Utilities

Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Houston and El Paso are among more than 50 cities suing the State of Texas over two laws they say will result in millions in lost revenue from companies that provide cable and telecommunications services to their residents.

Less than 24 hours after the city opened up applications for its utility bill payment assistance program, it closed the application portal. A message on the application portal informed residents that the program, administered by the Community Action Partners division, has reached its application limit for February.

The Utilities Blitz event provides eligible DeSoto residents financial assistance to pay off utility bills, including water, electricity and gas.

At least four municipal utility districts have formed in Fort Worth’s extraterritorial jurisdiction area in Denton County, sparking debate about public safety and core services.

The city is now letting Denton residents pay their neighbors’ utility bills with a donation.

Another round of utility rate increases will go into effect in October, as part of a quarterly review process the Denton City Council approved in March.

The high court ruled against two municipal power company workers who said they were fired because they blew the whistle on a city council member who leaked allegedly confidential documents to the Denton Record-Chronicle.

Texas investigators say the largest wildfire in state history appears to be caused by a power line. Aging utility infrastructure ups the risk of starting wildfires as the climate heats up.

The City of Dallas is fighting a rate increase proposed by electricity provider Oncor. The city council voted unanimously to challenge a rate hike that would increase Oncor’s revenues about $251 million per year and increase electric bills for millions of people across most of North Texas.

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs says it's no longer accepting applications to the federally backed program to help struggling Texans amid stifling summer heat.

Oil and gas regulators at the Railroad Commission of Texas cleared the way for $3.4 billion to be paid to natural gas companies by raising bills for ratepayers.

KERA’s One Crisis Away project examines life for folks on the financial edge. Many senior citizens fall into that category. They might struggle with…