Governor Abbott Announces More Than $795,000 In Grant Funding To Strengthen Electric Reliability In Northwest Texas

TEXAS, August 18 - August 18, 2026 | Austin, Texas | Press Release

Governor Greg Abbott today announced a Texas Energy Fund (TxEF) grant for more than $795,000 to strengthen electric reliability for Deaf Smith Electric Cooperative members in Northwest Texas. The grant will support the co-op’s system modernization work.

“The Texas Energy Fund strengthens the electric systems that families, businesses, and communities depend on,” said Governor Abbott. “This critical grant will reduce equipment failure rates, lower repair times, and prevent or shorten outages for Texans.”

“As power demand grows throughout Texas, grid modernization remains a top priority,” said Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) Chairman Thomas Gleeson. “Investments in reliability projects strengthen our infrastructure and reinforce Texans’ confidence that dependable power will be there whenever they need it.”

This reliability and resiliency project includes the replacement of 30 aging breakers across eight electrical substations. This project will benefit members in Deaf Smith Electric Cooperative’s service territory, including portions of Castro, Oldham, Parmer, and Deaf Smith Counties.

The PUCT administers the TxEF Outside ERCOT Grant Program, which provides funding for projects that improve electric reliability and resiliency for Texans served by electric utilities outside the ERCOT region. More information on this and other TxEF programs is available on the PUCT’s website.