The head of the commission that was supposed to supervise ERCOT, the electricity grid, resigns

DeAnn Walker, director of the state agency that regulates the state’s public services, resigned Monday after officials including Lt. Governor Dan Patrick called for his resignation.

Walker, who ran the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), came under fire last week during a hearing with lawmakers who blamed her for handling the power outages last month.

In a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott, Walker indicated that his resignation is immediate. In the letter, he accepted responsibility for his performance during the blackouts, but said there were other parties to blame. He indicated that the failure of the power grid was not caused by one person or group, and that many individuals and companies contributed to the situation.

“I believe that others should step up and show their duty and dignity and accept how their actions or inactions contributed to the situation,” Walker said in the letter. “The gas companies, the Railroad Commission, the electric generators, the transmission and distribution network, ERCOT and finally the Legislature, all have the responsibility of supervising what could happen and they failed to take the necessary actions in the last 10 years” .

Walker, who had a salary of $ 201,000, was appointed to the position by Governor Greg Abbott.

“Our focus is to continue to work collaboratively with the Legislature on reforms to our energy system and (to achieve) solutions to ensure these tragic events are never repeated,” Abbott said in a statement.

Dallas Democratic Rep. Rafael Anchía was one of those who questioned Walker the most during his testimony and said she failed in her regulatory duty.

“The Public Utilities Commission, appointed by Governor Abbott, was at best negligent in its oversight of ERCOT,” Anchia wrote in a statement. “It is their mission to protect Texans and ensure reliable power is available when it is needed most, yet families are left stranded in the cold. We need determined action to prevent this catastrophe from repeating itself. “

He added: “We Texans still await your apology.”

Dan Patrick, who is also the head of the state senate, called on Monday for the resignation of Walker and Bill Magness, the chief executive of ERCOT, the entity that oversees the power grid.

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