Sen. Kolkhorst Files Legislation Protecting Texans Against Electricity Price Gouging

Following last week’s winter storm and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) power grid failure State Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) has taken action and filed SB 680 to clarify that electricity is a necessity during a declared state of disaster.

“Working nonstop last week and hearing the voices of many of my constituents seeing their electricity prices skyrocket, often without warning, I took action to stop this abusive practice,” said Kolkhorst. “Just as merchants are prohibited from outrageous spikes in the cost of water or gasoline after a hurricane, it should be clear that the same predatory behavior is prohibited for electricity. No Texan deserves to be price gouged for basic necessities during a state of disaster. I will have no part in companies profiting off of their own failures.”

Specifically, SB 680 will amend the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA) which contains what is known as the “pricegouging” statute, enumerating what qualifies as a necessity during a declared disaster.