Winter Storm Fern, which caused icy precipitation to fall across much of the country and threatened widespread power outages in January 2026, invited comparisons to 2021’s Winter Storm Uri.

But these two storms tested the grid in very different ways. While Uri’s challenges related to extreme demand, this latest storm raised a different concern: physical damage to transmission and distribution infrastructure from ice, more akin to a hurricane-style event.

In an interview with the Houston Business Journal conducted less than 24 hours before Fern arrived, Enchanted Rock Chief Commercial Officer Allan Schurr outlined steps technicians were taking to ensure readiness, from expediting maintenance needs to advancing some construction work, and reinforced natural gas supply readiness to ensure the fleet was prepared. He noted that Enchanted Rock’s natural gas–fueled microgrids and underground electrical conduits are less exposed to ice-related damage than overhead power lines, helping protect critical customers when branches and lines come down.

Schurr emphasized that, building on Enchanted Rock’s strong performance during Winter Storm Uri, the company has incorporated operational lessons from 2021 into its planning for future events, including improvements in logistics and support for field teams during extended emergencies. Those learnings now shape how Enchanted Rock prepares for and responds to extreme winter weather, extreme heat, and everything in between to support both critical facilities and the broader grid.

Read the full article from the Houston Business Journal here.