The families that saw their bills skyrocket were reportedly on variable rate plans with Griddy, an electricity supplier in the state.
Griddy recommended that customers switch to a different provider this week, warning them to find fixed-rate plans, as he anticipated the increase in the cost of electricity due to increased demand. But many customers who tried to change said that other companies would not accept new customers until weeks into the future, leaving them stuck with their high bills.
Ty Williams told the WFAA in Dallas that he usually spends $ 660 on his home, guesthouse and office electricity bills every month. Your new bill after the rate peak exceeded $ 17,000.
He told the establishment that he was finally able to switch to another provider and that he hoped to find a way to pay his huge bill. But Williams described the situation as “being held hostage and there is nothing you can do about it”.
Some groups, such as Reliant Energy, say they are willing to work with customers and offer flexible bill payment options after the storm.
The increase in people’s bills was due to the growing demand for energy during freezing conditions, which overburdened the unprepared Texas Electric Reliability Council, which manages energy for about 90% of the state. This demand raised the price of energy, but only those with variable rates saw their accounts directly impacted.
This meant that, while millions were without power, variable-rate electricity consumers who still had electricity saw their bills skyrocket. The WFAA noted that variable rate plans are more rare than fixed rate plans in the state.
The Texas news adds to the aftermath of snowstorms, which left at least 47 people dead, left millions without power and even injured thousands of sea turtles.