Texas Scorecard by Mary Berg August 7, 2026
His proposal is intended to lower utility costs by allowing market competition. Gov. Greg Abbott is proposing legislation that would break up the municipal utility monopolies in Austin and San Antonio, allowing residents to choose their own utility provider.
The proposal would open the two cities’ electricity markets to competition and prohibit municipal utilities from using utility revenue to fund their city governments.
Abbott’s office estimates the changes could lower electricity costs by 10 percent for the average Austin ratepayer and 13 percent for the average San Antonio ratepayer.
“We must address the cost of electricity that is putting a growing strain on Texas households,” said Abbott. “That’s why I’m proposing legislation to end the monopoly control that cities like Austin and San Antonio have over electricity services and give Texans the freedom to choose the provider that works best for them.”
Austin and San Antonio residents are among the roughly five million Texans who receive electricity from municipally owned utilities. Unlike investor-owned utilities, which are regulated by the Public Utility Commission of Texas, municipal utilities are run and overseen by their respective city governments.
More:
https://texasscorecard.com/local/gov-abbott-looks-to-break-up-utility-monopolies-in-austin-and-san-antonio/
