Poll: Only 24% Of Texans Support A Fee For Reserve Electricity Capacity (54% Oppose)

The majority of Texans do not support any fees for procuring reserve electricity capacity, according to a poll conducted by Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston in the aftermath of the recent winter storm

Only 8% of respondents strongly support, and only 16% somewhat support the following proposal: Allow electricity generators (EG) to charge consumers an additional fee to support the maintenance of a more substantial minimum electricity reserve capacity by generators.

This proposed fee for additional reserve capacity is opposed by 54% of Texans

With respect to weatherization, only 6% of respondents strongly support, and only 12% somewhat support the following proposal: Allow electricity generators (EG) to charge consumers an additional fee to pay for weatherization/winterization

More broadly, the poll also found that more than half (51%) of Texans are unwilling to pay any additional amount on their monthly electricity bill to safeguard the Texas electrical grid from severe weather; with 25%, 14%, and 6% willing to pay an additional $5, $10, and $20 more a month, respectively.

While not supporting a fee for the two policies noted above, both policies do have strong consumer support, with 78% supporting both requiring generators to maintain reserve capacity and requiring generators to weatherize to participate in the Texas market

According to the poll, 55% of respondents support adopting a windfall profits tax for electricity generators on any profit when the megawatt hour (MWh) price rises above the high end of the grid’s normal range of $50 per MWh, and using this tax revenue to support energy resiliency efforts (31% strongly support and 25% somewhat).

Per the poll, more than three out of four Texans (78%) did not believe that the power outages in their area were carried out in an equitable manner, and 81% believe they would have benefited from more timely and accurate information before, during and after the winter storm.

According to the poll, almost three out of four (74%) Texans disapprove of ERCOT’s performance during the winter storm, with 65% strongly disapproving, compared to only 6% who approve. Almost half of Texans disapprove of Governor Abbott’s performance during the winter storm, compared to 28% who approve.

See the poll results here.