Texas Energy Deregulation
Understanding energy deregulation and how it can benefit your
business is the biggest challenge facing consumers. Unfortunately concerns about
reliability issues, and misinformation regarding actual savings have created a
great deal of confusion. There are a number of myths in the market that
consumers need to be aware of before making an informed energy decision.
The basic concept of energy deregulation in Texas is to develop a better service
for the customer by creating a climate of competition.
The Texas Electric Market has successfully completed its first year. As of
February 7, 2003 more than 683,000 retail customers have saved more than $1.5
billion in the first year of competition as compared to the regulated rates in
effect during 2001. Almost 90% of large industrial customers have chosen
competitive providers or alternative REPs.
History of Deregulation in Texas:
|
November 2002:
|
Texas' Electric Plan Best in the Nation |
|
June 2002:
|
More than 50,000 businesses have switched
providers |
|
January 2002:
|
Undecided were automatically switched to their
utilities affiliated retail energy provider (AREP) |
|
January 2001:
|
Mandated deregulation becomes effective in
Texas |
|
June 1999:
|
Gov. George W. Bush Signed Senate Bill 7 |
The following are the major Texas cities profiting from deregulation:
Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Abilene, Arlington, Corpus
Christi, Laredo, Lufkin, McAllen, Midland, Nacogdoches, Pasadena, Odessa, Plano,
San Angelo, Richardson, Temple, Tyler, Waco, Victoria, Wichita Falls