| Texas Electric
Choice Month - A Time to Shop and Compare
AUSTIN – Texas Gov. Rick
Perry has declared April 2003 as Texas Electric Choice
Month.
The Governor’s declaration is part
of a statewide campaign created by the Public Utility
Commission of Texas (PUC) to educate Texans about electric
competition and the choice it brings.
“Texans are learning that they can
save money by shopping for electric service,”
said Gov. Perry. “Giving customers power over
their buying decisions is what choice is all about.”
Saving money is just one of the many ways
Texas Electric Choice can benefit Texans, but for many
electric customers price is the most important factor
when choosing a Retail Electric Provider.
“Customers who switch to the lowest
cost provider can save between $180 and $324 over the
year,” said Rebecca Klein, Chairman of the Public
Utility Commission (PUC). “We encourage every
Texan to learn how Texas’ competitive electric
market works and how to shop for the electric provider
that’s best for them.”
Gov. Perry also encouraged Texans to take
advantage of some shopping tips that can make selecting
the right Retail Electric Provider a little easier.
The PUC requires all Retail Electric Providers
to provide potential electric customers with all the
information necessary to make an “apples-to-apples”
comparison of offers from competing companies. In fact,
the PUC requires each electric provider to present this
information in a standardized, easy-to-understand format
known as an Electricity Facts Label.
Similar to a nutrition label found on
many food products, the Electricity Facts Label allows
a customer to compare information, making it easier
for customers to select a Retail Electric Provider based
on what matters most to them.
The Electricity Facts Label provides information
on electric prices, contract terms, sources of generation
and emissions levels. These “ingredients”
can help customers make an informed decision about their
electric service.
- Electricity Price — Includes
the average cost of electricity in cents per kilowatt-hour
(kWh) at various usage levels. The price includes
all charges for generation (including fuel), delivery
and customer service. Any incentives or promotional
offers from the Retail Electric Provider are also
included in this price.
- Contract Terms — Specifically
informs customers about the duration of a contract
and cancellation fees (if any).
- Sources of Power Generation —
A percentage-based list of the fuel used to generate
electricity. Retail Electric Providers may purchase
power from different generation plants that use various
fuels such as natural gas, coal, nuclear energy or
renewable sources like wind and solar.
- Emissions — The amount of air
emissions attributed to the sources of generation
used to produce power. Use the bar chart to see how
the Retail Electric Provider’s emissions compare
to the Texas average.
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