AUSTIN, Texas — Texas recorded more residential electricity disconnections than any other state in 2024, according to a federal report released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which measured utility shutoffs tied to unpaid bills nationwide.
The report found that utilities in the United States disconnected residential electricity service 13.4 million times in 2024. Texas accounted for more than 3 million of those disconnections, the highest total among all states. The state also reported 206,372 residential natural gas disconnections, also the largest total nationally.
Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute Executive Director Margo Weisz said the data shows Texas accounts for a disproportionate share of disconnections compared with its share of electricity customers. She said Texas residents represent about 9% of U.S. electricity customers but account for 22.5% of electricity shutoffs.
Weisz said low- and moderate-income households face the greatest impact and reported that many households reduce spending on essential needs to pay utility bills.
The report and related analysis also tracked rising electricity costs in Texas. TEPRI found residential electricity prices in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas competitive market increased about 30% from 2021 to 2025, with further increases projected through 2030.
The analysis attributed rising costs to infrastructure investments tied to population growth, weather-related grid upgrades following the 2021 winter storm, and increased demand from large users such as data centers and industrial facilities.
Weisz said customers who experience disconnection often face additional costs to restore service, including repayment plans, fees, and more expensive contracts with retail electricity providers.
The report stated that customers who lose service often face limited access to lower-cost electricity plans until they resolve outstanding balances.
