Originally published by John McFarland.
The Texas legislature deregulated the retail electric market in Texas in 2002. In cities like Houston, consumers now can choose from multiple electric power providers with multiple options for service. Deregulation was touted as a way to lower costs by providing competition. So how has it worked? Not so well, according to a report by the Texas Coalition for Affordable Power.
Two major Texas cities, Austin and San Antonio, have municipally owned electric utilities and are exempt from deregulation. Eighty-five percent of Texans, including residents of Houston and Dallas, live in areas with deregulated markets. those in deregulated markets pay nearly 15% more than Texas residents with municipal utilities, like Austin and San Antonio, according to the Affordable Power Coalition’s report.
The Texas Public Utility Commission will meet with stakeholders June 21 to discuss its investigation into how to improve competition and lower competitive prices. But PUC Commissioner Ken Anderson said that consumers just aren’t shopping hard enough. “Anyone who’s paying the higher price isn’t shopping.”
Curated by Texas Bar Today. Follow us on Twitter @texasbartoday.
from Texas Bar Today http://ift.tt/237rRxq
via Abogado Aly Website
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