(KTEN) -- Gov. Greg Abbott addressed the state Wednesday night in the wake of last week's massive power failure that left more than 4.5 million Texans in the dark during unprecedented winter storms.

The extended blackout had a domino effect on municipal water systems, leaving nearly half the state's population without drinkable tap water.

Speaking from the state's Emergency Operations Center, Abbott pledged to use "every possible resource to fix this problem."

"Many of you are angry, and you have a right to be. I'm angry, too," the governor said during his five-minute remarks. "You deserve answers. You will get those answers."

Speaking slowly and deliberately, Abbott pledged that the state legislative session will not end until those answers are found.

He promised that no Texans will have their power shut off due to unpaid bills until the legislature can act on the emergency. 

He said the legislative session will not end until it finds a way to ensure that power generators are properly winterized to prevent failure in freezing weather.

"I am already working with the legislature on reforms to add more power to the grid and to ensure that we never run out of power again," the governor said.

Here is a transcript of Abbott's address:

Tragic does not even begin to describe the devastation and suffering that you have endured over the past week.

Too many of you were shivering in your own homes. No power. No heat. No water. I want to thank the countless Texans who stepped up to help those in need. As is often the case, the worst of events brings out the best in Texans.

For those of you still hurting, I want you to know the state is using every possible resource to fix this problem.

Many of you are angry, and you have a right to be. I'm angry, too. At a time when essential services were needed the most, the system broke. You deserve answers. You will get those answers.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, known as ERCOT, manages the flow of power in Texas. Before the storm hit, ERCOT repeatedly assured the state and the public that ERCOT was prepared. Those assurances turned out to be false.

We now know that power generators of all sources were not prepared for this severe winter weather. We've also learned that ERCOT operators should have acted quicker to stabilize the grid and to prevent power generators from being knocked offline.

Our task now is to take the lessons learned from the past week, as well as the anger that we all feel, and channel them into immediate action.

I made responding to the storm an emergency item in this legislative session. I am already working on solutions with the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house and the state legislature.

First is protecting you. It is outrageous for residents to be saddled with skyrocketing power bills. The state is already investigating multiple electric providers about these spikes. Also, we have ordered that Texans will not have their power shut off because of unpaid bills until the legislature has time to act on this.

Second: ERCOT must be overhauled. 

Five ERCOT board members have already resigned, including the chair and the vice chair. But more must be done.

Tomorrow, the state legislature begins comprehensive investigations of ERCOT. And I am already working with the legislature on reforms to add more power to the grid and to ensure that we never run out of power again. Also, the Office of Attorney General has launched a formal investigation into ERCOT.

Third: The fact is, power generation from all sources buckled under the harsh, freezing winter weather. That includes natural gas, coal, nuclear, as well as wind and solar. Each of these power sources failed to fully produce because of inadequate safeguards. 

That is why I have made it a legislative priority to mandate and to fund the winterization and stabilization of the Texas power infrastructure. This will protect our power grid from future winter weather events.

No words, no words can fix what happened or ease the pain that you have endured. But I assure you of this: This legislative session will not end until we fix these problems. And we will ensure that the tragic events of the past week are never repeated.

Your safety is my top concern, and I pray that God continues to bless you all.