The Dallas Morning News recently said electricity deregulation didn't work. Not so, says former Texas Public Utility Commissioner and former FEC Commissioner Pat Wood:
The Dallas Morning News broadly criticized the Public Utility Commission on customer protection issues after running two articles on prepaid electric providers. It is only fair to put negative stories in the broader context of a well-monitored, competitive market that is working well.
It is incorrect to say that the competitive market has weakened the PUC's customer protections. In fact, in breaking open the retail power monopolies in 1999, the Legislature insisted on more protection of customers than we had under full regulation. As PUC chairman at the time, I worked with a broad collaborative group to set up the "rules of the road" before the market opened in 2002. And since then, the Legislature and the PUC have enhanced those protections.
In addition, today's open market provides Texans with rates lower than TXU's last regulated 9.7 cent per kilowatt-hour rate in 2001. On www.powertochoose.org, I see that Dallas customers can get flexible rates as low as 8.6 cents per kwh and fixed-term rates of 9 cents per kwh. If you aren't getting rates like that, shop around. And when you do, know that your customer protections are stronger than ever.
Pat Wood III, Houston
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1 comment:
This makes me upset... we're now paying about $.14 per kwh in Tampa Bay.
Good job TX!
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