By Gary McWilliams | Reuters
HOUSTON – The Texas power grid operator on Friday canceled Griddy Energy LLC’s access to the state’s power grid and moved all its customers to other utility companies, according to a notification from the grid operator.
Griddy was the electricity trader who sold energy consumers at wholesale rates, which rose to $ 9,000 per megawatt hour for days as cold weather hit the state last week. A request for comment was not returned immediately. A phone number listed on his website was not connected on Friday afternoon.
Texas Electric Reliability Council (ERCOT) said it began transferring about 10,100 Griddy customers to one or more rival suppliers on Friday. Retail electricity suppliers who do not pay bills within 72 hours can have all their customers assigned to other electricity suppliers.
ERCOT faced a storm of criticism from residents and state officials this week after it was caught unprepared for the severe cold. He called on utilities to cut off energy to protect the grid, leaving 4.3 million people without heat or light.
Seven of the 15 ERCOT directors resigned this week and one candidate withdrew. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said public anger was justified and blamed ERCOT for not acting faster to stop generators from disconnecting.