Customer Interest In Electric

HOUSTON - More and more Texans are learning about their power to choose an electric provider as the opening of the state's competitive electric market draws nearer.

Recent media coverage on a new law that gives most Texans a choice of electric providers on January 1, 2002 appears to have generated greater public interest in the issue.

Texas Electric Choice, a public education campaign created by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) to educate customers about their right to choose an electric provider, saw a dramatic spike in telephone inquiries and Web site hits after a special section was published in the Houston Chronicle on Sunday, December 9.

Sunday, December 9, the day that the special section was published, saw a 47percent jump in hits on the Texas Electric Choice Web site (powertochoose.org) over the previous Sunday, and a 112 percent jump over an average Sunday.
On Monday, December 10, the Web site saw a 26 percent increase in hits above the previous Monday, and 55 percent increase above an average Monday
Also on Monday, the Texas Electric Choice Answer Center saw a 34 percent jump in the number of calls it logged over the previous Monday, and a 7 percent jump over an average Monday.
The same Monday, the Texas Electric Choice call/answer center also saw a 175 percent increase in the number of Spanish calls above the previous Monday and 68 percent above an average Monday.

"For the first time in Texas history, people will be able to choose their electric provider," said PUC Chairman Max Yzaguirre. "We' re pleased to see Texans taking the time to learn about electric choice and how they can benefit from competition for electric service, he added. "Interest and enthusiasm in this issue is clearly building as we get closer to opening the electric market to competition."

On January 1, 2002, most customers of investor-owned utilities in Texas will have the opportunity to choose a Retail Electric Provider (REP) � the company that provides their electricity. This means that electric customers can shop for REP, just as they do for other consumer products and services, based on what matters most to them, whether it�s price, customer service or renewable energy.

If you have any questions about Electric Choice, choosing your electric provider, or what�s changing in the Texas electric market, call the Texas Electric Choice toll-free number at 1-866-PWR-4-TEX (1-866-797-4839), or visit www.powertochoose.org.