Which event highlighted flaws in Texas's energy policy?

The February 2021 winter storm and the subsequent power outages served as a crucial turning point in illustrating the weaknesses within Texas's energy policy. During this extreme weather event, the failure of the energy grid to handle the unprecedented demand for heating and power resulted in widespread blackouts affecting millions of residents.

This crisis exposed several systemic issues, such as the lack of adequate winterization of power infrastructure and the reliance on a deregulated market that did not incentivize sufficient preparations for extreme weather. The storm not only led to a humanitarian crisis but also raised questions about the reliability of Texas's energy supply, highlighting the state's challenges in balancing energy independence with consumer protection and grid resiliency. These events prompted discussions about the need for reforms in energy policy to ensure more robust responses to climate variability and potential emergencies, thus underlining the importance of reevaluation in the sector.