Primary Department: Commissioner, Precinct 1
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Commissioner Rodney Ellis
Secondary Department: Choose an item.
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Resolution
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Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
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Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Request by the Commissioner of Precinct 1 for approval of a resolution to support HB1359 and SB1513 that would help reduce the cost of electricity for low-income Texans.
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Background and Discussion:
HB1359 filed by Rep. Ana Hernandez SB1513 filed by Sen. Nathan Johnson would develop a new fund to reduce the cost of retail electricity for low-income Texans. This is modeled after a greater than 20-year legislative effort originally led by The Honorable Sylvester Turner who fought to reduce the cost of electricity through a reserve fund. These bills would re-establish financial support by using funds appropriated by the Texas Legislature.
Sen. Johnson said a new fund is needed because electricity rates are "not likely to fall back to previous levels.
Utilities want to charge customers more than ever for disaster-related costs, while pitching historically expensive plans to strengthen their power infrastructure from worsening extreme weather. Plus, the already-strained power grid will need to be expanded to accommodate unprecedented growth from data centers and other power-intensive facilities.
Everyday residents and small businesses continue to face rising electricity costs. This bill could eventually reduce bills by over 25%.
Expected Impact: Reduce the rising costs of electric bills for...
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