Russell Gold
@russellgold.bsky.social
Writer of things, articles, books, notes to self. Texas Monthly. WSJ alum. Trafficker in truth.
Anyone know why #MISO needed to order an emergency load shed yesterday? It cited unplanned generation and transmission outages, but ... what happened?
May 26, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Anyone know why #MISO needed to order an emergency load shed yesterday? It cited unplanned generation and transmission outages, but ... what happened?
Vistra spends $1.9 billion to buy gas plants.
NRG spends $12 billion to buy gas plants.
Constellation spends $16.4 billion to buy gas plants.
That’s ~$30 billion and not a single new gas plant built.
Folks, we’ve got to build new generation, not just change the names on the gate.
NRG spends $12 billion to buy gas plants.
Constellation spends $16.4 billion to buy gas plants.
That’s ~$30 billion and not a single new gas plant built.
Folks, we’ve got to build new generation, not just change the names on the gate.
May 16, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Vistra spends $1.9 billion to buy gas plants.
NRG spends $12 billion to buy gas plants.
Constellation spends $16.4 billion to buy gas plants.
That’s ~$30 billion and not a single new gas plant built.
Folks, we’ve got to build new generation, not just change the names on the gate.
NRG spends $12 billion to buy gas plants.
Constellation spends $16.4 billion to buy gas plants.
That’s ~$30 billion and not a single new gas plant built.
Folks, we’ve got to build new generation, not just change the names on the gate.
To be competitive in AI race, the political right will need to accept the need for solar+batteries, and the political left will need to accept the need for natgas peakers. So says
New politics needed for a new energy world.
New politics needed for a new energy world.
MEETING AI ENERGY DEMAND IS GOING TO FORCE A BREAK IN ENERGY POLITICS IN THE US.
So said Neil Chatterjee, former top energy regulator during the 1st Trump administration.
Read my story for @cipherclimate.bsky.social about my conversation with the former FERC chair: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
So said Neil Chatterjee, former top energy regulator during the 1st Trump administration.
Read my story for @cipherclimate.bsky.social about my conversation with the former FERC chair: www.linkedin.com/posts/catcli...
May 13, 2025 at 3:10 AM
To be competitive in AI race, the political right will need to accept the need for solar+batteries, and the political left will need to accept the need for natgas peakers. So says
New politics needed for a new energy world.
New politics needed for a new energy world.
Three times state officials decided an oilfield waste dump wasn't suitable for Joaquin, Texas. They process took five years and two weeks of hearings. Railroad Commissioners approved it anyway--after three minutes of discussion.
www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
State Experts Warned Against an Oil Field Waste Dump. Texas Regulators Approved it Anyway.
Examiners repeatedly noted the significant risk of water contamination at the East Texas site. But the Railroad Commission green-lit the facility.
www.texasmonthly.com
April 30, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Three times state officials decided an oilfield waste dump wasn't suitable for Joaquin, Texas. They process took five years and two weeks of hearings. Railroad Commissioners approved it anyway--after three minutes of discussion.
www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
Some personal news... www.linkedin.com/posts/russel...
The time has come for a new adventure.
For the past 32 years, I have been… | Russell Gold
The time has come for a new adventure.
For the past 32 years, I have been a journalist. Not an editor. Not a bureau chief. A journalist. Working the phones. Wrangling data. Asking questions. Putting ...
www.linkedin.com
April 28, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Some personal news... www.linkedin.com/posts/russel...
The race is on, and the U.S. is falling behind.
April 24, 2025 at 12:59 PM
The race is on, and the U.S. is falling behind.
He killed their loved one. During their victim impact statements, they asked to hug him.
elpasomatters.org/2025/04/22/v...
elpasomatters.org/2025/04/22/v...
An El Paso mass shooter killed their loved ones. They hugged him
The judge wept and others in the courtroom sobbed as a woman who lost her brother in the 2019 El Paso Walmart mass shooting hugged the gunman after her emotional impact statement.
elpasomatters.org
April 23, 2025 at 3:16 PM
He killed their loved one. During their victim impact statements, they asked to hug him.
elpasomatters.org/2025/04/22/v...
elpasomatters.org/2025/04/22/v...
Dammit, gotta watch Andor now
NIMBY’s are the rebels
April 23, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Dammit, gotta watch Andor now
Reposted by Russell Gold
"Let's try do to no harm." That's what ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas told the Legislature two years ago about a bill similar to one that could get a vote in committee tomorrow. He said the retroactive requirements would undermine ERCOT's ability to have "the energy that we need." 1/
April 22, 2025 at 8:18 PM
"Let's try do to no harm." That's what ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas told the Legislature two years ago about a bill similar to one that could get a vote in committee tomorrow. He said the retroactive requirements would undermine ERCOT's ability to have "the energy that we need." 1/
Not one, but two Subarus outside my local central Austin gun shop.
Is the left arming itself? Is there a shift in political consumerism?
Is the left arming itself? Is there a shift in political consumerism?
April 22, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Not one, but two Subarus outside my local central Austin gun shop.
Is the left arming itself? Is there a shift in political consumerism?
Is the left arming itself? Is there a shift in political consumerism?
Fifteen years ago today. A tragedy of oil and engineering hubris.
April 20, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Fifteen years ago today. A tragedy of oil and engineering hubris.
Fascinating & highlights an issue ERCOT flagged at mtg this month. Sudden large load drops becoming a growing grid issue.
This @gridstatus.io blog details
- Storm caused fluctuations on grid power quality
- Massive North VA data centres exited the grid to protect equipment, switching to internal backup power
- That sudden exit caused *its own impacts* on the grid
Self-preservation, with a real cost to others ->
- Storm caused fluctuations on grid power quality
- Massive North VA data centres exited the grid to protect equipment, switching to internal backup power
- That sudden exit caused *its own impacts* on the grid
Self-preservation, with a real cost to others ->
Byte Blackouts: How large data center loads are surfacing new issues
With continued rapid growth in data centers, PJM's demand ecosystem is changing, but the market's resource mix has yet to add its own flexible assets.
blog.gridstatus.io
April 18, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Fascinating & highlights an issue ERCOT flagged at mtg this month. Sudden large load drops becoming a growing grid issue.
Stunning photo of sinkhole near McCamey, with oil oil well in the middle. Yeah, that's oil in pit. Check out people on left for scale.
April 14, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Stunning photo of sinkhole near McCamey, with oil oil well in the middle. Yeah, that's oil in pit. Check out people on left for scale.
This might make the coasts uncomfortable, but Texas has been leading the way on certain issues (housing, energy) for years, and the rest of the country is just figuring this out.
(from @conordougherty.bsky.social 's latest in the NYT magazine)
(from @conordougherty.bsky.social 's latest in the NYT magazine)
April 13, 2025 at 3:38 PM
This might make the coasts uncomfortable, but Texas has been leading the way on certain issues (housing, energy) for years, and the rest of the country is just figuring this out.
(from @conordougherty.bsky.social 's latest in the NYT magazine)
(from @conordougherty.bsky.social 's latest in the NYT magazine)
Rural Texans speaking up for a diverse, reliable energy grid — one that includes solar + batteries + gas + nukes + wind...
I’ve watched energy hearings in Texas for over 20 years. The hearing on SB 819 was unlike anything I’ve ever seen for an energy bill.
50+ Texans spoke up to oppose the bill, including this rancher from Armstrong County: "Y'all don't realize what small counties need." 1/5
50+ Texans spoke up to oppose the bill, including this rancher from Armstrong County: "Y'all don't realize what small counties need." 1/5
April 11, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Rural Texans speaking up for a diverse, reliable energy grid — one that includes solar + batteries + gas + nukes + wind...
Why should Texas use more renewables on its electricity grid? It frees up natural gas for export, part 65.
Abu Dhabi energy giant buys 24% stake in Eagle Ford upstream & Calcasieu pass LNG export play.
www.prnewswire.com/news-release...
Abu Dhabi energy giant buys 24% stake in Eagle Ford upstream & Calcasieu pass LNG export play.
www.prnewswire.com/news-release...
Mubadala Energy Enters Major U.S. Upstream Gas and LNG Operation with Kimmeridge
/PRNewswire/ -- Mubadala Energy, the Abu Dhabi headquartered international energy company, has today signed an agreement with Kimmeridge, the energy-focused...
www.prnewswire.com
April 10, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Why should Texas use more renewables on its electricity grid? It frees up natural gas for export, part 65.
Abu Dhabi energy giant buys 24% stake in Eagle Ford upstream & Calcasieu pass LNG export play.
www.prnewswire.com/news-release...
Abu Dhabi energy giant buys 24% stake in Eagle Ford upstream & Calcasieu pass LNG export play.
www.prnewswire.com/news-release...
This could get interesting. Worth watching: 📃 Republicans float climate tariffs with a carbon removal twist www.axios.com/newsletters/... #axiosgenerate
Axios Generate - 📃 Republicans float climate tariffs with a carbon removal twist
www.axios.com
April 9, 2025 at 2:12 PM
This could get interesting. Worth watching: 📃 Republicans float climate tariffs with a carbon removal twist www.axios.com/newsletters/... #axiosgenerate
For the past couple years, rumors have swirled about the $$$ behind Texas' Draconian anti-renewable push. Now, some names are emerging and, of course, there's a #Landman connection.
energyandpolicy.org/who-is-stewa...
energyandpolicy.org/who-is-stewa...
Who is Stewards of Texas, the group pushing anti-renewable energy bill SB 819?
A newly-formed 501(c)4 nonprofit is behind efforts to pass a bill that would enact draconian siting requirements for new solar and wind generation, impose additional permit requirements for developers...
energyandpolicy.org
April 8, 2025 at 8:33 PM
For the past couple years, rumors have swirled about the $$$ behind Texas' Draconian anti-renewable push. Now, some names are emerging and, of course, there's a #Landman connection.
energyandpolicy.org/who-is-stewa...
energyandpolicy.org/who-is-stewa...
ERCOT is now keeping an eye on bitcoin miners suddenly tripping off... a rapid 330mw drop can cause voltage fluctuations. Not a crisis, but getting more common.
April 7, 2025 at 9:31 PM
ERCOT is now keeping an eye on bitcoin miners suddenly tripping off... a rapid 330mw drop can cause voltage fluctuations. Not a crisis, but getting more common.
Thank you! What a great email to receive out of the blue!
April 7, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Thank you! What a great email to receive out of the blue!
Nailed it.
Every day we learn anew just how much classified ads were perhaps the load-bearing pillar of American hegemony
April 4, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Nailed it.
Say we need to build a new bridge or interstate transmission line or SMR nuke ... who should decide where it goes, and whose neighborhood gets disrupted? The President? The courts? Someone else?
Interesting new piece by Mark Dunkelman in the Atlantic.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Interesting new piece by Mark Dunkelman in the Atlantic.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
The Question Progressives Refuse to Answer
As Democrats became the party of proceduralism, they sidestepped a crucial debate.
www.theatlantic.com
April 2, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Say we need to build a new bridge or interstate transmission line or SMR nuke ... who should decide where it goes, and whose neighborhood gets disrupted? The President? The courts? Someone else?
Interesting new piece by Mark Dunkelman in the Atlantic.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Interesting new piece by Mark Dunkelman in the Atlantic.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
We're breaking energy production records.
Our greenhouse gas emissions are down.
Energy prices are not high.
So why does the Trump administration want to dramatically change course?
The answer lies with Harold Hamm. My (first) NYT essay:
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/o...
Our greenhouse gas emissions are down.
Energy prices are not high.
So why does the Trump administration want to dramatically change course?
The answer lies with Harold Hamm. My (first) NYT essay:
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/o...
Opinion | The Oil Oligarch Shaping Trump’s Energy Strategy
Harold Hamm, President Trump’s energy mentor, wants to take us back to the 1990s.
www.nytimes.com
March 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM
We're breaking energy production records.
Our greenhouse gas emissions are down.
Energy prices are not high.
So why does the Trump administration want to dramatically change course?
The answer lies with Harold Hamm. My (first) NYT essay:
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/o...
Our greenhouse gas emissions are down.
Energy prices are not high.
So why does the Trump administration want to dramatically change course?
The answer lies with Harold Hamm. My (first) NYT essay:
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/o...
If you have to ask how much the gorditas are, you are not worthy of the gorditas.
March 21, 2025 at 3:54 PM
If you have to ask how much the gorditas are, you are not worthy of the gorditas.
Solar breaks another record in ERCOT. And 54% of electricity.
March 1, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Solar breaks another record in ERCOT. And 54% of electricity.