“When I’m trying to get gas and groceries and make sure my pipes don’t burst, the last thing I think of is my utility company’s bill of 7,000,” Apsho told CNN’s Frederica Whitfield via Skype Saturday.
It also gives customers a way to use the emergency provider if their current provider is not available, but it is likely that the program does not apply to people who have voluntarily changed their electricity company.
CNN PUCT for clarification. Reached but did not hear back immediately.
Government of Texas. Greg Abbott called an emergency meeting to investigate the situation, he said in a statement.
“It is unacceptable for Texans to endure days in the freezing cold without electricity or heat,” he said. “To save families, I am actively working with the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House and members of the legislature to ensure that Texans are not on the hook for unreasonable spikes in their energy bill.”
Apsho told CNN that he tried to move from Gridi to another electric provider, but the new company kept pushing its start date.
Gridi charges the customer a market rate that varies depending on the current electricity price. Its website says consumers “pay the same price as we buy electricity.” But a winter storm wreaked havoc on Texas’ power grid, setting the price for the grid.
“When we value our members, we want what is best for their wallet and family, even though the company said it would help them outperform their competitors,” the company said.
At the moment, a Dallas resident, Apashhaw, has switched his credit card to a file with Gridi to make sure no more can be charged. Even though they are defending power, their bill continues to rise, he said.
Neighbors and friends who had accounts with Gridi told Apsho that “their entire checking account is knocked out, they have gone to their savings account, they can’t pay their rent,” he said.
“Our friends who have hours without power (who have come to my house), and I said, I mean we’re paying for this electricity, others can use it,” Apsho said. She is thankful that she is alive and well.
The state agency says it is “working closely with gas producers, pipeline operators and electric regulators to provide the necessary assistance for the distribution of natural gas.”
According to the group’s website, despite being established as a railways regulator, the commission has been regulating the oil and gas industry in the state for almost 100 years.
Commissioner Wayne Christian said in a statement that text people have gone through enough hardships during this winter’s hurricane. “Our agency will ensure that there will be plenty of time in the utilities to curb these unforeseen costs, so everything will be done in our power, so as not to impose undue burden on customers.”
CNN’s Melissa Mehta and Adrian Vogue contributed to this report.
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