Show All Answers

1. Where can I sign up for utilities?

For water and wastewater service on the Live Oak Peninsula and natural gas service within Aransas County, sign up at 402 E. Laurel St., by calling 361-729-2213, Ext. 234 or using the online application listed under Utility Customer Service.

2. Why is my gas bill so high?

The following is provided by the Railroad Commission of Texas:

WHY IS MY GAS BILL SO HIGH???
Why is my gas bill so high? It wasn’t high last month or even last year.

Because the price paid by your utility for natural gas fluctuates from month to month due to free market economic factors. The utility must purchase the natural gas commodity every day to assure a constant supply for its customers. The price it pays is market based. That is, the price your utility pays is based on supply and demand for gas in the market place. The utility bills you for that cost through the Gas Cost Adjustment (GCA) or Gas Cost Recovery (GCR).

How does the Gas Cost Adjustment (GCA) work?

The cost of natural gas changes daily. Because of these fluctuations, regulatory authorities have created the GCA factor to insure that the actual cost of gas is passed on to consumers. Since the base amount on a consumer’s bill does not include the cost of gas, the GCA is used by the utility to recover the actual cost it paid for gas during a particular billing cycle. Some utilities adjust this cost factor on a monthly, quarterly or semi-annually basis. The longer adjustment periods may result in a delayed impact on the consumers’ monthly bill during times of wide fluctuations in the price of natural gas.

Consumers’ gas bills fluctuate monthly because of:

The amount of gas consumed in your home, and
The market price paid by your utility to supply gas to you for heating your home, heating water, cooking and supplying gas to other appliances.
.Who regulates the price of natural gas?

Currently, neither the Railroad Commission nor any other governmental entity regulates the price of natural gas. The price is determined by competition. The companies that supply gas to your utility compete for your utility’s business.

Who makes all the profit on the cost of gas?

The only entity that is not allowed to earn a profit on the cost of gas is your utility!

Profit is earned by the royalty owners of the minerals in the ground, the companies that drill for and produce the natural gas, the plant operators that process the natural gas for residential and commercial consumption, the pipeline companies that transport the natural gas from the field to your utility, and the marketers that buy and sell the natural gas to your utility.

Are you sure the utility doesn’t earn a profit on the GCA?

Yes. Each regulatory authority, whether it is the city where you are located or the Railroad Commission of Texas, has the regulatory burden to assure the consumer that the utility does not earn a profit on the GCA. The Railroad Commission of Texas has an audit staff that periodically audits all utilities to assure that only the cost of gas is passed on to the consumer, no more or less.

My bill is so high. What can I do?

Your utility has payment alternatives that are offered to assist its consumers in spreading out your payment. You will need to contact your utility to determine if you qualify for these payment alternatives.

Do I have to pay my bill?

Yes. Just like your electric bill, telephone bill, cable bill, rent or mortgage, you MUST pay for the gas you consumed. It is your responsibility to make arrangements to pay your bill. If you need assistance, contact your utility.

3. What recycling options are available?

The City of Rockport offers every other week, curbside, single stream (i.e. you do not have to sort recyclables) residential recycling through a contract with our sanitation collection service provider, Republic Services.  The day of the week your recycling is picked up depends on your service address.  A map of the routes and pick up dates may be found here.

At this time the following items can be recycled:

• Any plastic with a recycling triangle  
• Aluminum and other metal cans (please rinse first)
• Any paper, including catalogues, copy paper, magazines, newspaper, paperboard boxes (e.g. cereal boxes, shoe boxes) and writing paper.
• Cardboard no larger than 24 inches x 24 inches.  Please breakdown boxes.

A complete list is available by visiting the Utility Services Department page.  Unfortunately, at this time glass cannot be recycled because no processing facility exists in the region.  

Additionally, U.S. and State environmental regulations prohibit the collection of the following items:

• Paint
• Light bulbs (The Lowes store in Aransas Pass collects CFL bulbs in the customer service/returns area at the entrance to the store)
• Automotive fluids (most automotive repair shops and auto parts stores will collect some or all fluids – call ahead first)
• Batteries (Lowes in Aransas Pass collects rechargeable batteries)
• Plastic shopping bags (HEB and Walmart have collection bins at the entrances to their stores)
• Electronics, e.g. computers, televisions.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has additional information on recycling, including textiles and electronics. Please call Republic Services at (800) 640-2014 if you have further questions about the recycling program.

For more information on recycling, visit : https://www.inmyarea.com/internet/guide/recycling-disposal-of-home-gadgets-and-devices

Table in English and Spanish

4. When will my garbage be picked up?

The day of the week your garbage is picked up depends on your service address. The 2022 calendar and route map are available by clicking this link

U.S. and State environmental regulations prohibit the collection of the following items:

• Paint

• Light bulbs (The Lowes store in Aransas Pass collects CFL bulbs in the customer service/returns area at the entrance to the store)

• Automotive fluids (most automotive repair shops and auto parts stores will collect some or all fluids – call ahead first)

• Batteries (Lowes in Aransas Pass collect rechargeable batteries)

• Plastic shopping bags (HEB and Walmart have collection bins at the entrances to their stores)

• Electronics, e.g. computers, televisions.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has additional information on recycling, including textiles and electronics. 

Please call Republic Waste at (800) 640-2014 for more information.