Check Out These Useful Utilities Resources as Texas Heats Up

If you live in part of Texas where the electricity market is deregulated, you might find some of these resources helpful as the Texas summer heats up and your utility bills may too.

Power to Choose Website
The Public Utility Commission website provides a listing of the various electricity offers in your area according to zip code.

Public Utility Commission Customer Line, 1-866-PWR-4-TEX (1-866-797-4839)
This Public Utility Commission number was created to assist consumers in getting further information regarding electricity offers available in their area.

LITE-UP Texas, 1-866-454-8387
Many low-income Texans are eligible for discounts on their electric bills. If you are an electric customer and can choose your retail electric provider, there is a low-income discount program called LITE-UP Texas that may assist you.

The Low-Income Electric Discount Program (LITE-UP Texas) provides a discount on electric rates to qualified low income customers. The program is funded through 2010 and will provide discounts to eligible customers in the May, June, July, August and September billing months. The amount of the discount is currently about 20%.

You may be automatically enrolled in the discount program if you already receive certain benefits from the Health and Human Services Commission, such as Food Stamps or Medicaid.

If you believe you are eligible but not currently receiving assistance for this program, please call for more information.

Shopping Tips
Take nothing for granted.  Double-check the terms of the service agreement before saying yes.

Check the rate, the minimum time the rate must be in effect, penalties, and extra fees charged by the Retail Electric Provider.

You have 3 days to rescind the agreement.  Use this right if you think you may have made a mistake.

Problems or Questions?
Call your Retail Electric Provider.

Contact the Public Utility Commission at 1-888-782-8477 and ask to file a complaint.

Send a copy of the complaint to your state representative and state senator. You can look up your state elected officials at http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us.