HOUSTON, Texas — The former CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) said that his order to keep power prices at the maximum during last year's winter storm was issued at the direction of Gov. Greg Abbott, according to a report by the Houston Chronicle.

Former ERCOT CEO Bill Magness testified in court Wednesday, saying that former Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) Chairman DeAnn Walker told him that Abbott wanted them to do whatever was necessary to prevent more blackouts during the storm, even as power plants were coming back online.