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The survey, conducted in early September by the progressive research firm Data for Progress, discovered that immigration and grid reliability are among the most important issues for Texas voters, along with other social and economic challenges.
Still reeling from the consequences of Winter Storm Uri, a majority of voters polled across the political spectrum believed state officials did not effectively safeguard them from rising prices caused by the storm, according to the survey report.
In a study of 700 prospective voters, nearly seven in ten Texans indicated their home energy bills are currently higher than they were a year ago. The poll was performed in English and Spanish, with text and web page responses.
"These higher residential energy expenditures are detracting from Texas voters' quality of life," Danielle Deiseroth, lead climate strategist at Data for Progress, stated in the research, adding that higher energy bills have contributed to behavioural change.
Around 60% of respondents said they had cut back on recreational activities, and nearly half said they now use less air conditioning and switch off fewer lights at home. The poll covered dining out, travelling, and going to the movies as recreational activities.
Respondents also reported spending less on necessities such as food and medications (30%) and shifting political parties in midterm elections (19%).
Some survey respondents blamed President Joe Biden, Gov. Greg Abbott, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or other electricity corporations for increasing residential energy rates. After being reminded that the Texas electric grid is not subject to federal regulation, more respondents blamed Abbott and ERCOT, which manages the Texas grid, rather than Biden.
Still reeling from the consequences of Winter Storm Uri, a majority of voters polled across the political spectrum believed state officials did not effectively safeguard them from rising prices caused by the storm, according to the survey report.
In a study of 700 prospective voters, nearly seven in ten Texans indicated their home energy bills are currently higher than they were a year ago. The poll was performed in English and Spanish, with text and web page responses.
"These higher residential energy expenditures are detracting from Texas voters' quality of life," Danielle Deiseroth, lead climate strategist at Data for Progress, stated in the research, adding that higher energy bills have contributed to behavioural change.
Around 60% of respondents said they had cut back on recreational activities, and nearly half said they now use less air conditioning and switch off fewer lights at home. The poll covered dining out, travelling, and going to the movies as recreational activities.
Respondents also reported spending less on necessities such as food and medications (30%) and shifting political parties in midterm elections (19%).
Some survey respondents blamed President Joe Biden, Gov. Greg Abbott, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or other electricity corporations for increasing residential energy rates. After being reminded that the Texas electric grid is not subject to federal regulation, more respondents blamed Abbott and ERCOT, which manages the Texas grid, rather than Biden.
However, a majority believed that state authorities are failing to serve them when it comes to planning for climate change and other extreme weather occurrences. Almost 90% of Democrats polled believed their state leaders are not doing enough.
"Winter Storm Uri left a permanent impact on Texans' psyche, as they now manoeuvre their lives without trust that the grid will supply reliable service," Deiseroth wrote.
The February 2021 freeze caused blackouts across the state, and more than 200 Texans died as a result of the intense cold and power shortages.
"With grid dependability issues and high energy prices significantly impacting their lives, Texas voters want their government to prioritise resolving the electrical grid," the strategist said.
According to Brent Bennett, policy director of the Texas Public Policy Foundation's energy centre, Life:Powered, the state's system was unprepared for the storm due to a lack of funding. He stated that the market at the time "was signalling investment for greater wind and solar." TPPF is a nonprofit conservative think tank situated in Austin.
"It's not their fault — it's not that the generators performed poorly or something," Bennett said of the grid's capacity during the winter storm. "It's just that the resources weren't there."
When it comes to strategies to improve grid dependability, survey respondents support a number of initiatives such as upgrading electric transmission lines, increasing energy efficiency, and increasing the usage of innovative energy technology.
Furthermore, approximately 64% of respondents said they would favour paying consumers during periods of high energy demand in order to incentivise them to minimise their energy use.
To make electricity more inexpensive and reliable, nearly two-thirds of respondents indicated they supported greater regulations on energy providers. In Texas, the Public Utility Commission is in charge of overseeing the state's electrical programmes, including ERCOT.
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