FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE PUC....

The Customer Protection Division of the PUCT provides for the submission of complaints to their office using this resource.  CLICK HERE.

POLR - PROVIDER OF LAST RESORT....

The Provider of Last Resort serves as a back-up electric service provider in the competitive retail electric market in the event a REP leaves the market for any reason.  POLR service is a safety net for customers whose chosen retail electric provider is unable to continue service.  

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) designates certificated retail electric providers to provide POLR service for each customer class in each electric utility service area that is open to competition.  It is good to know who these are.  Be sure to review the EFL (Facts Label) for your applicable service area provider under the residential column.  CLICK HERE to review the designations.

IMPORTANT ELECTRICITY SHOPPING HINTS....

In addition to the excellent and detailed guidance contained in the PUCT Brochures titled “Official Guide to Electric Choice” and “How to Shop for a Retail Electric Provider”, these additional hints are offered:

• Do your homework using Power to Choose.
• Supplement the official word with all the guidance contained in this Blog.
• Insure the price offer being considered is expressed as the Average for 1000 kWh s of usage.  Avoid some tricks of the trade..
• Aim for the low end of the price market for the product plan you are considering to maximize savings and enhance competition.
• It is a must that you read and understand the EFL (Facts Label) applicable to the plan you may have selected.
• Research the company you wish to select as your REP using all available means.
• Feel comfortable with your decision.
• The actual switch is simple to arrange either online or by telephone.

ONCOR FILES FOR 350 MILLION DOLLAR RATE INCREASE....

A rate increase sought by Oncor Electric Delivery would, if granted, result in a double-digit percentage-point jump in the charges a typical residential customer in that service area pays to the transmission and distribution utility each month.  WOW!!!  Read More here. 

PENDING RATE INCREASE FOR CENTERPOINT'S SERVICE AREA CUSTOMERS

Two administrative law judges in Austin have proposed that the Houston area's electric power distribution company increase rates by only $26 million instead of the $110 million it wants. The state Public Utility Commission, which asked the judges to examine CenterPoint Energy's proposal, will have the final say and plans to consider the issue in January. The company proposed the rate increase in July. CenterPoint operates the poles and lines that transmit electricity to more than 2 million Houston-area customers, regardless of which retail company sells them their electricity.

CITY OF DALLAS WANTS TO BECOME A REP

Its application to become a licensed Retail Electicity Provider (REP), submitted to the Public Utility Commission in September, was denied.  The City Attorney's office reports it will take court action to overturn the PUCT decision that rejected the idea.  That case is likely to be filed in District Court this month. 

The city believes it absolutely has the right under the statutes to become the first municipality in Texas to operate in this fashion.  Its aim is to eliminate a middle man and purchase electric power for its buildings and facilities at lower costs direct from the wholesale market.  Currently, this initiative doesn't involve residents of the city.

AVERAGE RATE COMPARISONS

Another resource offered by the Public Utility Commission (PUCT) is a compilation of monthly reports  of average annual rate comparisons for residential electric service for selected Retail Electric Providers (REPs) in each of the five major TDU service areas across the state expressed in cents per kWh.  The prices shown for all REPs included for the CenterPoint service area at 1000 kWhs usage for 12 month fixed rate plans exceed what is available from Champion Energy Services through participation in this aggregation.  Click below to review the data.

http://www.puc.state.tx.us/electric/rates/RESrate.cfm

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

A vital purpose of this blog is to conduct an awareness and education campaign.  Fullfilling that role dictates this additional announcement.  Another source of most valuable information on the whole gamet of electric choice is reflected on the PUCT website in the form of FAQs.  Use this link to study the questions and answers:  

 http://www.powertochoose.org/_content/_resources/faqs.asp

PUCT GUIDANCE FOR SWITCHING

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) Power To Choose website provides easily understood guidance on the switching of electricity retail providers.  Included are: Electricity Basics; Reasons For Considering Switching; Questions To Ask Yourself; Why Switch; and The Switching Process.  Use the link provided below to review this guidance information.  Remember, this aggregation project is your very best choice to make because of the savings to be realized.

http://www.powertochoose.org/_content/_switch/index.asp