Texas Electric Choice Brings $1.5 Billion in Benefits

April 2003

The Public Utilities Commission of Texas confirms the retail electric market is working:

"The Commission estimates in this report that retail customers have saved, at a minimum, over $1.5 billion in electricity costs during the first year of competition as compared to the regulated rates in effect during 2001... Customers are continuing to exercise their opportunity to choose an electric provider in increasing numbers... As of December 2002, residential customers had at least three choices of REPs, and in some service areas, had a choice of ten different providers, and even more product offerings, including renewable, or "green," power."

Business customers achieve service benefits with competitive suppliers

"We're a large user of electricity with very sophisticated energy needs. Retail competition has paid off for us because it gave us the opportunity to shop the market for a supplier that was capable of understanding our unique challenges and then structuring a procurement strategy that's tailor-made for us." -- TXI, Dallas, TX

The Los Angeles Times also reports Texas is an example of benefits electric choice can bring to consumers and businesses: "Texas is walking slowly and relatively smoothly into its second year of electricity deregulation, with lower bills and many apparently satisfied customers." -- Power Deregulation: A Tale of Two States, Los Angeles Times, March 17, 2003.