San Antonio Residents Face High Energy Bills After Winter Storm, Assistance Programs Expanded
San Antonio residents are grappling with unexpectedly high CPS Energy bills following February’s winter storm, with some customers reporting bills exceeding $300. The financial strain is prompting frustration and raising questions about affordability, particularly for those on fixed incomes.
One CPS Energy customer, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed her dismay after paying a bill in excess of $300. “I had to pay it in full because I can’t afford to get behind, or pay a little bit of this because if it all catches up to you, and when it catches up to you, they’re going to turn it off,” she said, adding that despite reports of a strong economy, she is struggling to make ends meet. “When I hear that it angers me, it upsets me because I’m a real person. I’m not a rich person. I’m on a monthly income. I live paycheck to paycheck by the grace of God,” she lamented. “People can’t afford to even save because you’re trying to stay alive and live your life. That’s what upsets me. And I know I’m not the only one!”
CPS Energy acknowledges the increased energy usage during colder temperatures. “We do see higher energy use with colder temperatures such as the ones that we experienced during Winter storm Fern,” said Milady Nazir of CPS Energy. She emphasized the importance of conservation, particularly during peak hours. “Conservation is really important. During Winter Storm Fern, we saw that we were asking the community to conserve between 6 a.m. And 10:00 a.m. Because we have a color coded conservation system, and during those times we ask customers to set their thermostat at 68 degrees.” Nazir added that conserving energy during those hours can significantly reduce bills.
Beyond conservation efforts, CPS Energy offers several programs designed to assist customers with managing their energy costs. These include a fixed payment plan, which provides a consistent monthly bill amount, and affordability discount programs. Waivers are also available for seniors and members of the military.
The Casa Verde assistance program helps customers weatherize their homes, improving energy efficiency. Customers can access information about these programs and apply for assistance through CPS Energy service centers, by phone, or online.
CPS Energy also provides customers with tools to monitor their energy usage. “We have the My Energy portal so you as a customer can know what you’re paying every 15 minutes so that way when the bill comes it’s not necessarily a shock because you know the energy you’re using every day,” Nazir explained.
Recognizing the growing need for assistance, the Residential Energy Assistance Partnership (REAP) recently voted unanimously to expand its program for Bexar County residents. The expansion increases the maximum annual assistance available to residents outside of San Antonio from $400 to $1,200. The income qualification criteria have been broadened to 150% of the Federal Poverty Level, allowing more customers to qualify for aid.
The expansion is supported by a $6 million contribution from CPS Energy’s summer 2023 wholesale revenues, in addition to the utility’s existing $1 million annual contribution. Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai, president of the REAP Board, emphasized the importance of extending assistance to residents in unincorporated areas and suburban cities within the county.
“The expansion strengthens our community’s safety net by ensuring that more CPS Energy customers have access to assistance with their utility bills,” said Mayor Ron Nirenberg in a press release.
Customers seeking assistance can find more information at https://www.cpsenergy.com/en/my-home/customer-assist-programs.html?ptlinks and https://www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/DHS/Financial-Assistance/Utility-Assistance.
