A Texas resident has filed a class action lawsuit seeking over $1 billion against power retailer Griddy Energy LLC, alleging the wholesale company of engaging in “price gouging” and unlawfully charging thousands of dollars. Lisa Khoury of Chambers County claims she was charged with an excessive electricity bill during a deadly winter storm that knocked many power supply facilities offline, according to a petition (pdf) filed with the Harris County District Court. Attorneys representing Khoury said in the suit the utility customers’ bill for the period of Feb. 1–19 spiked to a total of $9,546. Her monthly bill normally averages between $200 and $250 and she usually keeps a $150 balance in her account to pay the bills. Khoury said she tried to reach the company repeatedly after the retailer automatically withdrew eight times the amount of $150 from her bank account between the period of Feb. 13–18, totaling $1,200. Griddy never answered …