Some Houston families say keeping the lights on is becoming harder to afford. Celeste Crutchfield said the costs have reached a point where they are unaffordable. University of Houston energy expert Ramanan Krishnamoorti said electricity prices have risen about 40% over the past five years.
Gina Hinojosa, who was elected Texas governor, campaigned on making electricity more affordable. Her plan calls for freezing residential rates and requiring large electricity users, including data centers, to pay their fair share of grid costs. Cecily Crutchfield said her family welcomes the goal but wants to see whether Hinojosa follows through.
The governor cannot simply order rates lower. The Public Utility Commission of Texas regulates key parts of the market, and changing how large users pay could require state lawmakers to act. Krishnamoorti said the governor can still use her line-item veto power over budget items to press lawmakers on her priorities.