You Have the Power to Choose Among Energy Companies in Texas

In 2002, Texas Senate Bill 7 went into action, deregulating the Texas electricity market. This gave people the power to choose a retail electric provider (REP) in deregulated areas of Texas. Electric rate plans are sold by competing providers to Texans looking to get the best plan, creating a dynamic energy marketplace.

Most areas of the state participate in electricity deregulation, with 85 percent of consumers having the ability to choose Texas electric rates, but the natural gas industry remains regulated.

Discover how to navigate the Texas electricity market

If you're new to the area or haven't shopped for Texas electric rates in a while, there are a few things you might want to know before moving forward. And if you explore the resources at SaveOnEnergy.com®, you'll become an expert in no time.

When comparing options, make sure you look at plans in your specific area to ensure an accurate comparison. REPs have varying offers based on location, meaning rates in Corpus Christi will most likely differ from rates in Fort Worth. To secure the best plan for you, compare energy companies in Texas and see which one has the features you're looking for.

An important feature to consider is plan type. Plans may include fixed, variable and indexed rates, which are the prices you pay per kilowatt hour (kWh). If you want a price-protected supply rate, choose a fixed-rate plan. If the potential of getting a low rate one month and a higher one the next appeals to you, then variable-rate plans might be best for you. Indexed plans may vary each month, but the rate ties directly to another commodity and may offer more stability.

Texas electricity offers choice, but transmission and delivery of electricity still falls under the responsibility of your utility. No matter who you select as your REP, your utility will continue to deliver electricity and maintain the power lines in your neighborhood.

Knowing your utility

Five utilities service Texas electricity areas that offer the power to choose:

• AEP Central (Corpus Christi, Laredo, McAllen, Victoria...)
• AEP North (Abilene, San Angelo...)
• CenterPoint Energy (Houston, Galveston...)
• Oncor (Dallas-Ft. Worth, Midland, Odessa, Plano, Addison...)
• Sharyland (Brady, McAllen...)
• TNMP (Glen Rose, Meridian, Fort Stockton...)

Enter your ZIP code to see if you can get competitive Texas electricity plans in your utility area.

Select a city below to learn more about Texas electricity information near you:

Find out if you can choose your Texas electricity provider

While most of the state has the power to choose supply plans, 15 percent of Texans reside in electricity-regulated areas. Some places have cooperatives or city-owned utilities where residents do not have the ability to choose their Texas electricity plans. Where this is the case, utilities decide if consumers pay the rates it sets or if they can choose plans from energy providers. In addition, the Public Utility Commission of Texas doesn't allow deregulation in areas with little competition, including the service areas of Entergy Gulf States, Southwestern Public Service Company, El Paso Electric and AEP SWEPCO.

What to do if you experience a power outage

During power loss, report the interruption of service to your utility as soon as possible. Reporting outages can help the utility assess the problem and restore power sooner. Find your utility's outage contact information below:

Oncor
Outage hotline: 1-888-313-4747

CenterPoint
Outage hotline: 1-800-332-7143

AEP(North and Central)
Outage hotline: 1-866-223-8508

TNMP
Outage hotline: 1-888-866-7456

Sharyland
Outage hotline: 1-965-668-9551

Updated: 3-16-16.