Horrible Electricity Rates in Texas - Deregulation raised prices? (Austin: insurance, credit)

[teatime]

I agree that the rates are too high. However, when my current contract ended in April and I checked out the "power to choose" offers in my area, I found that we had more options now and less expensive offerings. I was able to get a "carbon neutral" plan 1 cent cheaper per kw/hr. this time so I was pleased.

I'm hoping that more wind energy and more companies coming into our market will increase competition and lower prices. Regardless, I'd NEVER go "month-to-month." Locking in the price for a year seems to be the best bet.

[NOTAM]

i went month to month, cuz i am moving to the waaaaaaaay out country around Gatesville/South Mountain/Jonesboro/Evant areas late September, and i didnt want to have a cancellation fee, cuz i think they have electric cooperatives out there perhaps.......

Originally Posted by teatime

I agree that the rates are too high. However, when my current contract ended in April and I checked out the "power to choose" offers in my area, I found that we had more options now and less expensive offerings. I was able to get a "carbon neutral" plan 1 cent cheaper per kw/hr. this time so I was pleased.

I'm hoping that more wind energy and more companies coming into our market will increase competition and lower prices. Regardless, I'd NEVER go "month-to-month." Locking in the price for a year seems to be the best bet.

[catman]

JamesAbilene: You are absolutely right. The politicians and utilities got together and told us that deregulation was going to make electricity cheaper. Sold us a bill of goods, they did.

[orbius]

The funny thing is Perdenales Coop is being hauled before Congress because of their lavish salaries and kickbacks. Yet the energy in regulated markets in Texas is still 50% cheaper than in Houston and Dallas despite this corruption.

Should show you how uncompetitive 'deregulation' is and how the companies fix prices.

[momof2dfw]

In the city I live in we can't choose who we buy our electric from as the city owns a major elec power plant. Years and years ago everyone said this city had the highest electricity in the area. Not any more. Since we have lived here for 15 years we have had lower rates than all of my relatives in neighboring cities w/ TXU. On my current bill it shows my usage amounts to $18.18 a day. Last month it was $10.03 per day. For the same month last year, $16.31 a day but our usage is up from that time last year. I guess to keep us all happy and cool $18 a day is not toooooo bad. I still wish it was lower.

[tstone]

$18 /day is not too bad?

$18 x 31 days = $558 /mo.

I'd say that's downright horrible!!!

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by tstone

$18 /day is not too bad?

$18 x 31 days = $558 /mo.

I'd say that's downright horrible!!!

Well considering my husband prefers to sleep in a meat locker. The house stays set at about 74-76 all the time. Two story, 5000 sq ft, two zones (up and down), pool, kids and dogs going in and out all the time. A teenager that doesn't get "TURN OFF THE LIGHT!" yet. I'm thinking of deducting her usage from her allowance . Overall the house is pretty energy efficient. Just that there is a lot going on. I've thought about doing some kind of solar but w/ the HOA we are not allowed to do ANY kind of solar panels. Someone even told me about some that look like shingles. No can do still. URGH!!! We have tons of trees that help shade the house as well on our lot. The way the house is situated I don't have to lose many lights at all during the day so even if we are home downstairs you won't find a light on (upstairs w/ the kids is a different story - WHY DO YOU NEED A LIGHT ON IN THE BRIGHT OF DAY W/ A BIG WINDOW LETTING IN NATURAL LIGHT!!!! - they don't get it, urgh).

If the house was half the size that would be only $9 a day. For the average user in this area w/ a house of only 2000 sq ft it would be $9-10 a day.

[cubssoxfan]

A teenager that doesn't get "TURN OFF THE LIGHT!" yet. I'm thinking of deducting her usage from her allowance .

Mom, for a while, I charged my then 9 year old a quarter each time she forgot to turn off the light-payable immediately. It worked until enforcement became lax. Wife thought I was being a meany, but she doesn't pay the bills.

[tstone]

Momof2 that's not bad on relative terms. Our house is a little less than half the size of yours, and the bill is proportional. We've done a few things to make it efficient as well. The summer heat came on a little early this year which has hurt a little.

[austinnetx]

Most of the electricity in Texas is generated by Natural Gas. It looked like a good deal when gas was 20% of what it is now.

TXU was going to build some more coal plants, but everyone is upset about "Dirty coal".

When TXU was bought by private equity, everyone cheered bcause PE decided not to build those plants.

Duh.

We'll see who will be laughing when demand outstrips supply sometime in 2010.

MO is fortunate to have nukes, coal plants, and HUGE KS windfarms to supply it as well as slow-growing population.

We need to build some more nukes in TX. I'd like to pay the pennies they do in MO.