ELECTRICITY

Twenty-eight days of triple-digit heat so far this season means ACs are working overtime. Some simple things can help you use less electricity and manage those scorching bills.

As a proposed CPS Energy rate increase heads to the San Antonio City Council for a vote this week, some customers are saying not so fast. Many who left in the dark during last year’s winter storm are asking why utility leaders aren’t taking a pay cut instead.

Senate bills 2 and 3 were heralded by Texas Gov. Abbott as the antidote to February’s deadly power outages. Here’s what they do.

Parts of the U.S. have been experiencing sweltering summer-like temperatures.

SAN ANTONIO – CPS Energy and its customers could be facing a $1 billion bill for February’s weather-related power crisis, though utility officials say they are doing what they can to protect customers. Gold-Williams said CPS would pursue regulatory assistance and help from elected officials to avoid customers shouldering that load. And then we will use every other tool in our toolbox to work to get this cost down,” Gold-Williams said. AdGold-Williams has previously said CPS would look to spread the cost to customers out over 10 years or more. AdTrustees also voted Monday to order an independent review of CPS’s preparedness, communication, and response regarding the power crisis.

We need the electricity, but we need the water too, and there’s no way for us to dialyze,” Allen said. AdThe effects of the winter storm on the electrical grid this week have CPS Energy and other Texas energy providers overwhelmed. CPS Energy President and CEO Paula Gold-Williams said the energy supply during the winter storm couldn’t meet the demand. She said a third of the system would not be taking down as it’s a critical circuit. Concerns about SAWS pumps taken off the critical circuit have dialysis patients like Allen in distress with no access to water.

Update ( Tuesday 1 p.m. ):The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) directed local utilities to restore power to thousands of Texans who have been stuck in the dark and in freezing temperatures for hours. Despite the increase in availability, millions of Texans still do not have power and went through the night in frigid cold. “The Electric Reliability Council of Texas has been anything but reliable over the past 48 hours,” Abbott said. Update (5 p.m.): The Electric Reliability Council of Texas says that crews are beginning to restore some of the power lost due to the snowstorm. “ERCOT and Texas electric companies have been able to restore service to hundreds of thousands of households today, but we know there are many people who are still waiting,” said ERCOT President and CEO Bill Magness.

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas – The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) is urging consumers and businesses to limit their electricity use as much as possible on Sunday. The winter storm that has moved across our region has caused temperatures to drop well below average for this time of year. According to ERCOT officials, the cold weather in the area has resulted in a “record-breaking demand on the power grid.” However, there are a few ways you can reduce your electric usage at home. Here’s how you can help reduce electricity use, according to ERCOT:Set thermostats to 68 degrees while at home, or as low as comfortably tolerable. You can get the very latest forecast anytime by bookmarking our weather page and downloading the KSAT Weather Authority App - available for both Apple and Android devices.