Wichita Falls City Council members are expected to take up a proposed utility agreement Tuesday that would increase what residents pay for natural gas, making household energy costs one of the meeting's key issues.
Here's what to know
When the Wichita Falls City Council meets at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Multi-Purpose Events Center, one item on the agenda is an Atmos Energy agreement that Times Record News reported would add $13.37 a month to a typical residential natural gas bill and $44.82 to an average commercial bill.
The proposed change is tied to a settlement between Atmos and 181 Texas municipalities. The agreement would reduce the company's original $291.1 million request by more than $30 million, though customers would still face higher monthly charges.
More background
The vote comes amid a broader affordability problem tied to fossil fuels.
Coal and natural gas power plants contribute to air and water pollution linked to asthma, heart disease, cancer, and premature death, while also keeping energy costs high for households that rely on these fuel sources instead of more abundant resources like sunlight and wind.
Natural gas bills can be especially hard on families because they add another volatile monthly expense on top of electric, water, and housing costs. Even a modest increase can add up over a year, particularly for households already strained by inflation and summer cooling demand.
Industry lobbying has also helped delay cleaner, cheaper energy solutions that could better protect families from rising fuel costs. As a result, many communities remain tied to systems that can expose residents to pollution and price swings at the same time.
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