San Antonio Fights Abbott 13% Power-Bill Cut Plan as CPS Sends $504 Million to City
Updated
Updated · Texas Public Radio · Aug 17
San Antonio Fights Abbott 13% Power-Bill Cut Plan as CPS Sends $504 Million to City
3 articles · Updated · Texas Public Radio · Aug 17
Summary
Gov. Greg Abbott wants the 2027 Texas Legislature to force open San Antonio’s power market to private retailers, but city leaders and CPS Energy say the shift would raise local bills and destabilize city finances.
Abbott’s office says competition could cut residential bills by 13% and commercial bills by up to 20%, yet it has not released the detailed analysis behind those estimates.
CPS Energy now transfers 14% of gross revenue to San Antonio’s general fund, and the city budgeted about $504 million from the utility for fiscal 2026—nearly 30% of that fund.
Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones said that money supports police, fire, parks, libraries and senior services, rejecting Abbott’s "slush fund" label and warning the city already faces a projected budget shortfall.
Current Texas law lets a municipally owned utility decide whether to join retail competition, so Abbott’s plan would require lawmakers to change state law before San Antonio’s market could be opened.