Texas leads nation in utility shutoffs as electric bills rise, federal report finds

Texas recorded more residential electricity shutoffs than any other state in 2024, with over 3 million disconnections, according to a new federal report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. This figure represents 22.5% of all national electricity disconnections, despite Texans making up only about 9% of the nation's electricity customers. Margo Weisz, executive director of the Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute (TEPRI), highlighted that low- and moderate-income Texans are particularly affected, with many cutting back on essential needs to pay energy bills. TEPRI's affordability outlook indicates a roughly 30% increase in residential electricity prices in the ERCOT competitive retail market between 2021 and 2025, adding $35 to $40 monthly to household bills. Another 29% increase is projected from 2025 to 2030. These rising costs and the need for significant transmission and distribution investments are attributed to Texas's rapid population growth, extreme weather demands, grid hardening efforts post-2021 winter blackout, and a surge in large electricity users. This includes data centers, crypto mining, and other industrial operations, which are putting increased strain on the ERCOT grid.