Two key Texas power grid officials are resigning as the taxing winter months approach.
Will McAdams, the appointed head commissioner of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), said he is resigning from his position, according to Bloomberg News.
Gov. Greg Abbott initially appointed McAdams to serve as one of four commissioners in April 2021 as part of a bid to reorganize the body’s leadership after the historic failure of the power grid during Winter Storm Uri, the severe weather event of February 2021.
McAdam’s resignation comes more than a year before his term’s scheduled end date of September 1, 2025.
Carrie Bivens, who was serving as the independent market monitor (IMM) director for the Texas grid, has also resigned from her position, confirmed PUCT. Bivens was appointed to the position in April 2020.
As the IMM director, Biven worked with the PUCT “to detect and prevent market manipulation strategies” and identify possible improvements for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) in the market.
Bivens had previously challenged ERCOT, alleging that its use of ancillary services for energy reserves had contributed to a market price hike, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
The circumstances behind each departure are currently unknown.
Texas power grid operators and electricity companies have been preparing for winter’s upcoming energy demand following summer’s oppressive temperatures. ERCOT claimed last month that the grid is ready to meet the forthcoming demand, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
