Houstonians report difficulties paying energy bills, UH Hobby School survey finds
A survey by the University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs found that nearly one in eight Houstonians face a high financial burden from energy costs, with 46% struggling to pay an energy bill in the last year. Residents also expressed concerns about grid reliability due to past blackouts and growing demand from data center expansion in Texas. There is bipartisan interest in balancing data center growth with electricity reliability.
A new survey conducted by the University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs revealed that approximately one in eight Houston households experience a significant financial strain from energy expenses, defined as spending over 10% of their annual income on electricity and natural gas. Gail Buttorff, an associate director for the Hobby School's Center for Public Policy, noted that 46% of respondents struggled to pay an energy bill at least once in the past year, indicating a widespread problem. Low-income households are particularly affected, often residing in less energy-efficient homes.
Beyond financial burden, the survey highlighted widespread concerns about grid reliability among residents. Houston has experienced several major blackouts during extreme weather events in recent years. Buttorff pointed out that demand on the Texas grid is increasing, partly due to the expansion of data centers across the state, and suggested a bipartisan interest in balancing this growth with maintaining a reliable and affordable electricity supply.