The latest directive by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott aimed at ensuring electric reliability appears to be once again pitting proponents of fossil fuels against those who see renewables as an integral part of the energy landscape.

ERCOT outages

In a letter sent to the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) last week, Abbott said the objective of the actions he outlined is to “ensure that all Texans have access to reliable, safe and affordable power, and that this task is achieved in the quickest possible way.”

The orders are the latest in a series of sweeping changes made by regulators to improve the troubled Texas power grid. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) implemented widespread blackouts across the state amid an unprecedented deep freeze in February — and narrowly avoided...