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Vistra to Install New Gas-Fired Units at Permian Basin Power Plant

LCG, September 30, 2025--Vistra Corp. announced yesterday that it will proceed with the next phase of its capital plan to support grid reliability in Texas. In 2024, Vistra identified over $1 billion worth of potential capital additions in generation capacity within the Texas ERCOT market by 2028 if market conditions were supportive. Now, with West Texas' growing power requirements, particularly the state's expanding oil and natural gas industries, Vistra reached a final investment decision and confirms it will build two new advanced natural gas-fired power units on-site at its Permian Basin Power Plant.

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ERCOT Announces New Grid Research, Innovation and Transformation (GRIT) Initiative

LCG, September 24, 2025--Electric Reliability Council of Texas Inc. (ERCOT) yesterday announced its new initiative to increase its efforts to fully use and apply innovation and transformation through industry collaboration to best overcome the challenges and opportunities facing future grid operations. The new Grid Research, Innovation, and Transformation (GRIT) initiative will advance research and prototyping of emerging concepts and solutions to better understand the implications of rapid grid and technology evolution and position ERCOT to lead in the future energy landscape.

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Industry News

Enron, Portland General Cited in FERC Report

LCG, Nov. 25, 2002--Schedules for power generation and transmission submitted by Enron and Portland General Electric were intended to create the illusion of congestion on transmission lines and boost profits for the now bankrupt energy trader and its utility subsidiary, a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission report indicates.

According to the FERC's preliminary findings, Portland General and Enron's transactions were hidden through the use of Avista Corp.'s Avista Utilities as an intermediary. FERC staff found 1,290 instances during April and June 2000 in which Portland General did not properly disclose the nature of its transactions on its website. Portland's traders and transmission schedulers seem "confused and uncertain" as they conducted their transactions, and referred to the nature of some trades as "bogus" and "bizarre," the reported stated.

While power was supposed to be flowing along a north-south transmission path in the West, no power actually was transmitted. Enron was paid for relieving the phantom congestion. Portland General, according to its president and chief executive Peggy Fowler, found "we did not knowingly participate in trading strategies that were deceptive or misleading," based on its review of the documents it submitted to FERC.

The report may affect California's attempt to obtain $8.9 billion worth of refunds for what it says were overcharges for power purchases. The FERC has allowed the state an additional 100 days during which to develop a case for such refunds.
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