In the aftermath of the historic cold weather conditions in the state of Texas many residents have been left with huge power bills, with some reaching as much as $17,000.
The reason for the huge bills is not just down to individuals using more electricity in order to heat their homes, but due to the way in which electricity prices are managed in the state. Within Texas, electricity prices are highly fluid and change with the amount that is being demanded at any one time. During the freezing temperatures when demand was high, it is reported that the wholesale electricity price rose by 10,000 per cent. Due to the rapid change in price, many electricity users were also unaware of how much money they were spending.
One company, Griddy, saw electricity prices rise from just $50 per megawatt hour to an astonishing $9,000 per megawatt hour.
Jose Del Rio of Haltom City was one of those hit by an astronomical bill. His typical bill was around $125 to $150 a month, but he has now been hit with a bill for over $3,000 for just two weeks of electricity. He said:
"If worse comes to worst, I have the ability to put it on a credit card or figure something out. There is no one living in that house. All the lights are off. But I have the air at 60 because I don't want the pipes to freeze."
Another couple, Kat and Tony, tweeted:
"When your electric company tells you to switch but there has been a hold on switching for over a week now. Using as little as possible 1300 sq ft house and this is my bill. How is this fair. I only paid $1200 for the whole 2020 year."
When your electric company tells you to switch but there has been a hold on switching for over a week now. Using as little as possible 1300 sq ft house and this is my bill. . How is this fair. I only paid $1200 for the whole 2020 year @FoxNews @wfaa @tedcruz @GovAbbott pic.twitter.com/AylTS4m0j4
— kat and tony (@katandtonyT) February 18, 2021
The wintry weather hitting Texas is the coldest the state has been in decades and has had a devastating impact with snow and ice taking down power lines and cutting off the water supply to many homes. Around 4.5 million homes and businesses were without power at the peak of the crisis. Around 13 million are currently facing disruption to their water supply. Authorities have asked individuals to boil water before consuming it in order to kill any harmful contaminants.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz sparked outrage earlier in the week after it was revealed that he had flown to Mexico by private plane in order to avoid the cold weather instead of remaining in the state to help oversee the crisis.
[h/t: NBC news]
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