Texas GOP congressman: Federal disaster aid will help homeowners with high utility bills

A Texas congressman said Sunday that homeowners in his state who are facing shockingly high electric payments and damage to their homes resulting from recent winter weather would be eligible for aid from the federal government.

Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) thanked President Biden for approving an emergency disaster declaration for the state, and pointed to that declaration when asked by host Dana Bash about reports of Texans facing massive utility bills following days of blackouts and water outages across Texas.

“Yeah, that’s the current plan, is that the federal assistance will help homeowners, both with the repair…and with the utilities’ cost,” McCaul told CNN.

His comments came in response to reports of Texans facing electricity bills as high as $17,000 resulting from massive demand and low supply over the past week.

McCaul on Sunday went on to add that it was an interesting “paradox” to see Texas, which provides much of the U.S.’s annual energy output, unable to power its own grid.

The Republican also agreed with Bash that the storm was an eye-opening example as to how man-made climate change could seriously affect Texas, adding that he has called for a “Manhattan-style project” focusing on technology addressing climate change.

“I think it’s real,” says GOP Rep. Michael McCaul on humans playing a role in climate change. “I think the question is how to deal with it and I think innovation, technology, a Manhattan type project to deal with clean energy, is the way to go.” #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/mSGcNZIfwe

— State of the Union (@CNNSotu) February 21, 2021

Much of Texas was blanketed with snow and ice early last week in a devastating winter storm that froze machinery at natural gas plants and other power facilities in the state, leaving millions without electricity or running water as freezing temperatures persisted for days.

As many as 50 people have died as a result of the winter storm and Texas officials now face scrutiny over why the state was not better prepared for the disaster.