Latest news with #HomeEnergyClub
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Study: Wichita Falls residents pay among the highest energy bills
Wichita Falls is among Texas cities where residents pay the highest costs for electricity, according to a study by Home Energy Club. The group released its findings Monday after conducting a survey in February of more than 1,500 Texas residents. Wichita Falls residents pay 15.85 cents per kilowatt hour while people in Abilene and San Angelo pay 16.19 cents per kWh, according to survey results from the organization labeling itself as a consumer advocacy group. Those figures translated into an average electric bill of $221.93 for Wichitans and $226.59 for residents of Abilene and San Angelo. Lubbock had the highest rates at $17.32 per kWh for an average residential bill of $242.29, according to Home Energy Club, which is the property of nonprofit trade organization National Home Service Contractors. The survey indicated the most affordable cities are in the Houston area where Houston, Sugar Land, Spring and Baytown have average rates of 14.10 cents per kWh. Home Club said the statewide average residential electricity rate in Texas is 16.07 cents per kWh. 'The estimated average monthly electricity bill in Texas ranges from $165 to $179, which is higher than the national average of $137,' the Home Club study said. 'Texas is on the higher end of the spectrum due to larger home sizes, intense cooling needs during hot summers, and higher consumption patterns.' The survey found that many rural Texans have higher energy costs despite lower rates because their homes tend to be older and less energy efficient. Likewise, low-income households in urban areas may spend up to 15 percent of their income on energy. For cities like Wichita Falls, extreme weather contributes to electricity costs with very hot summers and cold winters, Home Club said. The weather causes more peak demand periods, driving up costs. Most Texas residents can choose their electricity provider under a deregulated market designed to foster competition and lower rates. Home Energy Club said the market also presents challenges because of the complexity of plans, hidden costs and knowledge barriers for low-income and elderly customers. Home Energy Club contends Texas has a wide disparity in energy affordability and recommended that policymakers and utilities should expand assistance programs, simplify plans, invest in energy efficiency for older housing and develop more transparent pricing models. 'For individual Texans, the key to affordable electricity lies in understanding your usage patterns, shopping carefully for plans that match those patterns, and implementing energy efficiency measures to reduce consumption,' Home Club concluded. More: John Burrus contends he was forced out of WF city government because of what he knew More: Wichita Falls restaurant inspections: How did they do April 9-17? This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Study: Wichita Falls residents pay among the highest energy bills
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Abilene residents among those paying the most for electricity
Abilene, San Angelo and Wichita Falls are among Texas cities where residents pay the highest costs for electricity, according to a study by Home Energy Club. The group released its findings Monday after conducting a survey in February of more than 1,500 Texas residents. Wichita Falls residents pay 15.85 cents per kilowatt hour while people in Abilene and San Angelo pay 16.19 cents per kWh, according to survey results from the organization labeling itself as a consumer advocacy group. Those figures translated into an average electric bill of $226.59 for residents of Abilene and San Angelo and $221.93 for Wichita Falls residents. Lubbock had the highest rates at $17.32 per kWh with an average residential bill of $242.29, according to Home Energy Club, the property of nonprofit trade organization National Home Service Contractors. The survey indicated the most affordable cities are in the Houston area where Houston, Sugar Land, Spring and Baytown have average rates of 14.10 cents per kWh. Home Club said the statewide average residential electricity rate in Texas is 16.07 cents per kWh. 'The estimated average monthly electricity bill in Texas ranges from $165 to $179, which is higher than the national average of $137,' the Home Club study said. 'Texas is on the higher end of the spectrum due to larger home sizes, intense cooling needs during hot summers, and higher consumption patterns.' The survey found that many rural Texans have higher energy costs despite lower rates because their homes tend to be older and less energy efficient. Likewise, low-income households in urban areas may spend up to 15 percent of their income on energy. For cities like Abilene, San Angelo and Wichita Falls, extreme weather contributes to electricity costs with very hot summers and cold winters, Home Club said. The weather causes more peak demand periods, driving up costs. Most Texas residents can choose their electricity provider under a deregulated market designed to foster competition and lower rates. Home Energy Club said the market also presents challenges because of the complexity of plans, hidden costs and knowledge barriers for low-income and elderly customers. Home Energy Club contends Texas has a wide disparity in energy affordability and recommended that policymakers and utilities should expand assistance programs, simplify plans, invest in energy efficiency for older housing and develop more transparent pricing models. 'For individual Texans, the key to affordable electricity lies in understanding your usage patterns, shopping carefully for plans that match those patterns, and implementing energy efficiency measures to reduce consumption,' Home Club concluded. More: Angry Cactus looking to be the sparkle for Abilene's SODA District next year More: Taylor County early voting: Where to vote and what's on the ballot This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Abilene residents among those paying the most for electricity
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
San Angelo residents among those paying the most for electricity
San Angelo, Abilene and Wichita Falls are among Texas cities where residents pay the highest costs for electricity, according to a study by Home Energy Club. The group released its findings Monday after conducting a survey in February of more than 1,500 Texas residents. People in Abilene and San Angelo pay 16.19 cents per kilowatt hour while Wichita Falls residents pay 15.85 cents per kWh, according to survey results from the organization labeling itself as a consumer advocacy group. Those figures translated into an average electric bill of $226.59 for residents of San Angelo and Abilene and $221.93 for Wichita Falls residents. Lubbock had the highest rates at $17.32 per kWh with an average residential bill of $242.29, according to Home Energy Club, the property of nonprofit trade organization National Home Service Contractors. The survey indicated the most affordable cities are in the Houston area where Houston, Sugar Land, Spring and Baytown have average rates of 14.10 cents per kWh. Home Club said the statewide average residential electricity rate in Texas is 16.07 cents per kWh. 'The estimated average monthly electricity bill in Texas ranges from $165 to $179, which is higher than the national average of $137,' the Home Club study said. 'Texas is on the higher end of the spectrum due to larger home sizes, intense cooling needs during hot summers, and higher consumption patterns.' The survey found that many rural Texans have higher energy costs despite lower rates because their homes tend to be older and less energy efficient. Likewise, low-income households in urban areas may spend up to 15 percent of their income on energy. For cities like San Angelo, Abilene and Wichita Falls, extreme weather contributes to electricity costs with very hot summers and cold winters, Home Club said. The weather causes more peak demand periods, driving up costs. Most Texas residents can choose their electricity provider under a deregulated market designed to foster competition and lower rates. Home Energy Club said the market also presents challenges because of the complexity of plans, hidden costs and knowledge barriers for low-income and elderly customers. Home Energy Club contends Texas has a wide disparity in energy affordability and recommended that policymakers and utilities should expand assistance programs, simplify plans, invest in energy efficiency for older housing and develop more transparent pricing models. 'For individual Texans, the key to affordable electricity lies in understanding your usage patterns, shopping carefully for plans that match those patterns, and implementing energy efficiency measures to reduce consumption,' Home Club concluded. More: Edible art: San Angelo favorite stretching its West Texas reach More: San Angelo River Walk rich with 'Golden Hour' photo opportunities This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: San Angelo residents among those paying the most for electricity
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Delaware ranks among worst states for energy assistance. What support is available?
A new study ranked Delaware as the sixth-worst state for energy assistance and support, compared to other states despite multiple programs aimed at helping residents manage their energy costs. The review, conducted by Home Energy Club, a digital marketing firm specializing in electricity plans, examined states' energy assistance support. Factors such as funding per person for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the number of renewable energy programs and the average energy price in each state were considered in the rank. According to the report, Delaware scored 3.33 out of 10. While the state provides $24.59 per person in LIHEAP funding — higher than four of the five least supportive states — its average energy price ($27.74 per million BTU) and limited renewable energy incentives curtail a higher placement. The study's top five worst states for energy assistance are: Hawaii – Score: 0.80 Nevada – Score: 1.53 Arizona – Score: 2.13 Tennessee – Score: 2.67 District of Columbia – Score: 2.87 Although it scored low, Delaware offers several comprehensive assistance programs for residents struggling with energy costs. In fiscal year 2023, the program assisted over 23,500 households through various initiatives, including the Weatherization Assistance Program and the Summer Cooling Assistance Program. The Delaware Energy Assistance Program (DEAP) provides financial assistance to income-eligible residents to help cover the cost of energy bills, energy crises and home weatherization repairs. Administered by the Division of State Service Centers, may apply for benefits online at the Department of Health & Human Services website or by contacting Catholic Charities in their county. For Delaware households at or below 60% of Delaware's median income seeking help with energy costs, the state offers these options: Delaware Energy Assistance Program (DEAP)/LIHEAP Heating assistance: Available October through April, with benefits ranging from $200 to $4,973 Cooling assistance: Runs May through August, offering up to $1,000 in support Crisis assistance: Year-round emergency help up to $10,000 Weatherization Assistance Program Offered through the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Provides free home energy efficiency improvements such as weatherstripping, insulation and light bulbs Available to both homeowners and renters Contact the Energy Coordinating Agency to make an appointment Residents facing energy hardships can also explore assistance through the Energize Delaware, First State Community Action Agency and utility company assistance programs. Energize Delaware Energize Delaware is a nonprofit organization offering several programs to help residents reduce energy consumption and become more energy efficient. Here are some services it offers: Energy audit, counseling and check-up services Rebates on upgrades like new heating/cooling systems and hot water heaters Low-interest loans or grants for large renewable energy systems (e.g., solar, geothermal) Available to residential and non-residential customers Chesapeake Utilities The Chesapeake Utilities serves approximately 108,000 customers in Delaware and Maryland. The Chesapeake Utilities Corporation SHARING grant helps eligible Chesapeake Utilities customers with winter heating costs. Customer donations, matched by shareholders, are administered by Catholic Charities (Kent/New Castle) and the Salvation Army (Sussex). To request assistance, apply on the SHARING program's website or call: New Castle County: 302-654-9295 Kent County: 302-674-1782 Sussex County: 302-856-6310 Delmarva Power Delmarva Power's Good Neighbor Energy Fund matches customer contributions with a donation from shareholders. A household must first apply for LIHEAP. Funds are administered by the Salvation Army. Call 302-472-0750 for more information. First State Community Action Agency To apply for the Summer Cooling Assistance Program, which helps eligible residents offset cooling costs or receive a free in-window air conditioner, visit the First State Community Action Agency's website. You can contact Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware Energy Assistance Programs for residents ranks low
The Guardian
12-02-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Record-breaking growth in renewable energy in US threatened by Trump
The US had record-breaking growth in renewable-energy capacity last year, new research shows, but the future of the sector is uncertain amid threats from Donald Trump's administration. The country brought online 48.2 gigawatts of capacity from utility-scale solar, wind and battery storage in 2024, according to a report from the research organization Cleanview; the report is based on an analysis of federal data. That surge in capacity – enough to power some 3.6m homes – was 47% larger than the increase the US saw in the previous year. This unprecedented growth is attributable in part to the falling cost of renewables, said Michael Thomas, the founder of Cleanview and author of the report. An even bigger factor, he said, was Biden's 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and its historic incentives for green technologies. 'The IRA changed the landscape,' he said. The report comes as renewable power is being targeted by Trump, who has pledged to halt federal support for clean power as part of his pro-fossil fuel agenda. If he follows through on these promises, they could have devastating effects for the sector and the economy, experts say. 'The clean-energy sector is rapidly growing globally, and halting investments can also undermine America's competitive edge within the renewable energy market,' Nathan Schluter, an energy expert at the consumer advocacy organization Home Energy Club, said in an email. Still, though the president could hamper the growth of clean power, all hope for the sector may not be lost under his administration, Thomas said. 'We don't know what the future looks like right now. No one does,' he said. Even as US fossil fuel production soared to record levels last year, the vast majority of the new energy capacity the nation brought online was carbon-free. Renewables accounted for a combined 93% of all new capacity last year, with nuclear power adding another 2%. It's a sign we're in the 'era of zero-emissions energy', said Thomas. But not all renewable fuel sources are growing at the same rate. The solar-power and battery industries – often paired, with batteries storing power from the sun – saw record success in 2024. Growth in wind power, by contrast, has stagnated, with the US adding less wind capacity each year than before the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. In 2024, the country brought only 5.1 gigawatts of the power source online, accounting for just 9% of all new energy deployed nationwide last year. In 2024, solar power saw the fastest growth in red southern states. These regions are conducive to solar-power production and tend to have regulations that make it easier to build new projects, said Thomas. One-quarter of new capacity – 8.9 gigawatts – was built in Texas. In second place was Florida, another Republican stronghold, which brought the second-most capacity online at 3 gigawatts, beating out California in new capacity for the first time. The solar industry also grew in other Republican states like Arkansas, Missouri and Louisiana. The US also added a record amount of new battery-storage capacity to its energy system, with California leading the pack and Texas not far behind. New markets for the industry also emerged in the states of Arizona and Nevada. Both saw multiple battery megaprojects – which have a capacity of 100 megawatts or more – come online. The wind industry, however, is facing a wide array of challenges. Interest rates, for instance, have risen, as have the costs of steel and other materials. Supply chains have also been disrupted since the Covid-19 pandemic. And since wind farms are taller and more noticeable than solar farms, they often attract more opposition from local communities, who are sometimes fed misinformation from the fossil fuel industry. Because wind power is usually deployed in sparsely populated areas, it also requires transmission lines to send power to cities. The US lacks such infrastructure, and it requires lengthy, arduous permitting processes to build. That's a problem for the climate, said Thomas, because wind makes up a crucial piece of the clean-energy puzzle. It is most productive and inexpensive at nighttime, when power from the sun is not available. Sign up to Headlines US Get the most important US headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion 'Wind specifically is absolutely essential,' he said. The clean-energy sector is facing challenges under Trump, who has cracked down on renewables with a spate of executive orders, agency directives and spending freezes while threatening to wage even more attacks. But growth will not stop completely, experts say. Despite Trump's assaults, some challenges for the wind industry are beginning to subside, with supply-chain clogs starting to ease and more officials beginning to take the problem of transmission seriously. Also, renewable projects that have already gone through the permitting process, including major wind farms in New England, are likely to come online as planned. The future for not-yet-approved renewable-energy projects is highly uncertain, but growth may continue, said Thomas. Solar capacity doubled during Trump's first term in office but it is unclear whether that kind of progress will be possible this time around. 'There's a scenario where he talks a big game but does little to follow through on those threats,' said Thomas. 'But there is a bad-news scenario which would be very, very bad for the industries.' 'In this scenario, the [Department of Energy] does all they can to hamper renewable energy,' he said. 'And they gut the IRA outright; they gut incentives for manufacturing clean-energy components and simultaneously keep tariffs in place to block imports. It would be a nightmare.' In the face of this uncertainty, officials are putting pressure on the Trump administration to preserve federal support for renewables. Last month, eight Republicans gave testimony calling on the federal government not to slash IRA tax credits, which have disproportionately benefitted red states. This week, 132 mayors and local officials from 38 states – 22 of which voted for Trump in 2024 – sent a letter to Congress demanding they preserve all renewable-energy tax credits available to state and local governments. 'We urge you to prioritize the economic and energy future of our communities by preserving all clean-energy tax credits available to state and local governments through elective pay,' the officials wrote. Mayor Kate Gallego of Phoenix, Arizona, which has more solar energy per capita than any other large municipality, signed the letter. She said clean energy helps to 'bring good-paying jobs to our community, lower residents' electric bills, and secure our grid'. 'I hope that Congress recognizes the critical need for continued advancements in clean-energy and protects the tools both public and private sector entities use to unlock these opportunities,' she said.
