Use Your Power to Choose
In Texas, your electricity provider is up to you.
Understanding Deregulated Energy
The Public Utility Commission of Texas made Texas a deregulated energy state in 2002. Now, most Texas residents can choose from a growing list of Retail Electricity Providers (REPs) when shopping for electricity. REPs buy electricity from wholesale suppliers and then sell it to consumers.
Energy deregulation encourages competition between REPs, which helps Texans. REPs compete for business, enticing some consumers with perks and others with energy from alternative sources. If you’re new to Texas, don’t settle for one provider because you think you have to. Shop around until you find the company that best meets your needs.
Exercise Your Power to Choose
As you begin shopping around, exercise your power to choose electricity by looking at a variety of REPs and what they offer to consumers.
If you’re switching providers to save money, consider rates, but read the fine print on contracts and plan types—variable versus fixed rates will affect costs over time.
Choose electricity providers who give extra incentives or rewards for signing up. One of the main perks of deregulated energy is competition—take advantage of it.
Think about alternative energy. If sustainability concerns you, choose an REP that offers green energy. Green energy usually refers to energy made from renewable sources, like wind or hydro, but the phrase means different things depending on the company.
Power to Choose Texas
If you’re just moving to Texas, the information on this site might differ slightly from what you’re used to. Even if you lived in a deregulated energy state previously, do some research before you buy to make sure you understand the process.
Check to see if your city is deregulated. Deregulated energy is legal across Texas, but participation varies by city. Unsure about your city? Give us a call.
Make sure you understand the difference between utility companies, REPs, and Transportation and Distribution Service Providers (TDSPs).
Utility companies produce electricity
REPs purchase electricity from utility companies, then sell it to consumers
TDSPs ensure consistent delivery of electricity to homes and businesses
How Does Power to Choose Work?
Getting the most out of your power to choose is pretty simple. As long as you live in a deregulated part of the state, you’re eligible to switch REPs whenever you want to. Our site will help you find an REP that offers the right balance of fair rates, flexible plans, and useful extra benefits to keep you a customer for years to come. You have the right to get out of a contract that isn’t working for you and find a better solution. You may incur fees depending on the terms of your contract, but you aren’t legally bound to stay with a provider that isn’t working.
Ready to start shopping? Visit our Compare Providers page to get an overview of the REPs we’ve chosen to feature on our site.
Or, if you’re ready to see which providers and plans are available in your area, head back to our homepage to get recommendations specific to your zip code.