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0 pointsjandrese5y ago0 comments

I wonder what the insurance payouts are like for power companies that let people freeze to death? Probably nothing because they'll claim they weren't to blame.

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RHSeeger5y ago

There are laws in place to prevent the utility companies from cutting off heat in situations like this.

From: https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/utility_and_heating...

> Texas - State law requires that utility and gas companies are required to offer a deferred payment plan to families and individuals in the state. No disconnect can occur if customer agrees and adheres to payment plan for past utility or heating bills. No shut off is allowed if temperature is to go below 32 degrees, or in extreme heat. Also disconnection will be delayed if detrimental to the health of a state resident, but the customer must have physician certification to get this plan.

jandreseOP5y ago

They aren't getting disconnected, the power is going out because the operator didn't add enough margin into their system to handle abnormal events. In the race to offer the lowest possible price per kWh they made the system unsafe for sensitive groups.

freeone30005y ago

The issue was rolling blackouts caused by insufficient capacity and lack of winterization in generation stations. I know people who lost power for 48 hours in 14F weather. We have at least 21 dead.

ivalm5y ago

Right, but I guess many of the people who died chose to risk rather than be stuck with a bill they cannot afford. Being allowed deferred payment is not enough.

bluGill5y ago

Most, probably all, of the people who died didn't have a choice, their power was cut off for the entire neighborhood. The bill they can't afford for the most part hasn't even been mailed yet (bills are generally monthly, this event wasn't that long ago).

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