By Gary McWilliams | Reuters
HOUSTON – On Friday, the Texas power grid operator canceled Griddy Energy LLC’s access to the state’s power grid and moved all of its customers to other utilities, according to a notice from the network operator.
Griddy was the energy seller who sold energy to consumers at wholesale prices, which rose to $ 9,000 per megawatt hour for days as the cold weather hit the state last week. The request for feedback was not returned immediately. A phone number listed on its website was not connected on Friday afternoon.
The Texas Electric Reliability Council (ERCOT) said Friday it had begun transferring about 10,100 Griddy customers to one or more rival suppliers. Retail energy suppliers who do not pay bills within 72 hours can be reassigned all their customers to other electricity suppliers.
ERCOT has faced a critical fire storm this week from residents and state officials after being caught ill-prepared for the severe cold. He called on utilities to cut off electricity to protect the grid, leaving 4.3 million people without heat or light.
Seven of the 15 ERCC councilors resigned this week and one candidate withdrew. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said public anger was justified and blamed ERCOT for not acting faster to prevent generators from going offline.