TYLER, Texas (KLTV) — Electric bills tend to be a bit higher when it’s more than 100 degrees out, but East Texans have already been seeing a rise in electricity costs for several years.
Texas energy providers have not been immune to the rising prices seen across the U.S. economy. As infrastructure becomes more costly to maintain and grow, Texas residents have seen a substantial increase in their monthly bills. These costs have only been worsened by data center projects that are taking a staggering portion of Texas’ electricity capacity.
“We are seeing people come in with bills that are 6, 7, 800 dollars and are really struggling to pay them,” said Andrea Wilson- Lobaugh, the executive director of PATH in Tyler.
Data from ElectricChoice shows Texas rates have risen around 40% since 2020, with an average residential rate of 11.50¢ per kWh up to 16.11¢ per kWh.
“We’re about 25 to 30% lower than the national average here at SWEPCO,” said Mark Robinson, the power company’s external affairs manager. “But everything has become more expensive, as everyone is painfully aware of. And so we see from wire to infrastructure, transmission facilities, substation facilities, everything’s increased in price, and so that does impact our bill.”
Providers across the state are also working on continued infrastructure improvements, mandated after the winter storm of 2021. Some of those costs are passed onto customers.
SWECPO and many providers have billing plans that can help lower the impact of winter and summer peaks.
“We can help you blow in insulation inside of your attic, seal windows, check your HVAC,” said Robinson. “There are even rebates for lighting, or if you need to replace your HVAC.”
Bills are rising as the state works to manage data centers and their impact on the grid. Last week, Governor Abbott ordered a pause on all new connections until a state audit is complete.
Abbott’s office say ERCOT is tracking 474 gigawatts of connection requests, 90% of which are data centers. That’s more than five times the current peak demand of the grid.
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