CHANGE IS GOOD….

Here, change is intended to mean switching to one of the new non-affiliated retail providers that has entered the state’s deregulated electricity market place to compete with the legacy providers, i.e., TXU and Reliant.

The pace of switching throughout the state has fallen off for the past two years according to the latest report of the PUCT. This is not good. The general population has become too complacent and would be better served if they were not satisfied with status quo with regard to their electricity accounts. This is wrong when the majority need to cut household costs and save in the current economic climate.

The continued erosion of market share and the number of residential customers held by the old monopolistic incumbent providers will pressure them to lower rates even more causing the market overall to improve. Lower prices, improved rate plan products, terms of service, and customer service will benefit all residential customers.

Switching is safe, almost effortless and seamless. Reliability of service is unaffected. Rules established by the PUC during 2010 provide new protections for the consumers. This is good. Homeowners are urged to become better informed on all matters dealing with “Right of Choice”.

ABOUT ELECTRIC CHOICE

Most Texans have the option to choose their Retail Electric Provider (REP). This has been the case since the inception of deregulation in our state on 1 January 2002.  Just like you shop around for home insurance, fuel for your auto, or a bag of groceries, you can shop around to find the company and rate plan product that best fits your electricity needs at the lowest cost.  Now, we all should shop for the lowest price of electricity for our home or business the same as any other commodity. 

Rest easy – switching providers will not interrupt your electricity service. All that changes is the company that sells you power.....sends you the bill and provides customer service..... not the company that maintains the poles and wires that deliver electricity to your home or business. The reliability of your service will not be affected by your choice of provider, and if a power outage occurs for any reason, your service will still be restored just as before regardless of which company you’re with.

Switching is simple and seemless.  It costs nothing.  Just  sign up on their web site. They’ll send you a “Terms of Service” agreement, which is your new service contract.  Review it carefully because after you receive it you'll only have three business days to cancel without penalty, if your Terms of Service provides for a penalty. You will also receive a postcard in the mail telling you that the switch request has been received and processed and will tell you how to cancel the switch.