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Winter Storm Still in the News


 Winter Storm Still in the News

With so much of the news over the past two weeks being focused on the winter storm and electricity issues, you may have more questions about what it all means for Sam Houston EC members going forward.

As previously stated, the Co-op’s board of directors decided the price of electricity in March will stay the same. Co-op members, however, may see an increase in their electric bill due to higher energy use in their home during the extreme cold weather.

Sam Houston EC is in the MISO power grid; not in ERCOT. MISO energy prices during the winter storm were not near the extremes as those seen in ERCOT, although MISO prices did increase during the cold weather.

As the Co-op receives our wholesale power bills from our power provider, East Texas Electric Cooperative (ETEC) in the coming weeks, we will have a clearer outlook on how this might impact future bills. ETEC provides wholesale power to distribution cooperatives that serve consumers in ERCOT, MISO, and Southwest Power Pool (SPP). The cost of power was higher than normal in all three of these grids.

As news has come out of Austin over the past few days, it appears that the events that transpired in ERCOT will have some spillover effects outside of ERCOT and throughout the industry.

Right now, we are meeting and working with state legislators and agencies on your behalf to protect our Co-op members and defend you against any negative impacts. We are using every resource available to us in order to maintain power costs and keep your electric bills as low as possible.

During Texas legislative hearings last week, there was some discussion regarding relief for electricity consumers. However, the legislature has not yet announced any such plans.

We understand that even a small increase impacts family budgets. As the Co-op has been doing throughout the pandemic, we are working with members who need assistance with bills that are larger than normal due to high use during the cold weather. And we have temporarily suspended disconnects. If you need assistance, please call us at 800-458-0381.

Sam Houston Electric Cooperative is local, not-for-profit, and focused on the communities we serve. As news evolves, we will do our very best to keep you informed and provide some clarity.