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Rising temperatures are to be expected in Houston summers. But what may be really appreciated this year, is a program long intended to help Texas low-income power consumers pay their electric bills is actually being used for that purpose. Although it’s long term future is still in question.
Pat Hernandez, KUHF Public Radio
With rising temperatures indicating a hot summer, the City of Houston has opened “beat the heat” centers for low income and seniors to cool off. The city’s largest energy provider will assist people who may have trouble paying their summer electric bills.
Statistics show that heat kills more people than any weather related event, more than flooding from hurricanes, or lightning and tornadoes. Doctors say children and the elderly are most at risk for heat related illnesses. Houston state Rep. Sylvester Turner says many of his constituents are on fixed incomes.
“What we’ve discovered is that a lot of seniors, because they are fearful of their monthly utility bills, will not turn on their air conditioning units, even when their air conditioning units are working, because they’re more fearful of the bill in many cases than the heat. But we discovered that the heat can really have a detrimental impact on your lives. And so I would rather for you to turn on your air than not to turn it on.”
Turner talked about the System Benefit Fund, that’s a dedicated fund administered by the Public Utility Commission to help low income residents with their summer electricity bills.
“All of the money that’s being banked in the system benefit fund — that you pay on your monthly utility bills anyway — to assist poor people, low income people. All of those dollars over the next three years will be going back to the intended population. Which means that in September if you have for example a hundred dollar electricity bill in September, then you’re gonna get a credit on your electricity bill of roughly 80 percent.”
(Read and listen to more at KUHF Public Radio)
RELATED:
• Houston seniors invited to apply for 1 of 100 free air conditioners (Chron.com)
• With a Broken Safety Net Abandoned, What’s Next For Low Income Texans? (State Impact Texas)
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