NEW THREAT TO HIGHER ELECTRICITY COSTS

Today's Houston Chronicle contained an article on page B11 titled "One-way rate-making hurts power customers".  The author reports that state utility officials are peddling fiscally irresponsible thinking as good policy when it comes to setting electric rates.  The proposals are known as one-way rate-making because they work in only one way: against ratepayers.  Use this link to read the complete story.

VIEW YOUR ELECTRICITY USAGE DATA

Individual electric account usage data for the past twelve months for customers served by CenterPoint and the other TDSPs is available online for viewing and download. 

This data can be especially useful for customers who do not keep their hard copy bills after review and payment or have this data furnished by their current REP on the monthly bill.  Knowing your kWh usage (high, low and average) is important when making a decision on a retail provider and a specific rate plan product.

Use this link to visit their website and obtain the information:
     http://www.centerpointenergy.com/services/electricity/residential/viewyourelectricusage/

ELECTRIC BILL FORMAT AND CONTENT

Beginning April 1, 2010, retail electric providers (REPs) must follow new rules regarding format and content for issuing monthly bills to retail customers.  Among many requirements, bills must now reflect:

• A standardized calculation of the average unit price for electric service for the current billing period, labeled, “The average price you paid for electric service this month”, expressed as a cents per kilowatt-hour amount rounded to the nearest one-tenth of one cent.
• And, the date a  fixed rate plan product will expire.

The first new bit of information will allow for apples to apples comparison of rates.  Prior to this new rule going into effect, many customers were unable to determine their true and effective rates paid due to misleading line item entries on their bills.  The latter will insure customers know when their current contracts expire so that actions may be undertaken to renew or to switch to a new provider at the appropriate time.

For more details click here to review the statutes.