Jan. 25, 2012
Electric Deregulation Promises Remain Unfulfilled
Texans under electric deregulation have consistently paid more for electricity than Texans living in areas that remain outside deregulation, according to a new report released for the 10-year anniversary of retail competition.
Oct. 6, 2011
Texas Coalition for Affordable Power Names First Executive Director
The Texas Coalition for Affordable Power, the largest city coalition of its kind in the state, has announced the appointment of Randolph Moravec, Ph.D, as its first executive director.
July 25, 2011
RechargeTexas.com: Electricity Complaints Skyrocket under Deregulation
Electricity complaints have skyrocketed under the Texas electric deregulation law — from fewer than 2,100 received each year by the state’s Public Utility Commission to an average of more than 12,000 under deregulation, according to an analysis by RechargeTexas.com.
May 18, 2011
This Week at RechargeTexas.com: The State Office of Administrative Hearings May Be the Most Important State Agency You’ve Never Heard Of
Two key pieces of legislation currently pending in Austin, Senate Bills 655 and 661, could impact what millions pay for utility service. For anyone with gas or electric service these bills are important. But crucial details remain to be worked out.
Apr. 13, 2011
New Legislation Makes Your Electric Bill More Transparent
House Bill 1006 and Senate Bill 948, currently pending in the Texas Legislature, would require all competitive electricity providers to offer a standard one-year, fixed-rate package, easing the confusion often associated with hidden fees and charges felt by many Texas consumers in the deregulated electricity market.
Feb. 25, 2011
New Study from the Texas Coalition for Affordable Power: $15.5 Billion in Excess Electric Costs under Texas Electric Deregulation
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the organization now under fire for the recent blackouts in Texas, has a history of missteps, mismanagement and broken deadlines, according to a new study released Monday to all members of the Texas Legislature.
Feb. 14, 2011
New Study Finds History of Mismanagement at ERCOT
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the organization now under fire for the recent blackouts in Texas, has a history of missteps, mismanagement and broken deadlines, according to a new study released Monday to all members of the Texas Legislature.
July 6, 2010
Statement by Jay Doegey, Chairman of the Cities Aggregation Power Project, Regarding Sunset Advisory Commission Recommendations on the PUC and ERCOT
The Sunset Advisory Commission struck a blow for Texas electricity consumers on Tuesday by calling for more fiscal oversight of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. Texans depend upon ERCOT to manage the power grid and to oversee much of the state’s deregulated electricity market. But ERCOT’s spending and borrowing have increased in recent years to alarming levels. Under recommendations adopted by the legislative Sunset Advisory Commission, ERCOT would face new requirements that it obtain prior approval from regulators for its annual budget and for its use of debt. CAPP recommended both accountability measures in the interest of protecting Texas consumers, who ultimately must foot the bill for ERCOT’s spending.
May 27, 2010
Texas lawmakers consider consumers energy reforms, electricity prices
Reducing confusion in the Texas electricity market, encouraging policies to bring Texas rates back down to their historic levels below the national average, and cracking down on anti-competitive abuses — these reforms and more were among those offered this week to state lawmakers.
Apr. 13, 2010
Statement of Jay Doegey, Chairman of the Cities Aggregation Power Project, Inc., on free market reforms for deregulated Texas electricity.
“Like most other Texans, our city residents have suffered through the price hikes. We remember when our electric rates were below the national average, back before Texas deregulated its electricity markets. But almost as soon as the new market began, our rates shot well above the national average — and have stayed there. In fact, in the decade since lawmakers passed the deregulation law, the increase in average residential rates in Texas has outstripped the increases in almost every other state in the country, including the increases in most deregulated states.”
Jan. 27, 2010
Statement of Geoffrey Gay, general counsel for several groups of cities that participate in both the regulated and deregulated energy markets.
“The Texas Public Policy Foundation, an Austin-based organization consistently cited by the electric industry to lend credence to anti-consumer policies, has released yet another misleading report about the dismal record of electric prices under deregulation. Here are the simple facts: for years before deregulation, Texas residential consumers paid rates below the national average. For years after market restructuring, Texans have paid rates above the national average.
Dec. 8, 2009
Statement by Geoffrey Gay, General Counsel of the Cities Aggregation Power Project, Inc., relating to new electric industry report
In a new report, The Energy Retailer Research Consortium, an industry front group, attempts to mislead the public regarding the success of electric retail deregulation by comparing the Texas experience to the minority of states that have adopted retail deregulation. From an industry perspective, Texas is the leader of the other 13 states that have embraced deregulation. From a consumer perspective, Texas is the big loser.
Sept. 9, 2009
Texas Cities Record Savings of $37 Million on Municipal Power Needs
More than 140 Texas communities saved a collective $37 million on their municipal electric bills in 2008 as members of the Cities Aggregation Power Project (CAPP) and the South Texas Aggregation Project, two statewide group-purchase alliances. The savings were disclosed in a report filed this month with the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) by the two groups.
June 4, 2009
Solomons, Keffer, Davis and Turner are heroes for Texas consumers
“When it comes to protecting consumer pocketbooks, among the most important bills of the 81st Texas Legislature were those offered by Chairman Burt Solomons, Chairman Jim Keffer, Rep. Sylvester Turner and Sen. Wendy Davis. Each pushed measures to help bring relief to Texas electric ratepayers. They clearly identified the needs of their constituents and they acted to meet them.
April 13, 2009
Texas Mayors Urge Legislature to Fix Electric Deregulation Faults
A group of Texas mayors speaking on behalf of more than 150 communities across the state have come to Austin with a message: pass legislation to help lower electric bills for Texas consumers.
April 6, 2009
Op-Ed: Debunking Myths about Electric Deregulation in Texas
Despite years of price increases, power generation companies keep insisting that Texans were dealt a winning hand with electric deregulation. Of course anyone who pays an actual light bill doesn’t buy into this fiction. But the industry lobby continues undeterred, especially in Austin. Their apparent mission: cloud the issue so as to block meaningful reform.