Photo: Dave Cortez, Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter Director, addressing the Public Utility Commission of Texas, July 14, 2022.
During a week with not one but TWO (so far) emergency calls for energy conservation, Texans from across the state have started showing up at the open meetings of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC). Why? Because under Gov. Abbott, Texans are experiencing multiple simultaneous crises right now:
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Skyrocketing electricity bills
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A near-constant risk of grid failures
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Record heat & drought fueled by climate change
Some context: We’re in the middle of record-breaking Summer heat with soaring temperatures. This is the climate crisis in action, and we’re witnessing the growing threat of a potentially devastating drought. Utility bills have gone up 50% or more this Summer for millions of Texans because of over-dependence on fracked gas power plants and a failure to invest in energy efficiency.
Many Texans who wanted to share their stories in person couldn’t do it though. Most Texans can’t make the weekday trip to Austin in time to sign up to speak before 9am. So several Austinites offered to read their stories for them in front of the commissioners. And wow. These stories are real. Here are some examples that were read to the PUC Commissioners on July 14, 2022:
Rosa from Brownsville (served by AEP Texas)
“Well this has never happened to me until now, they are charging me too much, they have never charged me that much! They charged me $278, in the previous years I used to pay around $160. I'm the sole provider in my home and I'm a single mom. I can barely make it through, these bills are so expensive, and the food, and then the gas so I can go to work. They need to do something to change this situation.”
Donna from Fort Bend County (served by Centerpoint Energy)
“My bill went up since last year. My cost is $50 to $75 more a month. There have been many outages and interruptions, but we're paying more for poor service. Outages by text from May 22 - June 28. And I am on a fixed income. I’ve had many outages, so why am paying for poor service? What’s up with this? I was affected by Winter Storm Uri in 2021 and still not finished with my home. I think all of the house needs more insulation…. all walls, Because Texas needs to equip all homes for winter like the east coast and Alaska.”
Nora from Brownsville (served by AEP Texas)
“My bill is $420 and with TXU Energy, it's been affecting me economically, because I have been asking for extensions to be able to pay. The bad thing about this situation is that the three of us are not even home, we are always at work. Everything is going up, even the water, and it's coming out really dirty.”
Daniella from Houston (Served by Centerpoint Energy via Gexa)
“HUGE increase in bills. I had a black out 2 weeks ago. Was doing homework and power went out. Checked it wasn't my bill. Went to Gexa - no update. Told to go to Centerpoint. Checked Centerpoint and we were indeed out of power. I lost power for 3.5 days in February 2021. Slept in my car and burned the engine running it to stay warm. Filed for FEMA - never got help. I have issues with my bills because someone broke into my section 8 apartment and maintenance has not come to fix my window - air running and my bill has increased because [my home is] not properly insulated. My AC unit is on the ground and maintenance said they ordered a part. It's been 2 months. No part. Additionally, they have not come to replace the window. It's now also unsafe as it's rained, too.”
Agripina from Brownsville (served by Brownsville PUB)
“Please fix this urgent situation for all Texans! I have a 4 month old baby and a 10 year old. Not only do I have to worry about finding formula at the stores for my baby, but also about keeping them safe at home. I've gone to the extreme of not using my washer and dryer in an attempt to save energy and keep my house cool, and I also covered my windows with foil paper. My fridge is not currently working, the only big appliance I have running in my house is the AC and my bill is still really high compared to the previous years. It’s $343.18. Now I have to choose, do I pay the full amount of my bill, or ask for an extension so I can have leftover money to fix my fridge, or go hunting for formula. Please do something about this! - A struggling Texas mom.“
Barbara from Cleveland (TX) (served by Entergy)
“The Winter Storm has hit the elder community hard as of date. We have spent $500,000 in home repair of pipes, plumbing, flooring on over 200 plus homes alone. And we are still working on the list with over 300 more citizens, veterans, and disabled families.”
Janean Viser from Houston (Served by Centerpoint Energy via Just Energy)
“I have a light bill that is too high and I have a problem paying it. My electric company is Just Energy and my bill has been $230 or more, most of the time. I am a senior citizen and I am on a fixed income. I have a 2-bedroom and I live there with my daughter. I am trying to get some assistance with paying my light bill. It is not easy.”
Our sincerest gratitude to the people who shared their stories, and to the people who read them to the Commissioners. Our Chapter Director, Dave Cortez, also addressed the Commissioners sharing that many Texans have reached out to us asking for help and guidance because wealthy utility companies have done a poor job of helping customers understand their bill. Energy Consultant Jen Crager also relayed a similar sentiment:
Gov. Abbott, the Texas Legislature, and utilities across the state have done little to require bigger investments in expanding weatherization and energy efficiency programs that serve the most vulnerable. Energy efficiency means insulation in attics and walls and installing efficient lighting, windows, appliances, and programmable thermostats. It can also include rebates for more efficient HVAC or heat pump systems. This means we need less energy, both individually and collectively, and can reduce bills and our reliance on dirty coal and gas.
What Can You Do?
This Summer, the PUC is expected to approve extremely weak plans by major energy utilities like Oncor, Entergy, Centerpoint, and AEP for their energy efficiency programs. Utilities are essentially telling the public they are totally fine with doing little to expand energy efficiency for everyday Texans. Energy efficiency demand reductions and savings would remain the same if the PUC approves these plans. Even worse, the utilities are asking for giant bonuses that equal roughly a third of the proposed budgets just for exceeding their modest goals.
With these conditions continuing through our record-breaking Summer, here are five things you can do:
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Protect and look out for yourself, your family, and your neighbors. Make sure their needs are met.
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Organize! Connect with other Texans to focus our collective anger towards Gov. Abbott and the Public Utilities Commission.
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Reflect and remember your story of living through the winter storm and the new normal of wondering if the power will go out.
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Sign our petition at bit.ly/fixthegridTX.
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Speak out in person at the next PUC meeting in Austin on Aug 25th at 9am (we can connect you with a volunteer in Austin if you can’t make it). Stay tuned for more info!