On a normal February day, Texans need about 54,000 megawatts of electricity at peak demand. Early on that Monday morning we needed over 70,000 megawatts as heating our homes required more energy. //

So, what should Texas do? ERCOT and the PUC can only act in ways permitted by the Texas Legislature. They do not have the authority to compel electric generators to winterize their plants. They can only suggest it.

Gov. Greg Abbott has proposed legislation to give the PUC authority to require winterization. The Legislature should act immediately to give the PUC the tools it needs so that Texans do not suffer another week in the cold and dark. //

David Sibley is a former Republican Texas senator who co-authored Senate Bill 7 in 1999, which deregulated the Texas electric market. He wrote this column for The Dallas Morning News.