Affiliated Retail
Electric Provider: A Retail Electric
Provider (REP) that is owned, and now independently
operated, by the original electric utility for that
area.
Aggregator: A company that is
registered with the Public Utility Commission that
joins two or more customers to purchase electricity
from retail electric providers in mass.
Broker: A company that facilitates
the sale and/ or purchase of electricity between
businesses and Retail Electric Providers.
Competitive Retail Electric Provider A certified
Retail Electric Provider by the PUC that competes
for your business by offering lower prices,
renewable energy options, added customer service
benefits or other incentives.
Demand: The amount of electricity
used at any given instant or averaged over a
designated period of time. Demand is usually in
measured in kilowatts or Megawatts. The Peak Demand
is the highest 15 or 30 minute recorded demand
period over 12-months.
Electric Cooperative (COOP):
Customer-owned electric utility that distributes
electricity to its members.
Electric Service Provider: A company
that provides electricity service to customers.
Electricity: The free flow of
electrons. Electric generators convert mechanical
energy into electric energy. Electrical energy is
the generation or use of electric power over a
period of time, usually expressed in kilowatt-hours
(kWh) or megawatt-hours (mWh).
Electricity Facts Label: A
standardized format sheet of information required by
the PUC that provides customers with disclosure
information on a Retail Electric Provider’s prices,
contracts, sources of power generation and
emissions. This information will give you a better
comparison of electricity offers from competing
Texas Electric Providers.
Electric Reliability Council of Texas
(ERCOT):
The corporation comprised and governed by a board of
directors from investor and municipally own electric
utilities, generators, independent members and
consumers to maintain and ensure the reliability of
the power grid that operates in the State of Texas.
They make sure you get electricity into your home or
business.
ESI I.D. (Electric Service Identifier):
A unique number in the ERCOT market given to an
electricity delivery point by the TDSP. You can find
this number on your electricity bill.
Generation: The production of
electricity. Electricity in Texas is generated from
natural gas, nuclear, coal, wind, water, and solar
energy. Since 1995, Texas has built or has under
construction, some 27,000 MW of generation capacity
and is projected to have reserve margins in excess
of 25% through 2006.
Kilowatt-Hour (kWh): A measurement
of energy equal to one kilowatt (kW) of power for a
one-hour duration. This is the amount of electricity
electricity providers charge you on your bill for
each billing period.
Local Wires Company (TDSP – Transmission and
Distribution Service Provider): Transmits
and delivers the electricity to a customer’s home or
business along the poles and wires. This company is
responsible for maintenance and repair of these
poles and wires and regulated by the PUC.
Municipally or City Owned Utility:
A non-profit electricity provider that is owned and
operated by the municipality it serves. Texas
city-owned utilities may decide whether or not their
customers will have a choice of REPs. Customers
should contact their electric cooperative or city
utility for more information.
Price to Beat: Set by the Public
Utility Commission of Texas, Residential and small
commercial customers of the Affiliate Retail
Electric Provider receive a standard rate offering
for their electricity. This is designed to give
customers a discount and foster competition amongst
Retail Electric Providers to offer lower rates.
Provider of Last Resort: The
Provider of Last Resort becomes your provider when a
Retail Electric Provider exits the market for any
reason. If this happens, customers may switch back
to the Affiliate Retail Electric Provider or
establish service with a new Retail Electric
Provider.
Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC)
:
The state agency that is responsible for the
regulation and oversight of electric services in
Texas. The Public Utility Commission regulates the
delivery of electricity to ensure the safety and
reliability of your service. The mission of the
Public Utility Commission of Texas is to protect
customers, foster competition, and promote high
quality infrastructure.
Renewable (Green) Energy:
Electricity that is made from fuel resources from
the environment, such as wind, water, or solar.
Retail
Electric Provider: A company that sells
electricity to customers. All Retail Electric
Providers must be certified to do business by the
Public Utility Commission of Texas.
Terms of Service: Contract between
a Retail Electric Provider and a customer that
outlines fees, length of service and other important
information.
Texas
Electric Choice: The public education
program managed by the Public Utility Commission to
inform Texans about their options in a competitive
retail electric market.
Transmission and Distribution (Wire Company):
Transmits and delivers the electricity to a
customer’s home or business along the poles and
wires. This company is responsible for maintenance
and repair of these poles and wires and regulated by
the PUC.
Usage: The measurement of
electricity used during the billing cycle listed in
kilowatt-hours (kWh) on your electric bill as kWh.
Your Rights As a Customer Disclosure:
A document that informs you of your rights as
mandated by the PUC. Retail Electric Providers must
provide you with this disclosure.
