Category Archives: Policy and Reform

Blackout Threat Down This Summer

A new report suggests policymakers have breathing room to confront the state’s future generation challenges. TCAP cautions against rushed actions that could increase electricity prices. Continue reading

Posted in Blackout, Electric Rates, ERCOT, Policy and Reform, PUC, Summer, Texas Coalition for Affordable Power, Texas Public Utility Commission, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

ERCOT: An Island Unto Itself

Should Texas allow more connections between its main transmission grid and other states? Some want a second look. Continue reading

Posted in ERCOT, Policy and Reform, PUC, Resource Adequacy, Texas Coalition for Affordable Power, Texas Legislature, Texas Public Utility Commission, Texas Tribune, Transmission, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

PUC Seeks Higher Energy Prices to Protect Against Blackouts

Strategies intended to encourage more generation construction in Texas could increase electric bills. Continue reading

Posted in Electric Rates, Policy and Reform, PUC, Resource Adequacy, Texas Coalition for Affordable Power, Texas Public Utility Commission, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Growing Controversy over Texas Smart Meters

Lawmakers, regulators and the press have begun receiving complaints about new smart meters, with some Texans complaining that they could undermine health and personal liberty. Continue reading

Posted in CenterPoint, Donna Nelson, Meters, Oncor, Policy and Reform, Smart Meter, Texas Legislature, Texas Public Utility Commission, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Big Fine from Feds in Energy Case: Does Texas need more authority?

The federal counterpart to our own Public Utility Commission has assessed a penalty for market manipulation dwarfing anything like it levied in Texas. Continue reading

Posted in Burt Solomons, Policy and Reform, Texas Coalition for Affordable Power, Texas Legislature, Texas Public Utility Commission, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

TXU Buyout: After Millions Spent on Lobbyists, a Bad Bet

Consumer advocates had sounded the alarm about the massive debt used in the buyout of TXU in 2007. And now, five years later, that debt has become crushing. Says one analyst about the energy giant’s chances: “The game may not be over just yet, but the prospects don’t look so good.” Continue reading

Posted in Energy Future Holdings, Policy and Reform, Texas Coalition for Affordable Power, Texas Legislature, TXU | Tagged , | Leave a comment

What is the Texas Coalition for Affordable Power?

Find out more about the Texas Coalition for Affordable Power, one of the state’s leading coalitions of energy consumers. Continue reading

Posted in Electric Deregulation, Electric Rates, Policy and Reform, PUC, Texas Coalition for Affordable Power | Tagged | Leave a comment

Warning: New Proposals Designed to Increase Prices, Company Profits

Artificial price supports in the competitive market? Price caps become price floors? New regulatory proposals offer “heads I win, tails you lose” vision of deregulation. Continue reading

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TCAP Releases Report for 10-Year Anniversary of Deregulation

So, after 10 years of electric deregulation: how has Texas fared? A new report from the Texas Coalition for Affordable Power provides answers. Continue reading

Posted in Complaints, Electric Deregulation, Electric Rates, Policy and Reform, Texas Public Utility Commission, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Price supports for deregulated electric companies?

Should policymakers in Texas approve measures intended specifically to increase profits for deregulated power companies? Continue reading

Posted in Donna Nelson, ERCOT, Policy and Reform, Resource Adequacy | 3 Comments