Texas officials block providers from disconnecting utilities for nonpayment Chron 2/22/2021 © Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Gov. Greg Abbott said he and other state leaders are working fast to find solutions for homeowners and renters facing steep electricity bills after a winter storm left many Texans without power for days.
After Abbott convened what his office described as an emergency meeting Saturday with lawmakers to discuss the issue, the Public Utility Commission on Sunday met to sign two orders, including one that would direct energy providers to temporarily stop disconnecting customers from power or water because they have not paid.
The commission also signed an order to stop companies from sending invoices or bill estimates to customers “until we work through issues of how we are going to financially manage the situation we are in,” commission Chair DeAnn Walker said.
Gov Greg Abbott says state leaders are moving to alleviate massive energy bills following winter storm
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Prohíbe gobernador desconexión de servicios
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Texas officials hold emergency meeting to address energy bill spikes
By FOX 7 Austin Digital Team
Published
AUSTIN, Texas - State officials held an emergency meeting Saturday to discuss the spike in energy bills affecting many Texans after power outages across the state this week.
Gov. Greg Abbott called the meeting with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, and several members of the Texas Legislature.
Gov. Greg Abbott outlined five focus points for the days ahead, including investigating ERCOT.
We have a responsibility to protect Texans from spikes in their energy bills that are a result of the severe winter weather and power outages, said Abbott. Today’s meeting was productive, and I applaud Republican and Democrat members of the Legislature for putting aside partisan politics to work together on this challenge. We are moving quickly to alleviate this problem and will continue to work collaboratively throughout this week on solutions to help Texas fami