electric providers (Houston, Austin: insurance, house, luxury)

[moving_houston_soon]

I am coming from a regulated state with no choice of power providers. Can someone eplain to me how Texas electric providers work?

1. Is there any difference in the quality of the energy? Are the differences in customer service? How does customer service matter for the power company (I have never had to call my power company before)?

2. Is renewable energy such as from Spark or Green Mountain Energy just as good?

3. Any other advice on selecting a power company?

Thanks!

[Mr. Football]

I'll make this very short.

Electricity Deregulation is one of the greatest ripoffs ever.

In the mid-to-late 1990's Enron (back when it had a good name in Texas) successfully lobbied George Bush (back when he had a good name in Texas) to adopt a new Deregulation scheme. It was promised to deliver more options (it did, there a numerous new billing agencies) and lower prices (it did not, electricity rates in deregulated Texas are among the highest in the country and nearly twice what they pay in regulated Texas). The same companies produce and distribute the electricity - just as before, only now we have dozens of billing agencies to put their markup on the rates. In turn, our beloved TXU and Reliant are freed to play games here in Texas, as they did in California and elsewhere, creating artificial volatility, powering down plants and putting them on maintenance in order to acheive price spikes, so they can continue to gouge consumers who are left naked under deregulation. Electricity at luxury prices. Its still the same electricity...it's still a necessity...only now, its priced like a luxury good. Enron may be forgotten, but their legacy persists. Nobody thought to clean up all of the crappy loopholes their lobbyists successfully pushed through.

There was a movement to explore re-regulation. They were supposed to address it again this Legislative session, but our state lawmakers conveniently got in a late tiff over who the Speaker of the House should be...time ran out and this important bill simply died. Very convenient.

You'll learn rather quickly that Texas lawmakers are essentially bought and paid for, as are our regulatory agencies - which are usually staffed by industry lobbyists. They're there to serve the corporations, not the public. Texans pay some of the highest insurance and utility costs for a reason.

[charris911]

do not use Dynowatt...they turned me off on accident, and would not reconnect for 3 days. they even admitted it was their fault...also they said they would reimburse me, and they have yet to do so. Customer service awful, they did not correct my name on bill, after 2 years of trying to get them too. After they turned me off on accident, that was all I could take of them. I have Amigo Electric now, no problems...easy switch.

[moving_houston_soon]

Originally Posted by Mr. Football

I'll make this very short.

Electricity Deregulation is one of the greatest ripoffs ever.

In the mid-to-late 1990's Enron (back when it had a good name in Texas) successfully lobbied George Bush (back when he had a good name in Texas) to adopt a new Deregulation scheme. It was promised to deliver more options (it did, there a numerous new billing agencies) and lower prices (it did not, electricity rates in deregulated Texas are among the highest in the country and nearly twice what they pay in regulated Texas). The same companies produce and distribute the electricity - just as before, only now we have dozens of billing agencies to put their markup on the rates. In turn, our beloved TXU and Reliant are freed to play games here in Texas, as they did in California and elsewhere, creating artificial volatility, powering down plants and putting them on maintenance in order to acheive price spikes, so they can continue to gouge consumers who are left naked under deregulation. Electricity at luxury prices. Its still the same electricity...it's still a necessity...only now, its priced like a luxury good. Enron may be forgotten, but their legacy persists. Nobody thought to clean up all of the crappy loopholes their lobbyists successfully pushed through.

There was a movement to explore re-regulation. They were supposed to address it again this Legislative session, but our state lawmakers conveniently got in a late tiff over who the Speaker of the House should be...time ran out and this important bill simply died. Very convenient.

You'll learn rather quickly that Texas lawmakers are essentially bought and paid for, as are our regulatory agencies - which are usually staffed by industry lobbyists. They're there to serve the corporations, not the public. Texans pay some of the highest insurance and utility costs for a reason.

So even for the renewable energy, from places like Green Mountain, it still comes from the same provider and Green Mountain is only the billing agency?

[Mr. Football]

Most of the retail electric billing agencies allow you to opt for 'renewable' energy at a higher rate.

From the Green Mountain website:

Does Green Mountain Energy Company own and operate any wind farms or other renewable generation facilities?

No, Green Mountain is not an owner or operator of renewable generation facilities. Green Mountain Energy wind and solar facilities are owned and operated by various third parties and branded Green Mountain facilities through licensing agreements because the demand from our customers played a significant role in getting these projects built. Since the first facility came online in 1999, these facilities have been responsible for avoiding over 261,000 metric tons of CO2, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.

[moving_houston_soon]

Originally Posted by Mr. Football

Most of the retail electric billing agencies allow you to opt for 'renewable' energy at a higher rate.

From the Green Mountain website:

Does Green Mountain Energy Company own and operate any wind farms or other renewable generation facilities?

No, Green Mountain is not an owner or operator of renewable generation facilities. Green Mountain Energy wind and solar facilities are owned and operated by various third parties and branded Green Mountain facilities through licensing agreements because the demand from our customers played a significant role in getting these projects built. Since the first facility came online in 1999, these facilities have been responsible for avoiding over 261,000 metric tons of CO2, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.

Ok, thanks! You know what you are talking about. I cannot change the political or regulatory landscape in Houston. So what do you recommend I do for a power company, given what's happened since deregulaiton? Who do you use and why?

[kirakwik]

Originally Posted by moving_houston_soon

Ok, thanks! You know what you are talking about. I cannot change the political or regulatory landscape in Houston. So what do you recommend I do for a power company, given what's happened since deregulaiton? Who do you use and why?

I'd like to know which power company Mr. Football uses as well. I'm moving from Austin and have never had to choose my carrier either.

[Supermac34]

In Houston, all the power comes through centerpoint lines.

Your providers are here:

Texas Electric Choice | Home

[Cougar31]

I suggest you go with Reliant Energy - Your Texas Electric Provider

-only my opinion-

I am paying 14.9 cent per KWT.