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El Paso residents report sharp spike in gas bills after state-approved rate increase<\/p>\n
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM<\/a>) \u2014 Many El Paso residents are reporting unexpectedly high natural gas bills this month, saying the increase far exceeds what state regulators approved earlier in February.<\/p>\n The Texas Railroad Commission authorized a Texas Gas Service rate increase of\u00a0roughly 10 percent\u00a0to 19 percent earlier this month, but customers say the bills\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0seeing now\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0match what they were told to expect.<\/p>\n James, an El Paso resident, said the rising cost of basic utilities is straining household budgets.<\/p>\n \u201cAin\u2019t\u00a0no\u00a0way that you could\u00a0raise prices in gas, rent and\u00a0electric\u00a0and still expect people to live off of the minimum wage that you give us,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Several viewers\u00a0tell\u00a0KTSM\u00a0they also saw\u00a0steep jumps between their January and February bills.<\/p>\n \u201cWe used to pay around $40 when we first got our house almost six years ago,\u201d\u00a0said Arlette B.\u00a0\u201cOver the years it\u2019s increased to about $80 and this past month it was $190.\u201d<\/p>\n Another viewer, Julia S., said her monthly bill skyrocketed despite not using her heater.<\/p>\n \u201cI haven\u2019t turned on my heater, and I usually paid $45 and my bill is $160 this month,\u201d Segovia said. \u201cThat\u2019s\u00a0just ridiculous. And I\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0get a notice.\u201d<\/p>\n A spokesperson for Texas Gas Service told KTSM that multiple factors may be contributing to the higher costs, including increased usage during\u00a0cold weather, rising market prices for natural gas and changes to the company\u2019s\u00a0rate\u00a0design.<\/p>\n The utility said natural gas costs,\u00a0which are passed directly to customers,\u00a0have increased, and the new\u00a0rate\u00a0structure shifts more charges into usage-based fees, which may make winter bills appear higher.<\/p>\n The company encouraged customers with concerns to call and review their bills or explore payment arrangements. It also suggested that residents seeking more stability consider enrolling in the Average Payment Plan, which spreads costs throughout the year.<\/p>\n Energy saving tips for both the winter and summer can be found on the\u00a0utility\u2019s\u00a0website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Despite these explanations, residents say\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0being stretched thin as\u00a0electricity,\u00a0housing and food costs rise simultaneously.<\/p>\n City Council is scheduled to discuss its next steps\u00a0regarding\u00a0the gas rate increase\u00a0as well as proposed rate changes by El Paso Electric\u00a0on Monday, March 2. The items will be taken up in\u00a0Executive\u00a0Session.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n