During a recent government meeting, discussions centered on the evolving challenges in Texas's electricity market. Members of the committee explored the need for new standards that any new electricity load must meet. This topic was highlighted as essential for maintaining reliability and affordability in the face of rapid changes in demand, particularly from data centers.

Glenn Lyons, a retired ExxonMobil executive and former member of the ERCOT board, provided public testimony. He emphasized that the current structure of ERCOT was designed for a slower-moving market. However, with the rise of data centers, the existing system struggles to adapt quickly to new demands. Lyons argued that Texas needs to consider alternative electricity markets to better accommodate this rapid growth.

He introduced the concept of Consumer Regulated Electricity (CRE), which would allow new data centers to partner with innovative electric utilities. This approach would enable these utilities to operate independently from the existing regulated grid, thus avoiding additional costs and reliability issues. Lyons believes that by adopting CRE, Texas can enhance its electricity market's responsiveness without compromising the reliability that consumers expect.

Lyons provided the committee with a written copy of his testimony, including an introduction to CRE and a draft bill. His insights aim to guide Texas in navigating the complexities of its electricity market as it faces increasing demands. The meeting concluded with an invitation for further public testimony, indicating ongoing engagement with stakeholders in the energy sector.