Texans Paying Billions to Enrich Electric Generators
The Energy Alliance today released Texas’ $3.6 Billion Electricity Tax. The report examines the cost of artificial price increases imposed on Texans by the Public Utility Commission of Texas in response to the harm caused by renewable energy subsidies.
“Texans are paying generators an extra $3.6 billion for electricity because Texas policymakers won’t stand up to the renewable energy lobby,” said Bill Peacock, the author of the report and policy director of the Energy Alliance. “Rather than eliminate renewable energy subsidies to restore the reliability of the grid, regulators decided to heap one subsidy on top of another at the expense of Texans.”
“Predatory pricing” harming competitiveness in ERCOT
The Energy Alliance today released Predatory Pricing in the Texas Electricity Market. The report examines the effects of renewable generators in ERCOT undercutting the prices of their competitors by selling electricity below their costs, and even their marginal costs, to gain market share.
“Pricing by renewable generators in Texas is similar to the classic anticompetitive behavior in antitrust theory known as predatory pricing,” said Bill Peacock, the author of the report and policy director of the Energy Alliance. “Yet, despite the obvious harm this is causing to competition and the reliability of the electric grid, policymakers have not addressed the underlying cause for this, renewable energy subsidies.”
Wind and solar subsidies increase Texas electricity costs
The Energy Alliance today released Wind and Solar Subsidies Increase Texas Electricity Costs. The report examines the increase in Texas electricity prices in 2019 and its relationship to renewable energy subsidies.
“Renewable energy subsidies make electricity much more expensive,” said Bill Peacock, the author of the report and policy director of the Energy Alliance. “The costs show up not only on electricity bills but on tax bills as well.”
Putting an end to Texas’ $4.3 billion electricity tax
(Originally published in The Dallas Morning News, July 20, 2020.)
With the arrival of July, Texans know to be ready for 100-plus degree weather for the next couple of months as widespread extreme heat is expected this summer. It might surprise them, though, to know that the prices they pay for electricity might rise even faster than the summer heat…
Texans paying a high price for the privilege of a less reliable market
Today the Energy Alliance released The High Cost of Renewable Energy Subsidies. The report catalogues the cost of subsidies provided to Texas wind and solar generators: about $19.4 billion since 2006, with another $15.9 billion projected over the next decade.
“Texans are paying a high price to support expensive and inefficient renewable generation,” said Bill Peacock, policy director for the Energy Alliance. “These federal, state, and local subsidies for renewable energy are undermining the reliability of the Texas electricity market.”