Power to Choose - Texas
Let's face it: When it comes to electricity, coal is out and "green" is in.
Renewable sources like wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass are all the rage
right now as environmental topics like global warming and electric blackouts
fill the news hole. Finally, some states are equipping consumers with the
power to choose their source of power from a Retail Electric Provider (REP)
and allowing consumers to finally decide for themselves which type of
electricity they'll purchase to keep the lights running in their homes.
Consumers can choose an REP supplying electricity primarily from natural gas or
an REP that specializes in wind-generated electricity.
To switch suppliers involves little headache on the part of the buyer.
Although switching does mean choosing a different energy provider, the actual
delivery of the electricity, the "transmission and distribution," is still
covered by one's local transmission and distribution service provider. Although
one may choose a supplier and a generation source, the company that maintains
the poles, wires, and meters as well as handles emergency outages remains the
same.
The Lone Star State is a pioneer in the deregulated energy marketplace, and
its public utilities authority, the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUCT)
states that millions of Texans have switched from their primary utility company
to an alternative that more adequately fits their energy and/or environmental
needs. One advocate of the program noted that his switch from a large "corrupt"
energy corporation to an REP was saving him five cents a kilowatt hour.
The PUCT has developed several resources to help consumers research REPs
before they make a switch. The PUCT maintains a shopping and comparison site at
www.powertochoose.com. This Power to Choose site provides consumers with a wealth of
information regarding various REPs and their offers in the marketplace. The PUCT
advises consumers to not only look at an REP's unit price but also consider
product types such as fixed or variable, the contract periods and the renewable
makeup of the product. We hope that after researching Dynowatt we will become
your Texas electric choice!