Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 26/05/2025Anyone know why #MISO needed to order an emergency load shed yesterday? It cited unplanned generation and transmission outages, but ... what happened? 030
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 16/05/2025Vistra 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. 160
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 13/05/2025To 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. 042
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 30/04/2025Three 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...texasmonthly.comState 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. 0168
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 28/04/2025Some personal news... www.linkedin.com/posts/russel...linkedin.comThe time has come for a new adventure. For the past 32 years, I have been… | Russell GoldThe 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 ... 050
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 24/04/2025The race is on, and the U.S. is falling behind. 001
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 23/04/2025He killed their loved one. During their victim impact statements, they asked to hug him. elpasomatters.org/2025/04/22/v...elpasomatters.orgAn El Paso mass shooter killed their loved ones. They hugged himThe 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. 010
Reposted by Russell GoldDoug Lewin @douglewin.bsky.social · 22/04/2025"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/ 1124
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 22/04/2025Not one, but two Subarus outside my local central Austin gun shop. Is the left arming itself? Is there a shift in political consumerism? 020
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 21/04/2025Fifteen years ago today. A tragedy of oil and engineering hubris. 060
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 18/04/2025Fascinating & highlights an issue ERCOT flagged at mtg this month. Sudden large load drops becoming a growing grid issue. 043
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 14/04/2025Stunning 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. 254
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 13/04/2025This 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) 352
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 11/04/2025Rural Texans speaking up for a diverse, reliable energy grid — one that includes solar + batteries + gas + nukes + wind... 0103
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 10/04/2025Why 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...prnewswire.comMubadala 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... 010
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 09/04/2025This could get interesting. Worth watching: 📃 Republicans float climate tariffs with a carbon removal twist www.axios.com/newsletters/... #axiosgenerateaxios.comAxios Generate - 📃 Republicans float climate tariffs with a carbon removal twist 020
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 08/04/2025For 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.orgWho 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... 030
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 07/04/2025ERCOT 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. 020
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 07/04/2025Thank you! What a great email to receive out of the blue! 000
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 02/04/2025Say 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...theatlantic.comThe Question Progressives Refuse to AnswerAs Democrats became the party of proceduralism, they sidestepped a crucial debate. 140
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 24/03/2025We'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...nytimes.comOpinion | The Oil Oligarch Shaping Trump’s Energy StrategyHarold Hamm, President Trump’s energy mentor, wants to take us back to the 1990s. 084
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 21/03/2025If you have to ask how much the gorditas are, you are not worthy of the gorditas. 010
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 01/03/2025Solar breaks another record in ERCOT. And 54% of electricity. 281
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 28/02/2025To quote the eminent seismologist Jerry Lee Lewis, there's a whole lotta shakin' goin' on. 141
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 20/02/2025On E. 6th Street in Austin, a high-tech ops center overseeing gigawatts of wind and solar. A few blocks away, under the Capitol dome, a bill gaining strength that would be an "industry killer." The very Texas fight over renewable energy is my latest: www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...texasmonthly.com 1227
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 28/01/2025Smoke em while you (still) got em www.chron.com/politics/art...chron.comTexans are buying up THC—before they can'tTexas THC retailers are reporting an increase in customer visits and consumer sales ahead of consideration by the Texas Legislature of a potential ban on THC. 021
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 23/01/2025He Saved the Texas Oil Industry. Then the Feds Accused Him of Colluding With the Saudis. The untold story of Scott Sheffield. www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...texasmonthly.comHow a Texas Oilman and a Saudi Minister May Have Cost You More at the Gas PumpScott Sheffield, the former CEO of Pioneer Natural Resources, is a hero of the Texas oil industry. But the U.S. government has accused him of working with OPEC to fix prices. 0123
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 14/01/2025A modest proposal to Frenchify the Texas economy. (Let's turn the historic French legation into an Airbnb, and other ideas.) www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...texasmonthly.comOui-Haw! Let’s Frenchify the Texas EconomyTo push our state's GDP higher than France's, perhaps we should become more like our European rival. 161
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 08/01/2025Need to sign an indemnity agreement to visit a ranch that lists "detonating explosives" as a "recreational activity." Oh, Texas! You had me at explosives. 020
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 03/01/2025"Approximately 4 miles West of Alpine, Sheriff Dodson disabled the rear tire of the vehicle with a well placed round from his 1911 pistol." bigbendsentinel.com/2024/12/29/b...bigbendsentinel.comBrewster sheriff shoots out tire of fleeing theft suspectBrewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson shot a fleeing theft suspect’s rear tire as he fled from deputies through Alpine and west on Highway 90 Friday, before the suspect’s car ran over tire spikes, coll... 110
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 03/01/2025Spotted pair of coyotes in urban Austin this morning (around 35th street, in creek bed.) They seemed to be enjoying the New Year. 030
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 02/01/2025From the Dallas Fed energy survey... the headline "all firms" looks positive, but the large E&P firms are not so cheery — and they are bulk of production and spending. 010
Reposted by Russell GoldEvil MoPac @evilmopacatx.bsky.social · 18/12/2024Austin Winter is almost here ❤️ 316729
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 26/12/2024Cachito vs. Kolache: What's the difference? My stomach demands an answer. 120
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 17/12/2024I am obsessed with the "Miramax Channel" on my TV. It's always playing the Godfather (or Mission: Impossible II) -- I've never seen it play an actual Miramax movie. And given the whole Harvey Weinstein of it all — why use it as a brand? 000
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 02/12/2024Thinking of starting a GoFundMe to raise $163 for an Enron hoodie and bumper sticker. enron.com/collections/...enron.comCompany StoreWe're back and we have something to say 230
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 27/11/2024Finishing new book by @jrdsllvn.bsky.social on the largest environmental disaster that practically no one talks about: The TVA's 2008 Kingston coal ash disaster, and the human toll of cleaning it up. It is a jarring tale of lies, litigation and really unhealthy dust. 243
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 26/11/2024A 25% tariff on Canadian oil would impact one region of the US in particular. The pipeline system is built to purchase & refine Canadian crude. Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Utah: Get ready for higher gas prices. 184
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 23/11/2024Ho hum, just an 80% emissions free electricity day in Texas. 0265
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 21/11/2024New life for old batteries. Element Energy announced a large utility-storage facility in West Texas using — reusing, actually — old EV batteries. If it's new and interesting in energy, it's in Texas. Part 324. www.canarymedia.com/articles/lon...canarymedia.comThe biggest grid storage project using old batteries is online in…Startup Element Energy set out to prove that second-life batteries could deliver cheaper energy storage safely and at scale. 23813
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 20/11/2024In 2015, a minor aviation mishap introduced me to Chris Wright, Trump's proposed Energy Secretary. I was impressed with what he was doing. www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...texasmonthly.comWhat Energy Secretary Chris Wright Would Mean for TexasWhen I first met Trump’s cabinet nominee, he was an industry innovator, but now he’s dismissive of the solar and wind power revolution. 171
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 20/11/2024In 2015, a minor aviation mishap introduced me to Chris Wright, Trump's proposed Energy Secretary. I was impressed with what he was doing. www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...texasmonthly.comWhat Energy Secretary Chris Wright Would Mean for TexasWhen I first met Trump’s cabinet nominee, he was an industry innovator, but now he’s dismissive of the solar and wind power revolution. 030
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 18/11/2024The Longhorn, like many of us, has a long and tangled immigrant story to share." Photos by Joel Salcido & words by John Phillips Santos, which is a knockout one-two punch. In the new @texasmonthly.bsky.social www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/...texasmonthly.comThe Texas Longhorn Isn’t as Texan as You ThinkPhotographer Joel Salcido uncovers the story of its origins. 094
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 14/11/2024I visited Occidental's new, $1.3 billion pair of lungs to remove CO2 from the air and ended up feeling something strange: Optimism. www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...texasmonthly.comNew Hope to Combat Climate Change—From an Oil Giant?Occidental Petroleum’s $1.3 billion carbon removal project in West Texas aims to prove the technology can make a difference. 0123
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 04/11/2024Texas is gerrymandered to favor the GOP. We played around with a redistricting program and created a map that generated 26 safe/leaning D Congressional seats to 12 safe/leaning R seats. What happened to our representative democracy? www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...texasmonthly.comWe Gerrymandered Texas Two Ways to Show How Undemocratic the Process IsThe Democratic Party wins only around 45 percent of the vote statewide, but if it controlled redistricting, it could pick up about two-thirds of the state’s congressional seats. 150
Russell Gold @russellgold.bsky.social · 01/11/2024Nice scoop. This is going to get expensive. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investi...houstonchronicle.comLeaked memo details Texas’ $100M emergency request for oil well blowoutsTexas Railroad Commission's emergency funding request comes weeks after a 100-foot geyser erupted in a West Texas oil field. 262