A new survey shows one in three Texans now spends 7% or more of their household income on electricity during the summer.<\/p>\n
That’s according to a new survey by the University of Houston and Texas Southern University<\/a>, which polled 1,650 Texans, found that energy costs not only are rising but also specifically hurt low-income and minority Texans.<\/p>\n The survey shows the average monthly summer bill in Texas is $168, and nearly 45% of Texans pay more than $200 per month for electricity.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The survey also shows 19% of Texans reported having to choose between paying for energy or essentials like food, medicine, or rent.<\/p>\n The hardship rates were higher among Black and Hispanic Texans than their white and Asian counterparts, and, according to the survey, more than 1\/3 of Texans who make under $30,000 a year live in homes older than 40 years, which can lack insulation.<\/p>\n For more on this story, follow Pooja Lodhia on Facebook<\/a>,X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n