Austin Energy’s residential rates are really good compared to other utilities in the state

That's interesting, given that I had a flat, fee-inclusive $25 bill for 1MWh in Round Rock in 2018. AE charged $46 to just get served. Then the usage came into play.

So, from $25 for 1,000 kWh, I was paying $3/kWh because of all the bullshit. When they cut me off in 2021 (like everyone else not just next to a hospital, fire department, etc.), I elected to get off whatever the fuck this grid claims to be. Sure, I have to balance my batteries a couple of times a year, but I'm otherwise fully off-grid.

TGS was roughly as bad ... it was about $40/month to get my first BTU. Ain't nobody got $90 just to have the joy of utility service.