Natural gas has been vital in helping keep energy costs low. In fact, the report finds that residential consumers alone saw $7.2 billion in savings from 2006 to 2016, thanks to cheap, abundant natural gas. This is particularly notable considering that almost four million Texans – or approximately 15 percent – live in poverty, and low-income households spend roughly one-third of their incomes on energy. The cost savings from natural gas means these families don’t have to make as many tough budget decisions – including whether to pay bills or buy groceries.