Mayra Flores confronts BPUB about rate increases

LEFT: Brownsville Public Utilities Board Administration Building pictured Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020, on Roberto Vargas Drive. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald) RIGHT: Mayra Flores

U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores is seeking answers from the Brownsville Public Utilities Board, related to recent increases in bills going out to Brownsville residents.

Flores, a Republican, sent a letter to BPUB officials Tuesday, critical of the utility provider for not providing answers to her office. The letter is addressed to Sandra Saenz, chair of the Brownsville Public Utilities Board and its board members.

A portion of the letter reads: “I am disappointed that, after three attempts from my office to contact staff at the BPUB, my office has yet to receive a direct response on the justification for these increases or on steps that BPUB has taken to bring awareness to these new rates. Given this, I can only imagine that similar inquiries from concerned residents went unanswered.”

The congresswoman said she had been contacted by hundreds of her constituents about their skyrocketing monthly utility bills and a consensus on a lack of justification for the changes.

BPUB said in a prepared statement “BPUB spoke to a representative from Mayra Flores’ office and guided them to where the information could be found on the BPUB website. If Flores would like some additional information, BPUB will cooperate with those requests.”

The statement further read “We know that families in Brownsville and across the country have been facing higher utility bills due to hotter weather and higher fuel costs. At BPUB, we regularly share information on rates and energy costs through our website, social media channels and community outreach efforts. We are committed to our customers and offer a number of programs to those who need help paying their utility bills.”

BPUB customers have been experiencing increases in their utility bills over the last several months, with some customers reporting bills as high as $700 to $1,000.

Brownsville Public Utilities Board officials warned back in May that customers would see a series of rate increases starting in June, as subsidies that had kept customers’ bills artificially low since 2013 was being phased out as the money ran out. The subsidy money was generated in the first place by rate increases BPUB implemented beginning in 2013 to pay for its share of the Tenaska Brownsville Generating Station, which never got built.

Those officials say that in May they didn’t foresee the cost of gas soaring to current levels, which has forced additional rate hikes with more on the way.

Flores suggests that BPUB further develop a public awareness campaign concerning the rate changes and the justification for them.

“Our Brownsville neighbors and small businesses work incredibly hard to keep their lights on and deserve transparency and communication on their utility costs,” the letter reads.

The congresswoman recommends BPUB utilize, mail, in-person events, tele-town halls and additional digital and written media platforms where residents can receive information on the changes.