Here is a price per kilowatt avg. around the United States.
Texas 10.52
National Average 9.47
As a result, residential consumers have paid $700 million more than they would have if these two companies had lowered their standard rate to reflect declining natural gas prices.
"These outrageous electric bills demonstrate that just because we reside in a state that allows competition doesn’t mean we can count on electric bills dropping if fuel costs decline," said Smith. "It shows why the legislature needs to take action and foreshadows yet another failure of the market – even if the proposed coal plants were to be built, the cost of electricity may not decline."
Rep. Sylvester Turner of Houston tried to provide relief from skyrocketing electric rates b y filing House Bills 31 and 32. HB 31 would have clarified that the PUC had the authority to lower the fuel factor, which is the calculation that determines how much utilities can charge. This would have drastically reduced the price of electricity for all consumers. HB 32 would have restored the system benefit fund, which would have given low-income customers 10 to 20 percent relief from their high electric bills.
Although the need to protect consumers’ pocketbooks and ensure that electric rates reflected current natural gas prices was abundantly clear, Perry never added either of these measures to the special session call, killing this effort.
HB 31-Relating to adjusting the "price to beat" for electric utility services to reflect reduced natural gas fuel prices.
Primary Author Date Filed
Turner 04/17/2006
Joint Authors Date Signed On
Edwards 04/18/2006
Giddings 04/18/2006
Smith, Todd 04/21/2006
Coauthors (10) Date Signed On
Allen, Alma 04/19/2006
Burnam 04/19/2006
Dawson 05/10/2006
Gonzalez Toureilles 05/09/2006
Guillen 04/19/2006
Herrero 04/19/2006
Hodge 04/21/2006
Leibowitz 04/19/2006
Naishtat 05/09/2006
Vo 05/09/2006
As you can see! Aaron Pena is not on the list. He likes high electricity rates.
HB32-Relating to the system benefit fund and to eligibility for and enrollment for benefits under the fund.
Primary Author Date Filed
Turner 04/17/2006
Joint Authors Date Signed On
Bohac 04/21/2006
Edwards 04/18/2006
Giddings 04/18/2006
Smith, Todd 04/21/2006
Coauthors (14) Date Signed On
Allen, Alma 04/19/2006
Anderson 05/08/2006
Bonnen 05/12/2006
Burnam 04/19/2006
Eiland 05/11/2006
Gonzalez Toureilles 05/09/2006
Guillen 04/19/2006
Harper-Brown 05/11/2006
Herrero 04/19/2006
Hodge 04/21/2006
Leibowitz 04/19/2006
Naishtat 05/09/2006
Taylor 05/11/2006
Vo 05/09/2006
Again, NO Aaron Pena.
Dist. 40 deserves MORE! At least Eddie will fight for us. Aaron just wants to take money from these companies. In exchange for higher electricity rates.
