In the Texas Blackout $2021$ case study, we learned that the Texas state government, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas $($ERCOT$),$ and the utility companies knew that the electricity generation and distribution system $($that is$,$ the power grid$)$ had failed in extreme cold weather conditions in $1989$ and $2011$ causing major power outages.

Neither Texas regulators nor ERCOT imposed any requirements on the utility companies to winterize their systems, insulate their production lines or take any other measures to ensure that they could produce electricity in subfreezing temperatures.

In February $2021$ when a severe winter storm hit Texas and the surrounding states, Texas experienced another major power outage leaving millions of residents and businesses without power for days. More than $70$ deaths were associated with the cold weather and resulting electric grid failure.

What ethical conflict did the utility companies face after each power outage?

penalty fines by ERCOT for not winterizing versus profits for charging larger fees to customers during winter storms

cost savings for not investing in a winterization plan versus the tax relief offered by Texas regulators for winterizing the electricity generator and distribution system

the significant cost of winterization for a problem that may not occur for another $10$ years versus the pain and suffering of millions of customers who lose electricity when these power outages occur

there was no ethical conflict because the outages only happened every $10$ years or more