What Winter Weather Reveals About Energy, Training, and ReadinessJanuary 26, 2026

By Erick Gutierrez, Applied Science Department Chair, Professor, Midland College

As this winter storm moves through Texas and begins to wind down, many of us are taking stock of how we made it through. We checked weather apps more than once. We layered up. We hoped the power stayed on and the heat kept running. (And some of us ate through our snowstorm snacks before the first day was up.)

For most people, that is where the story ends.

Behind the scenes, however, this storm has once again reminded us how much depends on reliable, dispatchable energy and on the people who keep it running. Based on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) dashboard data during peak demand and analysis from energy analyst David Blackmon, natural gas supplied roughly 60% of total power generation on the ERCOT grid during the harshest conditions of the storm.

That reliability did not happen by chance. It happened because systems worked and because trained professionals were ready when conditions were at their worst.

Those professionals were not watching the storm from home. They were monitoring equipment, responding to alerts, and making real-time decisions in cold, high-pressure environments where mistakes are not an option.

What It Takes When the Weather Turns
Picture a natural gas compression site during a hard freeze. Demand is high. Temperatures are low. Equipment is under stress. A technician may be called in overnight to diagnose a fault, interpret control panels, or adjust systems to keep gas moving safely through the line. These are not textbook scenarios. They are real situations that require preparation, experience, and confidence.

This is the kind of work our students are training for.

At Midland College, the Natural Gas Compression program is designed with these realities in mind. Our Associate of Applied Science degree focuses on hands-on, practical training that reflects the conditions graduates will face in the field.

Students learn electronics fundamentals, panel and skid diagram interpretation, emission control systems, and electric motor drives. Just as importantly, they are trained in Health, Safety, and Environmental procedures that protect workers, facilities, and communities during high-risk conditions like the ones we have just experienced.

A Commitment to Training and Student Success
World-class technical training means preparing students for moments that matter, not just ideal conditions. At Midland College, we are committed to student success by ensuring our programs align with real workforce needs and real expectations.

Our faculty brings industry experience into the classroom. Students gain hands-on experience with equipment they will encounter on the job. By the time they graduate, they understand both the technical demands of the work and the responsibility that comes with it.

As this storm passes and normal routines return, it is worth remembering that energy reliability is never guaranteed. It is built and maintained by skilled professionals who are ready when conditions are at their worst.

At Midland College, we are proud to prepare students for that responsibility and to help build the workforce that keeps our communities running, not just on calm days, but through storms like this one.

Learn more about MC's award-winning National Gas Compression program.