AUSTIN – With only a few shopping days left in the holiday season, Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chairman Rebecca Klein is encouraging Texans to consider adding another item to their holiday shopping list – electricity.  Since January 2002, Texans living in areas of electric competition have had the opportunity choose the company that provides electricity to their residence or business.

“Shoppers should take a look at the Retail Electric Providers offering service throughout the state and compare them on various factors – lower prices, enhanced customer service, even environmentally friendly sources of power,” said Chairman Klein.  “The choice is up to you – that’s what competition is all about.”

Klein recommends that people take a good look at the range of choices – just as when purchasing a new car, television or long-distance provider. Texans throughout the state are shopping for electric service.  Latest numbers show approximately 320,000 residential customers (roughly 6.5 percent) have already switched to a new electric provider. 

There are more than 25 active Retail Electric Providers in Texas serving all classes of customers.  Residential customers have between three and 11 offers from which to choose.  In 2002, a residential customer who switched to the lowest cost provider saved between $80 and $165 over the year.

There are three easy steps to help customers choose a new electric provider.  They are:

·        Call/Click: Have the ZIP Code handy and call the toll-free Answer Center at 1-866-PWR-4-TEX (866-797-4839) for a list of electric providers serving their area.  Online, simply click on the “Choose Now” section of www.powertochoose.org and enter the ZIP code for a list of providers.

·        Compare: Contact area electric providers and ask about each company’s electric rates and services. Ask for each company’s Electricity Facts Label, which provides details on electric rates, contract terms, sources of power generation, and other important information in a standardized, easy-to-read format. The Electricity Facts Label can help customers make an “apples-to-apples” comparison of offers.  A comparison of offers and Electricity Facts Labels from area electric providers is also available at www.powertochoose.org.

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·        Choose: After comparing offers, customers can choose the electric provider that best meets their particular needs.  Remember to ask for two important items: a Terms of Service agreement and the “Your Rights as a Customer” document.  If customers decide to switch, it is not necessary for customers to contact their current utility to inform them of their choice.  Customers can choose their electric provider by calling the provider of their choice or by visiting the provider’s website.  Phone numbers and links to the websites of the electric providers are listed on www.powertochoose.org, and are available by calling 1-866-PWR-4-TEX (866-797-4839).

For a free brochure on electric choice in either English or Spanish, call toll-free 1-866-797-4839 or visit the web at www.powertochoose.org or www.poderdeescoger.org.  Additional publications are available in English and Spanish, and alternative materials will be provided on the Web site for customers with visual impairments. Customers also can call the toll-free TDD number (877-864-4725).