Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) said on Tuesday that $ 29 million would be forgiven to electric bills after electricity provider Griddy filed for bankruptcy on Monday.
“My office sued Griddy Energy under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act to hold them accountable for their increase in last month’s winter storm disaster by debiting huge amounts of customer bills as Texans struggle to survive the storm,” Paxton said in ‘ a statement said.
‘I have ensured that the proposed Griddy bankruptcy plan takes an important step forward by offering exemptions to approximately 24,000 former customers who owe $ 29.1 million to unpaid electricity bills. Griddy and my office are engaged in ongoing good faith negotiations to address additional relief for Griddy customers who have already paid their storm-related energy bills. ”
Paxton said Griddy, through its bankruptcy plan, “will release all outstanding payment obligations to Texas consumers who could not pay their energy bills due to the high prices charged during the storm” and that “Texas and Griddy will work in good faith. to legal aid for Texans who have already paid. ”
Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Griddy under the Texas Fraudulent Commercial Practices Act after some Texans were hit with abnormally high electricity bills during the severe winter weather last month, even though the power was blown out in broad parts of the state.
Dozens of people in Texas and surrounding states died during the icy conditions last month, and millions were left without power for days. Officials said frozen machinery at natural gas plants fueled the disruptions.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) applauded the news, saying he “will continue with the legislature to resolve the remaining claims.”
The Texas Attorney General is deleting $ 29.1 million in Griddy clients’ electricity bills.
It settles most demands of the customers of the winter storm.
I will continue to work with the legislature to resolve remaining claims.
https://t.co/neMhbNtOxY
– Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) 16 March 2021