Did Brownwood's Republican Politicians stand with Brownwood's POOR, EDERLY, & ILL ? The question not being asked by Brownwood's "HAPPY TALK" Media ?
Agreement may keep the power on this summer
PUC tentatively OKs proposal to prohibit shut-offs for needy
By Ken Ellsworth / ellsworthk@repoternews.com
July 21, 2006
The Public Utility Commission of Texas on Thursday tentatively agreed to restrict electric providers from cutting power to some needy customers, possibly bringing cooling relief to many Big Country electricity consumers.
The agreement may also bring some relief to the pocketbooks of needy ill local residents who have fallen behind with their electricity payments. And it may bring relief to local agencies and people working to prevent residential electric shut-downs.
The decision may help people who are coming into the Community Action Program to get help paying their electric bills.
''This is the worst summer I've seen and I've been here nine years,'' said Norma Garcia, CAP's comprehensive energy assistant program director.
The three-person commission was expected to approve a proposal on Friday that would prohibit power shut-offs through the end of September for low-income, elderly customers and those with serious medical needs, agency spokesman Terry Hadley said.
Poor customers who are less than 65 years old would be eligible for a wider variety of deferred payment plans that could extend some payment deadlines until January, he said.
Twenty-six state lawmakers joined advocates for the poor and elderly in asking the commission to ensure that seniors, people with medical needs and people who pay at least part of their bills have service until Oct. 1.
AARP and other consumer advocate groups petitioned the Texas Public Utilities Commission to prevent electric providers from cutting off power to the elderly, poor and sick who cannot pay their electric bills.
Hot weather and higher fuel costs are being blamed for doubling and even tripling the costs of electricity in some households. The commission approved similar measures in 1998 and 2000.
The problem was exacerbated in 2005 when the state raised $427 million in taxes on consumers' electric bills to deal with the problem, but the Legislature used the money to balance the budget instead.
Most of the power providers for Abilene already have programs in place to alleviate families in dire situations, but advocates for the PUC ruling say that the programs are inadequate. Abilene's major suppliers are WTU Energy, Reliant Energy, and TXU Energy.
WTU and TXU work with the local Community Action Program, 774 China St., where people may apply for assistance with their electric bills. People in need should come to the agency to fill out eligibility forms rather than calling, Garcia said. Eligibility can be determined in about 45 minutes, she said.
Applicants have reached record numbers this year. The agency has been getting about 20 applications a day. More people than that have been showing up for help, but the agency's staff is not sufficient to handle all of the applicants' requests for help, Garcia said.
''People who are living on $600 a month with Social Security just can't pay $300, $400 and even $500 electric bills,'' Garcia said. ''Then they can't pay for their prescriptions and they skimp on food and that makes them get worse if they are ill.''
CAP, which also pays for air conditioning repairs, is funded mostly by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, Garcia said.
TXU's policy does not allow electricity shutoffs if the National Weather Service issues a heat advisory. The anti-shutdowns extend two days beyond the last day of the warning, said Sophie Stoller.
In addition, TXU has set aside $15 million for three years to deal with energy emergencies, she said. In its bills, the company solicits donations for people in need.
''The company matches the donations dollar for dollar,'' Stoller said. ''And we don't cut off electricity to home where there are critical care residents.''
WTU sponsors a Neighbor-to-Neighbor Program.
''For every donation you make, we'll match it dollar for dollar,'' its Web site states.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
source: http://www.reporter-news.com/abil/nw_local/article/0,1874,ABIL_7959_4859717,00.html
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Note from Steve Harris,
I did not find Brownwood's Republican Politicians on this list. I'll now attempt to contact their offices. Whose interests are the Brownwood Republican Politicians representing ?
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