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

[Climber]

JUST for this situation or should that be the deciding factor on everything else where a state rejects federal regulation also?

In this situation they not only dumped federal regulation but they completely deregulated it. That combination assured that price gouging was going to happen. Deregulation has never, in my experience, been beneficial for the customers, it always heavily favors the companies regardless of how it always gets sold.

 

[KooLaid]

There HAS to be something written into state or federal law regarding price gouging during a state of emergency though. I remember in the news last year Fresno stores getting hit with fines over the price of toilet paper alone.

 

[GAJ]

JUST for this situation or should that be the deciding factor on everything else where a state rejects federal regulation also?

As has been pointed out, Texas had the "answer" in 2011 which was an investment in winterizing their grid.

They chose not to.

At least 25 percent of customers were on variable wholesale pricing plans it seems.

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/...hat-to-expect-for-your-next-electricity-bill/

This article suggests some Texas leaders think Texas should pay the piper.

It will be interesting how this falls out but aid has been approved.

The declaration states that "assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster."

https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/21/politics/texas-utility-bills-michael-mccaul-cnntv/index.html

 

[Eldritch]

JUST for this situation or should that be the deciding factor on everything else where a state rejects federal regulation also?

Yes.

There HAS to be something written into state or federal law regarding price gouging during a state of emergency though. I remember in the news last year Fresno stores getting hit with fines over the price of toilet paper alone.

Does there though? Does there?

 

[wazzuFreddo]

There HAS to be something written into state or federal law regarding price gouging during a state of emergency though. I remember in the news last year Fresno stores getting hit with fines over the price of toilet paper alone.

There is, but an energy producer could most likely point at the spot price on the natural gas market and/or the forward electricity markets and go "I'm simply passing on my costs."

 

[CABilly]

JUST for this situation or should that be the deciding factor on everything else where a state rejects federal regulation also?

I’d say so in most cases. What else do you have in mind?

Like others have said, I’d accept a judgment waiving bills rather than simply giving taxpayer dollars to gougers.

But, what, do cowboy boots not have straps?

 

[Climber]

There is, but an energy producer could most likely point at the spot price on the natural gas market and/or the forward electricity markets and go "I'm simply passing on my costs."

At some level, somebody was making a short term shitload of money exploiting the situation.

Texas has a bunch of laws unique to Texas where their companies have a big advantage as a result.

 

[UDRider]

I was surprised to learn they had enforceable non-compete clause.

 

[KooLaid]

I’d say so in most cases. What else do you have in mind?

Like others have said, I’d accept a judgment waiving bills rather than simply giving taxpayer dollars to gougers.

But, what, do cowboy boots not have straps?

My dressy like Ariats do not actually have straps. Neither do my Bates work boots but they do have laces and a side zipper, crazy comfortable actually. I surprise myself sometimes when I know I'll be heading up to the ranch for a little while and I'll throw my tactical work boots on to work around the bikes instead of my Nike Airmax and realize how damn comfy they actually are.

I was thinking they could do the California thing and just pass the costs on to every single consumer. I've noticed that my PGE bill is like an xtra $50-$75 higher every month since....fall. I just haven't looked into it but can't figure out why.

 

[Climber]

My dressy like Ariats do not actually have straps. Neither do my Bates work boots but they do have laces and a side zipper, crazy comfortable actually. I surprise myself sometimes when I know I'll be heading up to the ranch for a little while and I'll throw my tactical work boots on to work around the bikes instead of my Nike Airmax and realize how damn comfy they actually are.

I was thinking they could do the California thing and just pass the costs on to every single consumer. I've noticed that my PGE bill is like an xtra $50-$75 higher every month since....fall. I just haven't looked into it but can't figure out why.

Rate increases, they've got to maintain PG&E's profit margin.

In court, the lawyers fees aren't calculated by what people do but rather by the ability of one party over the other to pay. The lawyers HAVE TO BE PAID, which is the most significant factor. In this case, the companies HAVE TO BE PAID, regardless of their behavior.

 

[KooLaid]

In this case, the companies HAVE TO BE PAID, regardless of their behavior.

Too big to fail.

 

[Abacinator]

Lol none of the customers are going to pay those outrageous bills

 

[GAJ]

Texas itself should bail out the citizens.

Notice there is no news of citizens having the same issue in Louisiana, Arkansas or Oklahoma next door in terms of electric bills.