Southwest Power and Light

In 2002, Texas introduced a deregulated energy market, which allows consumers to select their own electricity provider. This has led to increased competition among providers, resulting in lower energy costs and improved customer service for consumers. However, despite this, many residents of Texas remain unaware of the benefits of deregulation.

The deregulated market operates by enabling consumers to choose their preferred electricity provider, rather than being limited to the utility company that services their area. This creates competition among providers, who must offer competitive rates and plans to attract customers. This competition fosters innovation and improvement within the industry, resulting in improved service and lower costs for consumers.

Consumers can take advantage of this competition by comparing rates and plans from different providers to find the best option for their needs. They also have the option to switch providers or plans if a more favorable option becomes available.

However, the abundance of energy companies and plans in Texas can make it difficult for consumers to find the best option for them. To mitigate this, there are tools such as SlashPlan, which simplifies the process by comparing live rates from energy companies and displaying them in a single dashboard. It also calculates the final price for each plan, including any hidden fees, to provide a true apples-to-apples comparison. By using such tools, consumers can confidently shop for the best energy rate available to them.