Lubbock looks set to join Texas' power grid, following a vote by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
In a vote taken this week, the Public Utility Commission of Texas voted to approve Lubbock's request to join Electric Reliability Council of Texas power grid. Lubbock's Lubbock Power & Light turned in an application request entry to the power grid in September and received final approval this week.
Lubbock mayor Dan Pope praised the move in a statement to Lubbock's KCBD-TV, calling the move an "important day" for the city.
"This is an important day for the City of Lubbock," Pope said." We are securing our future energy needs for our ratepayers and putting our community in a position to continue its economic vitality for years to come."
Proponents of the move say that the transition will open up Lubbock's electricity to competition to allow Lubbock residents to have a choice in power provider. However, Lubbock Power and Light is expected to pay $22 million a year for the first five years of the transition to offset costs during integration.
Lubbock is expected to be on the ERCOT power grid by June 1, 2021.
Photo by Texas Tribune