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Learn more about Texas electricity deregulation so
you can make an informed decision that meets
your electricity needs.
We are
here to help you understand your options and help
you save money on your energy costs.
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Frequently asked
questions about Texas electricity deregulation. |
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Q: Will the
reliability of my electricity be
affected if I change providers?
A: No matter which Retail
Electric Provider you choose, your
electricity will continue to be
delivered by the same reliable local
wires company. This aspect of
deregulation has not changed. The
local wires companies are still
regulated by the PUC and they
maintain the "wires" into your home
or business. If you do have a power
outage, it won't come back on any
faster whether you have switched
providers or not. The local wires
company is still responsible for the
maintenance and repair of your
electric service. You will still
call them in the event of an
emergency or outage at the number
provided on your bill.
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Q: What has changed with
deregulation?
A: You now have a choice in your
electricity provider other than your
affiliate electric provider. You now
have control as to who bills you for
the electricity you use in your home
or business. That’s the main
idea behind deregulation – giving
you the customer more choice and
more control. Just as other
industries have deregulated, like
airline travel, electricity was
deregulated to give customers a
choice. Exercise your freedom to
choose! The more people that take
advantage of deregulation – the
better it will be for everyone. More
competition drives down prices –
therefore electric companies will
lower their prices to keep you as a
customer.
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Q: Can anyone in Texas change to
a new electric provider?
A: Unfortunately that is not the
case. Our electric grid in Texas is
very interesting. Texas ERCOT system
grid was deregulated, but it does
not cover all of Texas. That’s the
grid that deregulated. Plus, many
city-owned utilities and electric
cooperatives that operate inside
this grid have the option of
allowing their customers a choice of
providers, but most of them have
decided not to open their area up
for competition. Those residing
inside an electric cooperative or
city-owned utility should contact
the number on their bill to find out
more information. The good thing
here is that most cooperatives and
city utilities actually provide
their customers with competitive
rates for service.
See if you have a choice, check out the
Texas Deregulation Service
Area Map.
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Q: Will what happened to the
people in California happen to us
Texans?
A: No, California really just
doesn’t have enough power to go
around. They have only built two
power plants to our 47 since 1995.
Plus, on your behalf, the PUC has
also instituted much stronger
consumer protection rules for those
in Texas and much higher
qualifications for retail electric
providers that operate in Texas.
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Q: What if I pick an electric
company that eventually goes out of
business? Will I lose power?
A: No, you will not be without
power. You should actually receive a
notice from your provider if this is
going to happen, but if something
happens and you don’t – you will
still have power. The PUC has listed
a provider of last resort for those
of unfortunate events such as this.
They will become your provider until
you can make a choice in a new
provider. |
How
does the Texas electricity market work?
Many
of us simply want to flip a switch and have the
light come on in our home or business.
Learn how electricity works in the Texas
deregulated market. |
What is Texas
Choice?
Energy costs can have a
significant impact on your family's budget.
Click here to see what Texas Deregulation can do
for you.
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What is Green Energy?
Green energy is electrical power that is
produced from clean, renewable energy sources.
Renewable energy comes from sources. |
What effects the price of
electricity?
There are many factors that influence Texas
electricity prices; weather, natural gas crude
oil prices, and others.
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How do I choose the retail
electric provider that is right for me?
There are over 50 retail
electric providers currently operating in the Texas
market. We are here to help you find the provider that
is right for you and your home.
The
typical Texas family spends $1900 per year on home
energy costs, and that figure is rising. Texas
electricity suppliers have been increasing their
prices, and you need to do what you can to lower their
energy costs more than ever. Put together a complete
energy savings plan in place for your home and reduce
your electricity consumption.
Learn More
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What is the residential
electricity switching process?
First, you need to select the
retail electric provider that meets your needs. Please
visit the
Residential Electricity section of
our website to select a provider. Once you have signed
up with a new provider and accepted their terms and
conditions, your new electric company will mail you a
Terms of Service agreement and Your Rights as a
Customer.
You do not need to contact your
current provider. Your new electric provider will
make all of the necessary requests. They will contact
ERCOT and your current TDSP (wires company) to process
the switch from your current provider. You will then
receive a notification of your switch request in the
mail. The actual changing of electric service should
take place on the next meter read, unless you requested
and paid for a special meter read date. Your old
provider will continue to send you bills until you have
paid in full and your service has been changed over.
Once you have paid the final
bill from your old electric company, you should start to
see bills from your new electric provider.
Congratulations! You have exercised your power to choose
and made the switch.
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Learn the terms used in electricity deregulation with
the
Electricity Glossary.
Texas Electricity Market News
Stay
updated on what's going on in the energy markets
and important news concerning the Texas
electricity.
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ElectricityTX.com 2010 © All
Rights Reserved Note: Texas
Power Company is not your electricity provider. We are agents
that represent retail electricity providers in Texas, helping you to
get cheaper electricity rates for your home or office. Texas
Power Company does not maintain the electricity generation into your
home or office, please contact your TDSP (Transmission Distribution
Service Provider) located on your electric bill to report problems
with your electricity service or to report an outage. Texas
Power Company - The Power More Texans Choose. |
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