What is the power to choose electricity in Texas?

More than 20 years ago, Texas deregulated its energy market, leaving the residents of its cities the ability to choose their own electricity providers and rate plans. By opening up the market to competing retail electric providers, lawmakers hoped to take control away from utility companies and put the power to choose in consumers’ hands.

With the freedom to choose, however, comes an overwhelming array of options. The state introduced PowertoChoose.org to help consumers find their footing in this new market. This Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) site serves as a central place for consumers to browse plans and compare electricity rates. The site has provider and plan information, however, you must ultimately visit provider websites to sign up for plans.

If you’re looking for an alternative, Choose Texas Power is a one-stop shop to help you find and sign up for an energy plan that’s right for you. We provide an array of resources, provider information, and plans you can browse and sign up for in just a few minutes. Enter your ZIP code to choose an energy provider today.

ChooseTexasPower.org is not affiliated with Power to Choose, powertochoose.org, or the PUCT.

How is Choose Texas Power different from PowertoChoose.org?

Choose Texas Power is a free, independent marketplace Texans can use to explore and compare current electricity companies, plans, and rates. Choose Texas Power’s free, open marketplace offers transparent and honest information for shoppers seeking to take advantage of their power to choose in Texas. Instead of browsing our site and then going to provider domains to complete the sign-up process, you can do it all right here. 

Interested in learning about the Choose Texas Power difference for yourself? Enter your ZIP code to begin browsing and comparing electricity plans in your area.

Understanding the power to choose in Texas

The Texas energy market was deregulated in 2002. Energy customers gained the power to choose their energy rates and plans from various providers. Consumers are no longer limited to getting their electricity from the local utility company. Instead, they can choose their energy provider and look for ways to save on their electricity rates. Deregulation in Texas is designed to increase competition between energy providers and help many Texans reduce their energy costs.

About 85% of Texas has access to deregulated energy. Only a few areas, such as Austin and San Antonio, aren’t deregulated. The largest cities in Texas that offer you the power to choose electricity plans include:

• Houston
• Dallas
• Fort Worth
• Arlington
• Corpus Christi
• Waco
• Irving

If you’re ready to choose your power in Texas, enter your ZIP code and start comparing electricity plans now.

What is the power to choose?

Understanding your power to choose an energy provider in Texas is critical to saving on your energy plan. “Power to choose” refers to Texans’ freedom to choose their power provider. This process differs from traditional energy markets, where residents have no option but to buy their energy from a local utility. PowertoChoose.org is the official website of the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUCT), where consumers can browse plans. The site can be difficult to navigate and compare plans, leading to the development of independent marketplaces, such as Choose Texas Power.

ChooseTexasPower.org is not affiliated with Power to Choose, powertochoose.org, or the PUCT.

Types of plans offered in Texas

As a Texas resident, you can choose from many electricity plans. However, they fall into three main categories:

• Fixed-rate plans: These electricity plans secure a fixed price for your energy for a set period so you can more accurately plan and budget. Popular fixed-rate plans usually last one to three years. One drawback is that you’ll have to pay an early termination fee if you end your contract before it expires.
• Variable-rate plans: If you choose a variable-rate option, your energy price will fluctuate each month based on changes in the energy market. You may get very low prices during periods of low demand. On the other hand, your bill can rise sharply when demand spikes during the hot summer months or cold winter spells.
• No-deposit plans: If your credit score doesn’t meet a provider’s required threshold, you’ll likely have to pay a deposit before you can begin your service. To avoid this cost, you can opt for a no-deposit or prepaid energy plan.

Power to choose your Houston electricity

Thanks to its deregulated energy market, Houston residents have the power to choose their energy plans and providers. You can choose between top electricity providers such as TXU Energy, Direct Energy, Gexa Energy, and many other options. 

The utility company in Houston is CenterPoint Energy. Your utility is responsible for managing electrical lines and responding to power outages. Remember to contact CenterPoint, not your energy provider, to report an outage or a downed power line.

Power to choose electricity in Fort Worth

Residents in Fort Worth also have the freedom to shop for energy plans from different providers, such as 4Change Energy, Frontier Utilities, and Constellation Energy. Residential and business customers can select the rate and plan that works for their needs and budget.

In Fort Worth, the utility company is Oncor Electric Delivery.

Choose green energy in Texas

Texas is one of the nation’s leaders in renewable energy generation. The state produces the most wind energy in the U.S. and consistently ranks in the top five states for solar power production. 

Because of this, most Texas energy plans include a portion of green energy, enabling consumers to choose a power plan using renewable electricity. Choose Texas Power can help Texans find a green power plan that includes renewable sources such as wind or solar energy at competitive rates. Some providers, including Green Mountain Energy and Gexa Energy, specialize in offering energy plans powered by 100% renewable energy.

Choosing your power FAQs

How do I find the cheapest electricity rates in my city?

Choose Texas Power offers a free, independent marketplace to help you find the cheapest rates in your local area. Enter your ZIP code for the most accurate results, then browse the options available near you. Once you find the most affordable plan, you can sign up in minutes.

Why should I choose a fixed-rate plan?

Fixed-rate plans help you plan a budget by setting a predictable electricity rate for 12–36 months. As a result, you’ll be protected against price spikes when demand for energy rises. However, if you expect to change plans soon or if rates are especially high right now, a variable-rate plan might be a good short-term choice.