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The majority of Texans benefit from a deregulated energy market, giving them the power to choose their energy provider. In deregulated areas, you work with both a utility company and a retail electric company. Your utility delivers power to your home and maintains the power infrastructure, while electricity companies sell a variety of energy plans to customers. Unlike providers, you cannot select your utility company, as it is determined by location.
There are five main utility providers in Texas: AEP Texas Central, AEP Texas North, CenterPoint Energy, Oncor Electric Delivery, and Texas-New Mexico Power.
Texas utility companies deliver power to your home or business, maintain electrical infrastructure, and respond to power outages and other electrical emergencies.
Understanding which Texas utility company serves your area is important for two main reasons.
First, if your power goes out, you’ll report it to your utility company, not your electric service provider. And second, your electric bill includes transmission and delivery charges from your utility, so understanding which company sets those fees helps you know where your costs come from.
Some cities have several Texas electric utilities servicing the area. If your city has more than one utility company, you need to confirm which one is yours before browsing energy plans and rates on Choose Texas Power’s marketplace. Your local utility company is listed on your electricity bill. New to the area or still unsure? Give our experts a call for guidance.
Regardless of which energy company you purchase electricity from, your utility charges fees for delivering your energy. Also known as Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU) charges, these fees consist of two parts: a base charge and a usage charge. Fees are set by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and vary by utility.
Currently, Texas utility base fees range from $3.24 to $7.85 per month, while usage charges range from 5.9 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to 7.2 cents per kWh. However, these fees generally change twice a year, in March and September, to account for fluctuations in energy demand.
There are five main energy utility companies in Texas. Explore this list to learn more about your local utility company.
If you’re new to Texas, navigating a deregulated energy market can be overwhelming. While you can’t choose your utility company, you have many options for your electricity provider. The Choose Texas Power marketplace makes it simple for you to shop between plans. Enter your ZIP code to browse available providers, compare current rates, and sign up for a plan that fits your needs. Our marketplace is free to use and backed by energy experts to help you find the right power plan for your needs.
No, you cannot choose your utility company in Texas. Since utility companies oversee a specific area, they are assigned by location. For example, Oncor delivers power in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, while CenterPoint Energy serves the Houston region.
Texas has five main utility companies, including Oncor Electric Delivery, CenterPoint Energy, Texas-New Mexico Power, AEP Texas Central, and AEP Texas North.
Energy providers sell electricity plans and send your monthly energy bill. Texas utility companies transport electricity from power plants to homes and businesses. In regulated energy states, one company handles both roles. But in Texas, you choose your provider while your utility is assigned based on where you live.
Your utility company is responsible for restoring power after an outage and repairing any local electrical equipment, such as poles and wires. Locate your utility company on this page and call the number listed or report the outage online.
If you don’t choose a Texas provider, you’ll likely be placed with a default provider in your area. These default plans often have more expensive prices. Comparing providers and choosing your own plan helps you find a lower rate and a plan that fits your needs.
Let us put the power in your hands with a new electricity plan.
