Investigating the Texas Blackout

In February 2021, a powerful winter storm led to power outages — and an official tally of more than 200 deaths — across Texas. The Disconnect, a podcast from FRONTLINE’s Local Journalism Initiative partner, the Texas Newsroom, and Austin public radio station KUT, investigatess the aftermath of the storm and the state’s response. KUT’s Mose Buchele, Senior Correspondent for Energy & Environment, joins The FRONTLINE Dispatch to talk about the state’s unique power grid, the deadly consequences when it failed and trying to hold officials accountable. “At the end of the day,” Buchele said, “this is a system that seems sometimes intentionally set up to diffuse responsibility.” Season 2 of The Disconnect, which is supported by FRONTLINE’s Local Journalism Initiative, is available at KUT and other streaming platforms. Want to be notified every time a new FRONTLINE Dispatch podcast episode drops? Sign up for The FRONTLINE Dispatch newsletter.