TEXAS — Peter Lake, chairman of the Texas Public Utility Commission, which regulates the state’s power grid, has resigned. Gov. Greg Abbott’s office announced Lake’s resignation Friday.

Lake has served as chairman since April 2021, a short time after a winter storm pushed the state's electric grid past its capacity to provide power. Abbott said Lake’s resignation as chairman is effective immediately, but he will stay on as PUC commissioner until July 1.

“Peter Lake is a true public servant who stepped up during a critical time in our state to help rebuild not only the PUC, but Texans’ trust in those charged with providing reliable power,” Abbott wrote. “With Lake at the helm of the PUC, we have ensured that no Texan has lost power due to the state grid since the 14 bipartisan reforms were passed and signed into law. I thank Lake for his service to Texas and his tireless work to secure and strengthen our state’s power grid.” 

Abbott will announce a new PUC chairman in the coming days, his office said.

The winter storm of 2021 resulted in the deaths of at least 246 people.

Lake was tasked with fortifying the electric grid from future weather disasters. However, Spectrum News 1 partner the Texas Tribune noted Lake’s proposal wasn’t well received by state lawmakers who favor of the construction of more fossil fuel power stations.