Texas approves 200 million dollar grant to strengthen electric reliability for more than 538,000 Entergy customers
Austin, Texas – More than half a million electricity customers in Southeast Texas are expected to benefit from a major infrastructure investment aimed at making the region’s power system more resilient during severe weather.
Governor Greg Abbott announced a $200 million grant through the Texas Energy Fund that will support reliability improvements across the service area of Entergy Texas. State officials said the funding will help strengthen critical electric infrastructure serving more than 538,000 customers.
The grant is intended to reduce the impact of storms, flooding, and other extreme weather events that can lead to power outages and lengthy restoration efforts.
“Texans deserve reliable electricity no matter where they live,” said Governor Abbott. “These grants will strengthen the power infrastructure that Southeast Texas families, businesses, schools, and hospitals rely on every day. Texas will build a stronger, more reliable electric grid for all Texans.”
Major upgrades planned across Southeast Texas
According to state officials, the funding will be used for two large-scale projects designed to improve both reliability and resilience throughout Entergy Texas’ service territory.
The utility’s coverage area includes portions of Chambers, Grimes, Hardin, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Orange, and Walker counties.
The largest project will focus on strengthening more than 400 miles of transmission and distribution lines. In addition, more than 9,000 structures throughout the electric system will be upgraded.
Officials said many of the upgrades will target utility poles and other equipment that are vulnerable during major storms. By improving these components, Entergy Texas expects to reduce outages and shorten the amount of time customers remain without electricity following severe weather events.
The second project will focus on protecting five electrical substations from flooding and storm damage. Substations play a critical role in delivering electricity to homes and businesses, and officials say strengthening them will help keep power systems operating even during challenging weather conditions.
State leaders highlight reliability benefits
The grant is being provided through the Texas Energy Fund’s Outside ERCOT Grant Program, which is administered by the Public Utility Commission of Texas. The program supports projects that improve electric reliability for customers served by utilities located outside the ERCOT power grid region.
PUCT Chairman Thomas Gleeson said the investment reflects the goals voters had in mind when the Texas Energy Fund was created.
“The TxEF Outside-ERCOT Grant Program is delivering real improvements to electric reliability across Texas,” said Gleeson. “These projects will strengthen critical power equipment, reduce storm-related outages, and help restore power more quickly when severe weather strikes. This is exactly the kind of investment Texan voters approved when they created the TxEF.”
Entergy Texas officials also praised the partnership between state leaders and the utility.
“Working in close partnership with state leadership, we are fast-tracking critical grid upgrades to better defend against extreme weather,” said Entergy Texas CEO Eliecer Viamontes. “Delivering these outcomes with zero impact to customer bills makes this a definitive win for the families, businesses, and communities we serve across Southeast Texas.”
The announcement comes as Texas continues investing in energy infrastructure following years of concerns about weather-related disruptions. Officials say the projects funded through this grant will help create a more dependable electric system for residents, businesses, schools, hospitals, and other critical facilities throughout Southeast Texas.
