Should the Federal government help Texans hit by extremely high energy bills?

[Climber]

Texans slammed by thousand-dollar power bills after storm

Astrein is one of a swath of consumers facing sky-high payments after the storm, with many posting electricity bills as high as $8,000 on social media. According to their screenshots, most are customers of Griddy, a supplier with a unique business model.

Personally, I don't think so, while the storm was an act of nature, but the extremely high prices were an act of greed.

 

[Yakoo752]

Nope, they accepted the terms of the contract.

 

[dravnx]

You sign on the dotted line,you accept the terms of the contract.

 

[Lucky Jones]

for a WEEK'S usage.

 

[Karbon]

Depends. I'd imagine most all if not most of the customers/consumers aren't in a truly free-market economy. Maybe if you own one dwelling/place and make a certain income you should get some relief. But, if you own several properties which are kept vacant maybe no aid.

If anything the power co shouldn't be comped. Fuck em.

 

[mlm]

Something will happen, and pushing this all on consumers is wrong. Any relief should be tied to Texas agreeing to follow national regulations.

 

[Eldritch]

I think Federally, No, because it isn't Federal Business, but certainly I think the state needs to get involved in this bad deal and find a path to correction.

 

[bojangle]

I think Federally, No, because it isn't Federal Business, but certainly I think the state needs to get involved in this bad deal and find a path to correction.

This.

Texas has it's own power grid because the state has rebelled against conforming with Federal regulations abs such. Not a Federal issue.

Now, the state should provide some help. That's some kinda fucked up contract.

 

[GAJ]

The Governor wants to use the Federal Emergency Relief money to pay the electricity bills for those who for years have paid slightly lower rates by opting for market rate electricity.

We'll see how well that goes over with those who paid a little more for a fixed rate in Texas.

Here's a link crowing about the benefits of deregulation in Texas a few years back.

A recent report from the Department of Energy showed that on average, Texans paid less for electricity for the second straight year in a row.

According to the Houston Chronical, the overall price of electricity in Texas fell six times more than the US average during the first half of 2016.

In terms of percentages, this means that Texas electricity rates dropped 6% compared to the 1% decrease the rest of the nation experienced.

The average Texan electricity consumer paid only 11 cents per kWh, while the rest of the consumers living in other states paid (on average), 12.4 cents per kWh.

https://www.electricchoice.com/blog/...ional-average/

 

[UDRider]

Lol. All that talk about "personal responsibility" and "being independent" over sudden forgotten when shit hits the fan. After the bail out it will be back to "personal responsibility" like nothing has happened.

 

[GAJ]

Lol. All that talk about "personal responsibility" and "being independent" over sudden forgotten when shit hits the fan. After the bail out it will be back to "personal responsibility" like nothing has happened.

My relatives in Texas, all who chose fixed rate, are not happy that there are moves afoot to bail out the gamblers who up until now have been telling the fixed rate folks they are fools.

 

[Wolf]

Wonder if there's any laws surrounding price gouging/profiteering during a disaster whereby the energy providers cannot increase rates drastically.

That's where the correction should be made.... having the rates reverted back to standard at the power generator, rather than trying to find ways to pay/subsidize the higher bills.

 

[cheez]

Yes. By mandating that energy suppliers cut the rates they charged during these peak pricing events under anti-gouging law.

 

[wazzuFreddo]

lol, I could probably write a PhD thesis on what has gone on in Texas.

Do I have thoughts? Yes. Lots of thoughts. :laughing

Could I competently explain them in web forum format? No :laughing :laughing

 

[Mike95060]

lol, I could probably write a PhD thesis on what has gone on in Texas.

Do I have thoughts? Yes. Lots of thoughts. :laughing

Could I competently explain them in web forum format? No :laughing :laughing

Make a youtube video and I will watch. :thumbup

 

[wazzuFreddo]

This.

Texas has it's own power grid because the state has rebelled against conforming with Federal regulations abs such. Not a Federal issue.

Now, the state should provide some help. That's some kinda fucked up contract.

Pretty much this, they want the upside of federal regulation without any of the downsides? Gettoutahere :rofl

 

[Climber]

Privatize profits, socialize excessive bills.

 

[mercurial]

Knowing basically nothing about the contracts in play here or Texas state law (presumably will bias strongly towards contract enforcement), still seems like there is a variety of defenses for customers to not pay the full ticket. Doctrine of impossibility, unconscionability, deemed unenforceable for reason of public policy. All of these have nuances but may be applicable and can be selectively applied in those instances where people lack the means to pay their bill. For those who have the money, fuck em, they took the risk now pay up you John Galt motherf'ers.

 

[PorradaVFR]

I’m inclined to be altruistic because people are legitimately suffering and the rates being charged are insane...but I don’t want my tax dollars going in the pocket of a private utility because they failed to prepare properly and deliberately avoided regulatory measures that would have prevented it.

Help people? Sure. Help the greedy utilities? Hell no. They wanted to bet...they came up snake eyes. Too bad.

 

[Eldritch]

I’m inclined to be altruistic because people are legitimately suffering and the rates being charged are insane...but I don’t want my tax dollars going in the pocket of a private utility because they failed to prepare properly and deliberately avoided regulatory measures that would have prevented it.

Help people? Sure. Help the greedy utilities? Hell no. They wanted to bet...they came up snake eyes. Too bad.

I think this situation is newer in Texas than here. What ERCOT really needs to do is blow up a town and kill some people, just to show Texas they are not fucking around. Then just annually burn down half of Texas and kill a bunch more people every year. Once the State knows they are not to be fucked with, that way they can just declare bankruptcy and get relief from the State and they won't have to fix any infrastructure.

That's Gangsta.