Report: Even With Excessive Profits, Gas Utilities Hike Rates

In Texas, gas utilities already reporting excessive profits frequently seek permission to charge their customers even more. But rather than rejecting those requests outright, regulators typically green light them with almost no questions asked. That dramatic finding,...

BLOG: TCCFUI Applauds Hike & Bike Legislation

The Texas Legislature this year considered more than 6,600 bills. Of those, more than 5,800 died quiet deaths. Among the improbable survivors, however, was a bill our coalition supported — House Bill 931 — that we believe will lead to more hike-and-bike trails...

BLOG: 85th Texas Legislature Update

The last day of the 85th Texas Legislature is Monday, Memorial Day. The Texas Coalition of Cities for Utility Issues has been following scores of bills. Here’s a quick update on a few of the more important ones.   House Bill 931, if signed into law by Gov. Greg...

BLOG: Pro-Consumer Legislation Advances

Although an important bill assistance program has ended, low-income ratepayers should continue to have access to other important protections thanks to legislation now pending in Austin. Sponsored by state Sen. John Whitmire and Rep. Chris Paddie, Senate Bill 1976 is...

BLOG: ERCOT Establishes New “Risk Desk”

When it comes to producing wind power, Texas beats California, Oklahoma and Iowa — combined. If Texas were its own country, it would be the fourth largest wind producer in the world. But with all that wind energy also comes reliability challenges. In response,...