Federal funds that go directly to Texas’ political subdivisions affect the Texas economy as a whole. But regulation of Texas’ economy is, under the U.S. Constitution, a power that belongs to the state government, not the federal government. The Texas state government needs to take a full reckoning of federal grants sent directly to local governments, because these funds are never “free”—they come with federal requirements that build spending requirements into the system.
The Explosion of Transmission Costs in ERCOT: Causes, Forecasts, and Policy Solutions
KEY POINTS • Transmission costs in ERCOT rose from $1.5 billion in 2010 to over $5 billion in 2024 and could increase to over $12 billion per year by 2033. • After adjusting for inflation and overall rising electricity demand, the average ratepayer in the ERCOT region paid 57% more in transmission charges in 2024...