Disproportionate energy disruptions afflicted rural Hispanic households during winter storm Uri

Abstract

This perspective investigates the impacts of disparate energy disruptions during Winter Storm Uri, which in 2021 caused severe power outages across the state of Texas leading to numerous deaths and billions of dollars of damage to property and infrastructure. The paper focuses on the potential injustice along ethnic lines in the distribution of power outages across the state. By analyzing data from the hourly rate of power outages aggregated by counties in Texas we find that among rural populations, Hispanic households faced substantially higher outage rates throughout the storm compared to other racial and ethnic groups. This reveals an inequitable distribution of energy disruptions. We propose that further nuances may be uncovered if more granular data were made available, delving into intra-county disparities. Only through comprehensive examination and proactive measures can we mitigate the adverse effects of future energy disruptions and safeguard the well-being and lives of all citizens, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.