Problem: Texas residential energy bills have risen by a greater percentage than almost any other state. [1] Electricity prices have shot up faster in Texas than any other state. [2]

Solution:

• Break up the geographic monopolies which have developed in the wholesale electricity market. Attack collusion and the bypass of market domination rules.
• Enforce rules limiting industry lobbying on agency decision makers.
• Educate customers how to shop for fair retail pricing, how to catch and report unfair, anticompetitive practices like “bait and switch”.
• Require PUC review of postings on its own website.
• Prosecute anticompetitive profiteering, deceptive trade practices including scrutiny of terms of service agreements and advertising.
• Enforce roles of Texas Consumer Protection Division and major customers in PUC enforcement, which is notoriously lax. [3]
• Recognize rights of cities, counties, and other entities to bargain for lower prices on behalf of residents. [4]

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[1] Houston Chronicle, March 29, 2009 , “Let cities bargain for cheaper electrical rates with opt-out aggregating” citing CAPP.
[2] Corpus Christi Caller Times, February 12, 2009, “Deregulation Hasn’t’ Brought Cheaper Electricity to Texas” citing Cities Aggregation Power Project.
[3] Houston Chronicle, March 26, 2009, “Let cities and other large electricity buyers help investigate when they’re overcharged.”
[4] Ibid.