(EL PASO) – It seems inevitable: a 27% utility gas hike.
Texas Gas Service (TGS) is proposing to join with other Texas cities in creating a consolidated service territory, a move that would raise monthly gas bills for El Paso customers beginning next year. TGS representatives are urging city leaders and residents to support the plan, which includes a monthly rate increase.
Elizabeth O’Hara, a strategic planner known for building key corporate relationships, was among the presenters at community meetings earlier this month. According to her LinkedIn page, she "builds dynamic relationships that benefit companies and their goals."
While residents face the bleak news of rising gas prices, ironically, TGS's last press update is 8 Tips To Protect Your Family, Wallet, and Community, next to a lauding summer internship program in August.
Said tips no longer matter with the rising prices, which have not been updated on the website.
(Photo: TGS website)
The proposal calls for a monthly increase of $10 to $14 starting in 2026. Some residents have expressed frustration over the idea. Former El Paso resident Kyle Hajek wrote on Facebook that "El Paso focuses on the wrong things: instead, it should focus on things that affect people's wallets."
Local resident Josha Perez voiced similar concerns, telling KFOX-TV that even small rate increases strain working families.
“Every dollar counts,” Perez said on the local news station. “At this point, it seems like everybody’s coming for every dollar we have. I’d imagine that we’re starting to cut back on things that are almost necessities.”
During the Nov. 17 City Council Work Session, Rates and Regulatory Director Stacey McTaggart explained TGS’s justification for the increase, while Assistant City Attorney Matt Marquez, part of the city’s Regulation Team, represented the city’s position.
Marquez emphasized that the City Attorney’s office recommended denying the rate case as filed.
Nate Coleman Nextdoor Graph showing resident response to rising gas prices
District 5 City Representative Ivan Niño later issued a statement on social media defending his vote against the proposal.
“My vote today was about standing for fairness and protecting the people of El Paso—especially the hardworking families of District 5 who are already feeling the impact of rising costs,” Niño wrote. He argued that the 27 percent rate increase would unfairly shift costs from other regions of Texas onto El Paso customers.
City Representative Ivan Nino's Instagram post denying the proposed increase
No other City Representatives or ONE Gas officials were available for comment in time before the story deadline.
However, residents on Nextdoor made their opinions known on survey I posted shown in the below graphic.
Nate Coleman Nextdoor survey
Director at ONE Gas Communications, Media Relations, Digital Marketing, Jason Cleary, said he would work on providing answers to outstanding questions while Mayor Renard U. Johnson affirmed the community’s impact on the council’s decision.
"Residents made their voices heard throughout this process, and I want to thank every El Pasoan who spoke up,” Johnson said. “Today’s decision reflects that input and reinforces our duty to protect fairness, transparency, and accountability for every household and business in our city. We will not allow El Paso families to be overcharged to subsidize other regions.”
The final decision now rests with the Railroad Commission of Texas, which has until January 2026 to determine whether the rate increase will move forward.
Stay with OpGov for the latest developments on this story. To share your thoughts, email reporter Nate Coleman at nathan.c@lead4earth.org.
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