asked the state's natural gas providers to stop shipping in the wake of the current situation. Lack of communication about when residents can expect their electricity service to return is causing further outrage among the people.
Officials at ERCOT pointed out that the plants' equipment could not handle the extreme, low temperatures. The only available choices were to either shut down power for customers or risk a collapse of the grid altogether.